MAZD for Sale (Sorry, the "A" Fell Off)
BEST CAR SONGS
I've never owned a car built in the current decade. When I got my driver's license in 1987, I drove a beige '79 Toyota Tercel with a broken gas gauge (a guessing game I lost on several occasions). In college in the '90s, I drove an '84 VW.
My current car is a Mazda 626 from '96. I bought it for $3500 right before Kid Lulu was born three years ago -- it's a boring car, but it drove the fam from D.C. to FLA with a minimum amount of smoke and whine, so for that I'm thankful.
But these days, after more than 170,000 miles, the MAZD is having trouble. It mostly sounds like an old man struggling to get off the couch, and has been known to scare young children with its random squeals and groans. So I'm looking for a new used car. I've given up on owning anything with pizzazz. But something made in 2000 would be cool.
In the meantime, let's do a list of the BEST CAR SONGS. This is a MASSIVE topic, but let's take her for a spin...
Here's a start...
1.) Greased Lightning -- John Travolta
2.) Cadillac Ranch -- Bruce Springsteen
3.) Little Deuce Coupe -- the Beach Boys
4.) Low Rider -- War
5.) Cars -- Gary Numan
6.) Rumble Seat -- John Mellencamp
7.) Route 66 -- Chuck Berry
8.) Brand New Cadillac -- the Clash
9.) Drive My Car -- the Beatles
10.) Mustang Sally -- Wilson Pickett
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
How about "Willie The Wimp"?
Posted by: Lisa Gallman | May 30, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Oops! Forgot to mention its by numberous people; however, the best one I've heard is by Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Posted by: Lisa Gallman | May 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
My favorite car song (and incidentally, my favorite driving song) is Charlie Daniels' "Uneasy Rider".
Posted by: Max | May 30, 2007 at 02:22 PM
SD: Maybe you should trade in the MAZD for a Schwin 10 speed; better gas mileage and better for your mass.
Posted by: ClayFan | May 30, 2007 at 02:37 PM
At the moment, my favorite would be "Cadillac," a duet Keller Williams did with Bob Weir on Keller's most recent album. I'm sure I'll come up with more...
My first car, by the way, was a 1981 Ford Pinto -- one of the non-exploding models.
Posted by: Uncle Crappy | May 30, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Trampled Under Foot - Led Zeppelin (listen to the lyrics, which I know are metaphors for sex. But still...)
Mary's New Car - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Turn This Car Around - Tom Petty
Posted by: Mike | May 30, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Wow, UC, you're always one step ahead of the Reaper.
Here's three more car tunes just to keep the juices flowing:
"92 Subaru" -- Fountains of Wayne
"Drivin' My Life Away" -- Eddie Rabbitt
"Little Red Corvette" -- Prince
Posted by: Sean Daly | May 30, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Piece of S*** Car by Adam Sandler, hands down
Posted by: | May 30, 2007 at 06:08 PM
I'm sure you remember (a) the guy who gased up the Tercel by college park(possibly class of '85 and tennis team, maybe named Sean Sailor) and (b) his quotable, but evidentally forgettable, one-liner while troubleshooting the problem.
Or maybe it was just that you insisted you had half a tank?
Posted by: ForgetfulCohe | May 31, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Driving In My Car - Madness
Posted by: VBH | May 31, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Trans Am - Sammy Hagar
Posted by: sparky | May 31, 2007 at 08:44 AM
"Don't Crash the Car Tonight" by Mary's Danish
Posted by: Walter Cox | May 31, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Here's one for the FF, Don't Take My Car Out Tonight - The Hooters
Posted by: sparky | May 31, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Pink Cadillac by Aretha Franklin definitely rates
Posted by: Jeff S | May 31, 2007 at 02:08 PM
My favorite car song...
"Bitchin' Camaro" by the Dead Milkmen. How can you not love a song with thrash guitars and the lines "Bitchin' Camaro/Bitchin' Camaro/I ran over my neighbors" and "If I happen to run you down/please don't leave a scratch". Classic.
Sherrie
Posted by: Sherrie | May 31, 2007 at 10:02 PM
I agree with Uncle Crappy! "Cadillac" by Keller Williams w/ Bobby Weir is an awesome driving song. Nothing like sharing a ride in a '59 Caddie with Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Allah and Santa Claus !! Another great one is "Go Faster" by The Black Crowes. "Escalade" by The Gourds is a good kick back cruisin tune!
Posted by: DexterLou | June 01, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Love the Uneasy Rider suggestion. "I was too busy movin' and hopin I didn't run out of luck.." to think of that.
I will add one to the list though: Low Rider by War
Posted by: Kerry | June 01, 2007 at 10:58 AM
D'oh!
Just noticed it's already there.
Knew it was a good one.
Posted by: Kerry | June 01, 2007 at 10:59 AM
D'oh!
Just noticed it's already there.
Knew it was a good one.
Posted by: Kerry | June 01, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Here is a list of car songs I grew up with.
409.
GTO.
Drag City.
Little old lady from Pasadena.
Shut down.
Hot Rod Lincoln.
Beep Beep.
Posted by: bob welter | June 01, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Rearviewmirror - Pearl Jam
Drive - Incubus
Both use the car as a metaphor for taking charge of your own destiny. And are perfect for a long, reflective drive out to BFE.
Posted by: James Etling | August 04, 2007 at 12:07 AM