Silence is golden, but sometimes there’s a soundtrack that’s even better. With holidays on the horizon, we explore 10 of the best songs to travel to. Cast your vote for your favourite.
Whether it’s in the car, on an airplane, or to lull yourself to sleep in an unfamiliar hotel, here’s some music inspo from us to you!
Empire State of Mind – Alicia Keys
Great to travel through Los Angeles to. Just kidding. There’s no better song to land into JFK with than Alicia and Jay Z’s 2009 belter in your earbuds. OK, OK We’ll grant you that Frank’s lil number about eh Big Apple could be a close second. Empire State of Mind was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Song Collaboration. A song which romanticises sirens and concrete jungles enough so that you still want to go there, now that’s a winner. Don’t cross the Brooklyn Bridge without it!
Where the Streets Have No Name – U2
This song’s pretty good for a journey home, be it on the last leg of a roadtrip, or landing back in Australia. Can you believe the film clip was shot in 1987? Fresh-faced Bono and friends filmed their epic video in front of thousands, and with police officers in attendance desperately trying to direct the flow of traffic. A quick view on YouTube shows there’s been about 40 million views before yours. Epic.
Big Jet Plane – Angus and Julia Stone
Sweet and melodic as only Angus and Julia can be, this song is about meeting someone pretty amazing and wanting to run away together but perhaps not being able to. Good soundtrack for your holiday romance, or the promise of finding one. Hey, hey?
Just Keep Walking – INXS
This 1980 song by Aussie legends INXS tells of their early days playing pub gigs and returning home afterwards. It’s a great insight into life on the road, and Australian night life. Fast car driving, seats reclining!
California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas
First released back in 1965, this stone cold classic remains an essential element of any road trip playlist. The moment it starts to play, all your troubles will fade away like the miles behind you on the highway.
London Calling – The Clash
We dare you to visit London and not want to listen to this. This punk classic is so good at capturing the frenetic energy of the city, and how London really could be said to be at the centre of the universe sometimes.
Circle of Life – Carmen Twillie & Lebo M
No African safari would be complete without it! This song from Disney’s animated film The Lion King is like waking up to a jungle of all the world’s most exotic animals – giraffes, big cats, elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebras and all the ancient wonders of the mystical African landscape. That zulu chant is so good, just press repeat already!
Keep the Car Running – Arcade Fire
True to the title, a great little number to accompany your road trip. Maybe through the mountains, over rivers, to first-light or last-light. You’ve got to get to the hotel if it’s the last thing you do!
Take It Easy – The Eagles
There’s no other way to travel than to adopt the lyrics of this Eagles’ tune, and loosen your load. Adventure awaits as soon as you leave the front door, no matter who you meet, so you may as well just roll with it. Classic.
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
This 1975 song by the English rock gods hints at exotic adventure into some far-off horizon. A perfect entry into the deserts of Morocco, and not the Northern Indian Kashmir at all. Regardless, it’s the perfect song to get you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. Robert Plant commented of the song’s inspiration, “It was a single-track road which neatly cut through the desert. Two miles to the east and west were ridges of sand rock. It looked like you were driving down a channel, this dilapidated road, and there was seemingly no end to it.”
Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads
You have no idea where you are, where you’ve come from, what the day never-ending pavement to your wildest adventures!
Got the music, but need the destination? Find your travel spot here.
Image: Beach somewhere – check! Headphones – check!
