Top 10 Songs for Your Bridgehampton Road Rally Playlist
Everyone knows that driving and good music go together like peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, tequila and lime—and every other inseparable pair. Each driver/navigator team will surely have a soundtrack in mind for the Bridgehampton Road Rally and Tour d’Hamptons drives, leaving the Bridgehampton Museum grounds starting at noon on Saturday, October 10—but we couldn’t resist sharing a few must-listen songs for what might very well be the most important playlist of the season.
Tell us what you’re playing on Saturday through Facebook, Twitter or in the comments below.
For more info about the Bridgehampton Road Rally and Tour d’Hamptons, including how to register, visit BridgehamptonRally.com.
“In the Mood” by Glenn Miller
Travel back to the big band era with its most beloved bandleader and hit-maker, Glen Miller. His most famous arrangement, 1939’s “In the Mood,” might just be the perfect tune for cruising the Hamptons at a leisurely pace in a classic car of the same era.
“Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
Any song that starts with “Get your motor running” and “head out on the highway” has to be included on a list of driving songs. There’s a reason “Born to Be Wild” was so suited for the opening sequence of Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, the seminal 1969 film about rebellion, motorcycles and the open road. Taking a tip from Peter Fonda and tossing your watch before the trip might not be advisable though, if you have any interest in winning this year’s time challenge.
“The Passenger” by Iggy Pop
A song to recognize the navigators of our Bridgehampton Road Rally teams, Iggy Pop’s 1977 song “The Passenger” is about a punk rocker gliding through life, but it could easily be about enjoying a drive through one’s favorite cities or towns—in this case, the Hamptons. It’s got a great rhythm that’s made for tooling around our many beautiful highways and byways.
“Life in the Fast Lane” by The Eagles
From The Eagles’ iconic 1979 album Hotel California, this is the story of a couple living on the edge, but there’s nothing wrong with taking the title literally and accepting it as a song about driving fast in the lane where one is supposed to do said driving. No Road Rally playlist would be complete without this classic.
“Pink Cadillac” by Elvis Presley
If ever there was an enduring love song about a particular car, “Pink Cadillac” is it. Elvis bought his first Caddy, a pink 1954 Fleetwood Series 60, in 1955 and the song it inspired, produced the same year, brought it to a place of legend in the American car and music lexicon. Whether you’re a Cadillac driver or not, this belongs on every road-ready playlist.
“One Piece at a Time” by Johnny Cash
Recorded by Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three in 1976, “One Piece at a Time” is another Cadillac-inspired song made for driving our South Fork roads. A fun “talking blues” tune about an assembly line worker building a car from stolen parts, one piece at a time, has an easy tempo and tells a good story to keep drivers entertained. Besides, what could be cooler than a “psychobilly Cadillac?”
“Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna
Bringing things a bit more contemporary, Rihanna’s “Shut Up and Drive” from her 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad, is a high energy song that gets right to the point. Take everything else away, and the Bridgehampton Road Rally is all about putting rubber to the road.
“Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane
There’s something a little corny about Tom Cochrane’s 1991 hit, but it’s endlessly catchy and upbeat. That’s probably why it ended up so overplayed. But Still, it’s hard to deny the fun, energetic and happy vibe to this driving anthem. When listening on Saturday, just remember the Bridgehampton Road Rally is not about speed, so fight the urge to push the pedal, slow down and enjoy at a medium pace.
“King of the Road” Roger Miller
This 1964 ditty is about the life of a hobo who revels in the freedom that comes with his lack of wealth or material things. It might not be emblematic of our Road Rally participants, but it makes an excellent driving song. Create your own context for the lyrics and take pleasure in knowing you, too, can be king of the road, albeit in a different sort of way.
“Cars” Gary Numan
“Here in my car; I feel safest of all; I can lock all my doors; It’s the only way to live; In cars.” What else is there to say? This 1979 gem celebrates the four-wheeled machines that are bringing us together at the Bridgehampton Road Rally on Saturday. It’s atmospheric and cool with a driving bass line built for forward motion along the road.