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I drive a lot. Not as much as I used to, but since I still have 11 miles to work 5 days a week, that leaves a lot of time for listening to music.

With my iPod, I have access to everything in my car. On longer trips, that tends to be podcasts like Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me and This American Life, episodes of The Onion Radio News or more thoughtful music like John Coltrane's Coltrane Plays the Blues.

But this post isn't about that kind of stuff. It's about music for driving that is driving. This list is anything but complete, and I reserve the right to add to it as I see fit...

Be My Yoko Ono - Barenaked Ladies
Frenetic and crazy. The whole thing is a big joke, but the best joke may be that the chord progression is the same as that in the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hears Club Band. The original on Gordon is great but I bought a wild impromptu version that they did for a special iTunes release that is just plain odd.

Sabotage - The Beastie Boys
If the Beastie Boys wrote a theme song for a 1970's cop drama, this would be it (kind of like in the video for the song).

Uncle Walter - Ben Folds Five
When Ben is just plain banging on the piano, you're in for a real treat. From the band's self titled first album, this song is a real gem that most people haven't heard.

But Anyway - Blues Traveler
If I practiced 20 hours a day, I'd never have the incredible speed of John Popper. This was the first Blues Traveler track I ever heard, the band playing it on Letterman about 20 years ago. I was stunned.

Subterranean Homesick Blues - Bob Dylan
You can't beat the classics...

Satisfaction (I Can't Get No)- Devo
Yes, Devo. The original is great, but when driving, I'll take the Devo version.

Elvis Is Everywhere - Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper
"Michael J. Fox has no Elvis in him..."

Happy Birthday, Mr Burns - The Ramones (on The Simpsons)
"Have the Rolling Stones killed..."

Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight - Spinal Tap
Maybe the band's most serious song... which isn't saying much...

Burning Down The House - Talking Heads
The Live Version from Stop Making Sense. I always though this would be a kickass marching band tune.

So Far - Sue Foley
From the album Time Bomb. Gotta keep an eye on he speed when this one comes on.

Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies
A hold over from my college radiodays.

The Road - Tenacious D
"Met a tasty baby in Michigan..."

Bob - "Weird Al" Yankovic
A brilliant reworking of Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues in which every line is a palindrome.

Common People - William Shatner featuring Joe Jackson
Where the HELL did this come from?

One Word Whisper - Abby Someone
Maybe a little on the smooth side for this list, but, undeniably, it works

Just A Toy - Barenaked Ladies
Easily BNL's best electric track.

Rockin' The Suburbs - Ben Folds
Until the release of this album, I assumed that Ben Folds Five was greater than the sum of its parts. The Rockin' The Suburbs album made me realize that Ben is a fucking genius.

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band
How could driving music possibly be better than this? That intro alone...

What Would Brian Boitano Do - DVDA
"I've never seen a man eat so many chicken wings..."

Junk Town - Heeler
The track that inspired this list. I work with the guitarist. Really, check this out.

Walking The Ceiling - Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers
Old school Chicago blue instrumental. Hound Dog once said, "When I die they'll say 'he couldn't play shit, but he made it sound good.'"

Anti Love Song - Patient 957
I know it's vain, but the harmonica part kicks ass!

Second Voyage Of Noah's Ark - James Harman Band
A great song, but the harmonica solo blows me away every time.

Cuttin' Out - John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat
Rocking bass line, heavy harp and Hook, the coolest guy who ever walked the earth...

Rock Lobster - The B-52's
That schmaltzy organ just does it for me.

Brass Monkey The Beastie Boys
"I got the bottle, you got the cup, come on everybody let's get... Brass Monkey!"

Torqueflite 727 - James Harman Band
The great thing abi=out an instrumental is that you can name it anything you want. A Torqueflite 727 is a push-button transmission.

Gucci Gucci Man - Sugar Blue
More harmoncia stuff. I won't bore you...

BOJ

Labels: Lists