The Eighth Nerve

Classic Quote

In short there was a higher per capita percentage of interesting people there than almost anywhere on earth, but the population was small, which meant not too many interesting people.

- John Ashbery, from his poem "Interesting People of Newfoundland"

Search the Nerve

How They Rate

Genre Cloud

Latest Articles

Best of the Decade: 2000-09 [Added Dec 31]

20 Best of 2009 [Added Dec 26]

Most Memorable Concerts [Added Dec 22]

If Musicians Played Cars Would They Sing About Guitars? Vol. 1

Is there anything more American than rock and roll? Okay, more American than apple pie, baseball, corporate greed and rock and roll? Yes, the automobile, as evidenced by the insane culture we’ve built around it (says the very sane man who would sooner undergo elective surgery than sell his ‘88 Landcruiser). We love our cars so much that sometimes we just have to sing songs about them and the world of back-roads and cup-holders we’ve built to keep them happy.

There is so much material on the subject, in fact, that I’ve had to break the list into sub-categories and omit numerous excellent songs by bands who have made the Car Song their bread and butter. Thanks to Cake, Modest Mouse, Gearhead Records and the entire country music industry for devoting a disproportionate amount of time and energy to Cars and Driving. This one's for you!

Vol. 1: Classic Models

1. "Panama" Van Halen
2. "Drive My Car" Beatles
3. "King of the Road" Roger Miller
4. "On the Road Again" Willie Nelson
5. "Low Rider" War
6. "Highway to Hell" AC-DC
7. "Cars" Gary Numan
8. "Little Deuce Coup" Beach Boys
9. "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" Bobby Troupe
10. "Red Barchetta" Rush
11. "Old '55" Tom Waits
12. "Highway Kind" Townes Van Zandt
13. “Thunder Road” Bruce Springsteen
14. "Drive" The Cars
15. "Truckin" Grateful Dead
16. "Down the Highway" Bob Dylan
17. "I Can't Drive 55" Sammy Hagar
18. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" John Denver
19. "Rockin' Down the Highway" Doobie Brothers
20. “Brand New Cadillac” The Clash

Lists are culled from my personal library and reflect what I listen to, so there are likely to be a few key omissions. If you feel I have overlooked something of great importance or have given your favorite artist short shrift I'd love to hear about it. Better yet, send me the album.