Even if you're one of the lucky ones who loves your job, getting on the road every morning with thousands of other drivers all trying to balance shaving and polishing off a breakfast burrito isn't easy. The stop and go, getting cut off, and being honked at when it totally wasn't your fault can put the most positive people in the wrong frame of mind for starting the work day. And getting back home is no walk in the park, either (if your daily commute does involve a walk in the park perhaps you're already in a calmer state of mind). Either you can learn meditation techniques in Burma from a Buddhist Monk or you can just listen to your favorite driving songs that soothe, inspire and make you want to sing along like an idiot. You can deny you sing along to music in the car all you want (we know the truth), but we're sure you won’t deny that the following ten songs are a terrific remedy for workday stresses.
Best Driving Songs
“Let it Be”—The Beatles
A truly beautiful melody mixed with a sentiment so timeless and universal that this Beatles classic is the cure for anyone who feels like they are powerless over a workplace issue. As the song says, most often it’s wisest to just “Let it Be.”
“What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You (Stronger)”—Kelly Clarkson
At work, as in life, there will always be people and situations that test us, but this empowering anthem from Kelly Clarkson is uniquely soothing in that it reminds you every challenge we face is a learning experience that affords us strength and eventually peace.
“9 to 5”—Dolly Parton
The most fun song ever written about getting to work, this Dolly Parton song’s introduction really says it all. “Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen/pour myself a cup of ambition, yawn and stretch and try to come to life/Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumping, out on the streets the traffic starts jumping with folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.”
“You Gotta Be”—Des’ree
This song may be stuck in the 1990’s but no one is immune to the sage advice and calming vocals in this Des’ree one hit wonder.
“Take it Easy”—The Eagles
Now this song is stuck in the 1970’s, but upon hearing it recently on the radio we understood why this song and this band truly dominated music in that decade. And as the song says, “don’t let the wheels drive you crazy.”
“Wide Awake”—Katy Perry
Before operating any motor vehicle do make sure that you are “Wide Awake” by listening to some Top 40. And nothing is more Top 40 than Katy Perry.
“Thank You”—Alanis Morissette
We don’t understand why she thanks India, either, but being reminded to be grateful for what you have is a notion not usually found in popular music. Or on your daily commute.
“Don’t Stop Believin’”—Journey
If you don’t know this song clearly you have never turned on the audio system in your automobile so we will just remind everyone else to never stop believing that you can achieve your dreams. Also, never stop believing that Steve Perry wore really, really tight pants when he was the lead singer for Journey which must have made singing difficult.
“Don’t Know Why”—Norah Jones
So sue us for still loving Norah Jones, this song may be played in many elevators but you never hear about elevator rage incidents erupting despite some of them moving slower than LA traffic at 5 o’clock on a Friday. We don’t think that’s a coincidence.
“To Make You Feel My Love”—Adele
This song, written by Bob Dylan, is interpreted beautifully by Adele. But we think the words in a Chinese restaurant take out menu would sound beautiful if sung by this talented British songstress.
And because we're cool, here are two bonus songs:
“Midnight Train to Georgia”—Gladys Knight and the Pips
A classic 1960’s Soul favorite, this song is relaxed and harkens back to a time when a female vocalist could have three male back-up singers and get away with it.
“C’mon”—Ke$ha
This track may seem like an odd choice, what with its ridiculously silly lyrics, infectious bubblegum beat and that silly dollar sign in Ke$ha’s name. Oh wait, that totally explains why we like this song! “C’mon” and get to work! Or home... wherever it is your journey takes you.
Image courtesy of NPR.