Road Trip

I don't have a car so i'm hopelessly deficient in one of my favorite summer activities: road trips. I love them because you get to see cool stuff, hang out with one or more of your favorite people, and get into mischief in places where no one knows you.

I also love road trips because it involves my all time favorite thing: music.

NPR has been doing a series this summer on music to listen to on various types of vehicular adventures. Check it out here. I haven't loved all their recommendations, but I'm looking forward to their upcoming Hip Hop trip mix on August 19.

In the meantime, I'd like to (in a very AreSeven style) highlight a few songs i would bring on a road trip if i got to go on them.

1. Need Some More by The Brand New Heavies
Music is getting more and more uninspiring by the minute, especially most of the shit you hear on the radio. I like when a band acknowledges that some music sucks but that you can count on them to not suck. Also, I like the bit about music brightening up the dullest life. Indeed.


2. Fake is the New Real by Alice Smith
Can i get this on a t-shirt? She's brilliant and mega-talented, as usual.


3. King Without a Crown (Live at Stubbs) by Matisyahu
This very Jewish white dude can unexpectedly rock beatbox and reggae like i've never seen before. Meant to be a religious ballad, I like it better if I pretend he's talking about my future soul mate.


4. Me Voy by Julieta Venegas
A recommendation from my Nomadic Librarian, this song is the perfect sing-along song, even if you don't know Spanish. See the video if you want to love it more.


5. Music is My Hot, Hot Sex by CSS
Music really is my boyfriend...in fact the only one i've had in a while. He makes me infinitely happy and always has interesting things to say. He always wants to hang out with me and dance or just chill out. He always touches me in the right places. I think i'm in love.


6. Bananas Pancakes by Jack Johnson
To me, Jack Johnson sounds like warm weather and green grass and your arm around someone and the last bit of sun in a day...like easy happiness. Like tickling someone with a daisy. Like looking up into leafy tree branches. Ok, enough. But, it does make me happy and everyone in the car will no doubt like it.


7. Slow Dance by John Legend
I like this song because his voice resonates in the most lovely way. And because sometimes you just have to let the music soothe your soul and dance with your man.


8. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
This song is so dang fun to sing along with, especially the part when he says, "Scootch on over closer dear and i'll nibble your ear." Sing on, brother!


9. Picture Me Rollin' by Tupac
Guess who's back? I only included this song because I had so much fun pretending to be a P.I.M.P. on a very rare invitation i recently had to Philly. There is just something about cruising down New York Ave. with the windows down acting way tougher than i really am (and have the other person in the car think it is cool too.)


10. Bohemian Like You by The Dandy Warhols
Just because it should be on every road trip play list.


P.S. Most of my friends know that i am a bit anxious in this wacko East Coast traffic (I've nearly bailed out of my seat on I-95 several times). But, i plan on getting a prescription of Valium so that I'll be a better passenger and, ulimately, get more invitations for car rides.