Heading out on an adventure or dreaming of skipping town? The road well travelled has long been a source of songwriting inspiration. From the swinging 60s to modern day, the urge to get away from it all has continued to burn bright. So save your pennies, pack a bag and download our playlist and let this be the soundtrack to your next adventure.
Sheryl Crow – ‘Everyday is a Winding Road’
Kicking things off with the high priestess of alternative music, ‘Everyday Is A Winding Road’ is a breezy, optimistic anthem about embracing life’s unpredictable journey and finding joy in the ride. Perfect for cruising with the windows down.
The Go Go’s – ‘Vacation’
Los Angeles rockers The Go Go’s deliver a peppy, bittersweet tune about escaping on a holiday to forget a lost love—only to realise the memories follow you wherever you go.
Fleetwood Mac – ‘Go Your Own Way’
A passionate breakup anthem about independence, moving forward, and the freedom to choose your own path, even when it means leaving someone behind.
Mitski – ‘Texas Reznikoff’
‘Texas Reznikoff is a beautiful, building love song about feeling trapped in a city but ultimately, home being where your lover is. The title is a reference to New York poet, Charles Reznikoff.
Dolly Parton – ‘Travelin’ Thru’
God bless Dolly Parton. Here, the queen of country meditates on life as a winding journey, full of trials, faith, and the search for meaning beyond the road ahead.
Patti Smith – ‘Free Money’
It’s hard to believe this song is in its 50th year but then Patti Smith has always been timeless. ‘Free Money’ is a poetic dream of escaping poverty and limitations, yearning for a life of adventure, freedom, and the chance to start fresh.
Blondie – ‘Island of Lost Souls’
A tropical, reggae-infused tale of running away to an island paradise, shedding the weight of everyday life for an exotic escape.
Taylor Swift – ‘Getaway Car’
For this ‘Reputation’ track, Taylor Swift embodies a fictional character to tell a cinematic, fast-paced story about reckless love, betrayal, and the thrill of escaping into the unknown with no plan but forward.
Lana Del Rey – ‘Ride’
You can always rely on Lana for a dose of Americana and what captures the American West better than a good old open-road song? With a video featuring LDR on the back of a Harley, ‘Ride’ is a sweeping ballad about feeling lost, embracing a restless spirit, and surrendering to the journey wherever it may lead.
The Chicks – ‘Wide Open Spaces’
An anthem for young women seeking adventure, independence, and the thrill of wide, uncharted landscapes.
Björk – ‘Wanderlust’
Björk was singing about Wanderlust long before it was an Instagram hashtag.This song from 2007 is cinematic, experimental track about a restless soul drawn to the unknown, forever seeking.
Carly Rae Jepsen – ‘Run Away With Me’
“Run Away With Me” begs CRJ on this euphoric, synth-driven love song that feels like a spontaneous road trip with your crush.
Lorde – ‘Royals’
A young Lorde sings about leaving New Zealand behind and getting on a plane for the first time in mega-hit ‘Royals’. Is the good life all it’s cracked up to be?
AURORA – ‘Running With The Wolves’
‘The sky’s open wide / There is nowhere for you to hide”: Only baby Aurora could write a mystical, wild-spirited song about breaking free and embracing primal adventure.
Neko Case – ‘Train From Kansas City’
A cover of a Shangri-Las track, this haunting country tune, sung here by Neko Case, is about saying goodbye to a love before boarding a train to a new beginning.
The Japanese House – ‘Sunshine Baby’
“Sitting in the back seat, driving with my sunshine baby” sings Amber Bain on ‘Sunshine Baby’ – a dreamy, sun-soaked reflection on love, distance, and the nostalgia of past travels.
Adrianne Lenker – ‘Indiana’
The Big Thief frontwoman pens a wistful, road-weary folk song about being on the move, feeling disconnected, and searching for meaning while traveling through different places. The lyrics capture the freedom and loneliness of the open road, with vivid imagery of gas stations, motels, and endless highways. It’s a song about both escaping and longing for home.
Boygenius – ‘Leonard Cohen’
A genuine and beautiful friendship is at the foundation of Boygenius’ magic, and on ‘Leonard Cohen’ the trio take a road trip together, sharing their favourite songs as they drive, in the wrong direction down the freeway.
Charli XCX – ‘Vroom Vroom’
“Bitches know they can’t catch me”. The song that introduced Charli XCX fans to a whole new sound and the start of her hyperpop journey, the SOPHIE-produced ‘Vroom Vroom’ is a fun, sexy track about getting in your car and driving fast.
