Thursday 16 February 2012

Travel Music


There have been a zillion articles written about finding that ultimate travel playlist. The one to listen to while you're driving with the roof back down the 101, or as you walk through the airport when you first arrive in Australia, or as you're sitting on the edge of the boat on the way to Koh Phi Phi. Here are my absolute favourite travel tunes.


Alexi Murdoch - Orange Sky
This is a gorgeous laid back folk song, perfect for just chilling out on a beach, watching the sun go down with people you love. Here's a beautiful video shot by someone living in Vancouver, of what looks like the most unbelievable sunset in the world. It has inspired me to add Vancouver to my list of places to spend time in.


Eddie Vedder - Music for the Motion Picture Into The Wild
WOW, just wow. There's no way of choosing a few tracks to recommend from this album, the whole thing is just genius. This soundtrack is the most perfect collection of songs ever written for a film. It is a rare instance where the film may even be better than the book, with a lot of help from Mr Vedder.



Phantom Planet - California
Old fans of The O.C will remember this one. Once that piano melody hits at the very start, you just imagine yourself driving down the 101 highway, without a care in the world. "On the stereo, listen as we go, nothing's gonna stop me now, California here we come."


Morcheeba - The Sea
I highly recommend the entire "Parts of the Process" album by Morcheeba as part of a travel playlist. This track is particularly chilled, perfect for kicking back on the beach and soaking up the atmosphere.

Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
There are three songs about New York City that I love. This is one of them. Imagine yourself walking up the steps from the subway and seeing the architecture of Manhattan for the very first time with this song playing in your ears. Incredible.

Billy Joel - New York State of Mind
Written by Billy Joel upon his return to his native New York City after spending three years in Los Angeles, this is one of my favourite songs of all time. The beautiful saxophone solos and heartwarming lyrics make this a wonderful piece of music to listen to, whether you're in New York City or just sitting at home. You might find yourself booking a plane ticket though. "I'm in a New York State of Mind."



Jem - Just a Ride
This really is a jem of a song. Taking inspiration from the legendary stand up bit of the late great Bill Hicks. Here's the original quote from the man himself.


Bob Marley - Redemption Song
This song. So simple and beautiful. When I listen to this, I want to just sit around a campfire, eat banana pancakes, drink a Chang, forget about material shit and war and discrimination and just embrace the incredible beauty of the world we live in.

Joe Purdy - Wash Away (Reprise)
I discovered this song when I was watching an episode of Lost one day. It can't be that bad to be stuck on a desert island, right?


Alexi Murdoch - All My Days
Another beautiful laid back folk song from Alexi Murdoch. "I have been searching all of my days, all of my days. Many a road, you know, I've been walking on, all of my days." Perfect for sitting back and taking in the beauty of the world, and realising how lucky you really are.

Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
A classic. Not a song massively about travel, more about life. Taken from a column article written by Mary Schmich for the Chicago Tribune in 1997 called "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young." I'll let you listen for yourself to realise how great the message is.



Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
Well, how could this not be here? The title track off my favourite RHCP album. As soon as I hear it, I just want to be out in the ocean surfing, with this playing down from speakers in the sky.

Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Mine and my sister's song! We've driven around in her car in our home town many times with this blasting from the CD player, singing our hearts out. I fell in love with it after watching Almost Famous, about a young high-school kid travelling around the USA with a band on tour. A brilliant car journey song. Try it.


Jet - Move On
A band from Melbourne. They mention Flinders Street Station in this particular song, this is where I got off the bus when I first arrived in Melbourne so it reminds me a lot of being there. "You should be happy just to be alive." A wonderful, meaningful track, this is the song to listen to when you first land in Australia.

John Mayer - Where The Light Is: Live In Los Angeles
Another entire album... When my sister and I drove up part of the Southern California coast from San Diego to Los Angeles, I stumbled upon this CD in a massive Walmart during a stop for roadtrip food. I think the only songs I'd heard by Mayer were "Waiting on the World to Change" and his popular cover of "Free Fallin'." On the merit of these brilliant songs, I bought it and it has become my favourite album of all time. Each time I listen to it, I'm transported back to that roadtrip and filled with joy. You'd think after listening to it so much for three days straight I'd hate it, but no, I absolutely love the entire thing from start to finish- and always will.

All Saints - Pure Shores
THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL TUNE. Probably most recognisable from The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. As soon as I hear that first beat, a smile comes across my face and I feel as though I'm right back in Thailand. "Take me to my beach..."


More unbelievably good songs that should be included in any decent travel playlist...
Rascal Flatts - Life is a Highway
The Cinematic Orchestra - To Build a Home
Eagles - Hotel California
Joe Purdy - San Jose
Joe Purdy - I Love the Rain
Keane - Walnut Tree
The Jazzual Suspects - This Beat
Gareth Dunlop - Dreamers
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car 
Patrick Watson - The Great Escape 
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
Damien Rice - Coconut Skins
Sara Bareilles - Many the Miles
Bright Eyes - Another Travelin' Song
Roger Miller - King of the Road
Youth Group - Forever Young 
Frank Turner - The Road
Patrick Park - Something Pretty
Fleetwood Mac - Landslide
Death Cab for Cutie - Summer Skin
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
Kings Of Leon - Back Down South
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Around the World
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Road Trippin'
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Soul to Squeeze
Frank Sinatra - New York, New York
Groove Armada - At The River
Moby - Porcelain
Jackie Greene - Travelin' Song

Happy travels!

1 comment:

  1. Love this.. Big shout on Frank Turner, Alexi Murdoch and Patrick Watson

    ReplyDelete