Sound of the Highway: 11 Perfect Tracks for Your US Road Trip
If there’s one thing we all know about the US, it’s this: the scale of the place is incredible. Not to mention inspiring and just a little overwhelming at times.
Of course, for most Europeans a trip to the States means the country’s largest city, New York. Geographically convenient, just a ‘quick’ hop over the Pond from the UK and Portugal on the mainland, everyone should see the Big Apple at least once in their life if only to marvel at how loud it is. Beyond volume and between the Five Boroughs there’s enough to keep you occupied forever in the town that never sleeps, so it’s little wonder nowhere else on the East Coast really gets a look in for overseas visitors. Unless you head south.
Florida, the Sunshine State, or God’s Waiting Room depending on how cynical you feel, attracts the second highest number of foreign tourists into the US each year, largely drawn to Miami’s beaches and keys, Walt Disney World and other theme parks in the area. Then in third place we have Los Angeles, and California. But making a beeline for any of these destinations kind of misses the point of travelling a nation with six time zones and around 2,800 miles to discover between East and West coasts.
This vast and, for the most part, sparsely populated expanse of small cities, smaller towns and jaw-dropping vistas across unbelievable landscapes has always been best explored at a slower pace. In 1903, the hilariously named Horatio Nelson Jackson — no relation to the British admiral — drove his dog, Bud, and mechanic pal Sewall Crock straight across this Big Country. It took the team 63 days to complete what is believed to be the very first coast-to-coast US road trip. Since then, the term has come to invoke open highways, strange motels, and a sense of unadulterated freedom and space people in the Old World can only dream of. But with so much ground to cover you’re going to need some tunes, so here’s what to play, and where, once your interstate odyssey begins.
West Coast
Seattle, Washington
Nirvana Come As You Are
Plenty has changed about the Pacific Northwest since Kurt Cobain and Co catapulted a nascent regional sound, grunge, into the global rock conscience. Nevertheless, ‘Come As You Are’ still hits hard.
Los Angeles, California
The Beach Boys Surfin’ USA
Few things scream “Highway 1” more than the opening guitar twang on The Beach Boys’ third single. This song literally coined the term ‘surf rock’ and is dedicated to California, so if you’re passing through…
Sacramento, California
The Steam Machine Home to Sacramento
A cult hit in the early 1970s, The Steam Machine couldn’t sell Sacramento to us any harder. And California’s capital, AKA the City of Trees, doesn’t disappoint — great culture, fascinating history, and Über laidback.
West Hollywood, California
Pink Pony Club & Chappell Roan Pink Pony Club
Situated in the heart of LA’s biggest LGBTQIA+ scene, on Santa Monica Boulevard, The Abbey is the kind of bar that makes such an impression people write songs about it. Like this one penned by Chappell Roan.
Yosemite Mariposa County, California
Molly Tuttle Yosemite
With her timeless banjo and flatpicking guitar skills, Molly Tuttle is an icon of contemporary Californian country music, and the only artist to play as you roll into the most famous National Park in the States.
West
Las Vegas, Nevada
Steve Miller Band Space Cowboy
What with the whole ‘are there alien corpses in a CIA facility’ question still hanging over Nevada, and half of Las Vegas looking and acting like it just landed from another planet, what else would you listen to?
Aspen, Colorado
John Denver Rocky Mountain High
Arguably the most renowned ski resort in the US, Aspen is blessed with a lush position up in the spectacular Rocky Mountains, famously adored by the one and only John Denver. Here’s his finest ode to the scenery.
Denver, Colorado
Jack Harlow Denver
If John Denver didn’t convince you that Colorado calls a spade a spade, Jack Harlow might with this beautiful tribute to the the Mile High City (a reference to its altitude, not mid-flight copulation).
South
Houston, Texas
Beyoncé Texas Hold‘em
Houston’s favourite daughter, Beyoncé ditched her glossy production and pop-R&B sensibilities for this tribute to the town that made her, and the grit and pride that comes with living in the southern States.
Winslow, Arizona
The Eagles Take It Easy
If you’re driving through Arizona the top had better be down because there’s a very good chance you’ll be hitting Route 66 at some point. Can you imagine anything else being on the radio when you do?
East
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bob Dylan Lo & Behold!
“I come into Pittsburgh / At 6:30 flat / I found myself a vacant seat / And I put down my hat.” America’s most famous folk hero should always welcome you to Pennsylvania’s second city, no matter the time of day.