Road trips are as old as the highway system. When I have a big road trip coming up, I get excited, especially if it’s to a vacation destination. Not just because I’ll be getting out of Dodge for a while to break the monotony, but it also gives me a chance to enjoy the company of family and friends, or if I’m by myself, to enjoy the time to take in the scenery and relax with my thoughts. Couple this with anticipation of scarfing down some unhealthy but oh-so-yummy car snacks and fast food, and I can’t wait to hit the open road.
Then, of course, there’s the music. What road trip is complete without the jams. They go together like likes and similes. The problem is, as I found out on my most recent excursion, you can’t rely on the radio for variety. At least not terrestrial radio. No matter which station you’re tuned in to, it seems as if they are cycling the same songs. It’s a constant loop of once-great songs that have been—ahem—driven into the ground.
We all have our cringeworthy, not-this-song-again reaction to certain tunes. And I figured since I haven’t done a top 10 list in a while—and I’m sure there are a lot more that can be added—I’d put together my list of most overplayed songs.
- “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John. Me and Susie stopped having fun listening to this relic a long time ago.
- “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. If you sing us a different song, piano man, I promise to put more bread in your jar.
- “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet. How about putting out a last call for this song?
- “Love Shack” by B-52s. Board up this rat hole once and for all.
- “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams. Those may have been the best days of your life, but stop living in your…
- “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen. How fast do I turn off this tune? In the wink of a young girl’s eye.
- “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang. Retiring this song would be reason to celebrate good times.
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Unplugging this song would bring us more than halfway there.
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. From Rocky III, this song is played so often that it makes me wish Klubber Lang KO’d Rocky into retirement.
- “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot. But I must admit, this song still makes me smile every time.
I’m sure there are others. Let me know if I didn’t mention any that are on your list.