Music in journey – Part 1

Music has a strong ability to inspire and communicate and it has always been one of the best friend to “travel” with our mind when we want to be free from everyday stress, relax the body and mind or recover energy. This wonderful way of expressing ourselves is not only entertainment, but also allows us to understand distant countries and cultures, fix images and memories by acting as the soundtrack of moments of life, or tickle thoughts and emotions. Who hasn’t relived a journey, an event, a relationship, anything through a song? Who says no, he is a liar!

Whether they are songs in its own language or foreign, their lyrics speak to us of departure and arrival, or simply wink perfectly at the travel theme. I have collected 20 iconic songs starting from the 60s and reaching the present day, drawing on international music and a couple of gems of Italian music and I divided them into two parts. Here is the first part of this music journey:

Hotel California – Eagles

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Homonym of the Eagles album, it is a song that is part of the history of American and world music. The “Rolling Stones” magazine certified it as the 49th rock song among the 500 of all time. The song is about an imaginary journey to this hotel that represents the American dream in its hedonistic side. A dream that becomes a place where you can get lost but also find yourself. Imagine then driving on one of the best freeways in the United States, perhaps in the desert, driving south, there will be no better soundtrack!

Follow the sun – Xavier Rudd

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In 2014, the Australian singer and lyricist Xavier Rudd updated and adapted the theme introduced and interpreted by the hippies in the 60s: respect for the environment, return to nature and a simpler lifestyle. Pursuing a path that moves away from oppressive materialism. The rhythm of the acoustic guitar, the passionate voice, the sounds and tones typical of folk make it one of the most suitable modern music to listen to while traveling. Poetic singing and meditation will make you feel at ease with the world.

Africa – Toto

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One of the timeless songs. Released in 1982 and is still one of the most listened songs in the world. Since its release, it has been performed by countless artists and has been used as a soundtrack for movies, video games (GTA) and cartoons (American Dad and Family Guy to name a few). The song is about love for girls, but there are so many references to the African continent that the German artist Max Siedentopf created in 2017 a sound installation in Namibia, on the desert, which continuously plays this piece of art of our history.

Rocket Man – Elton John

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As space missions raged and interest in the planets of the solar system reached its peak, the British singer and lyricist released “Rocketman”. This is an astronaut’s confession about his fears of something that is infinitely greater than him, like the universe. Elton John wrote this romantic ballad on a road trip of his own. It is a track that cannot be missing in a travel playlist, no matter where you plan to go.

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynryd Skynryd

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This is one of the songs that everyone knows, which makes you want to listen to it all the time. Published in the United States by Lynryd Skynryd in 1974, its birth was actually a response to a couple of songs by Neil Young let’s say disrespectful towards the south and especially Alabama. In the text, in addition to responding to Young, the beauty of the Cotton State is remembered as well as its blue sky and its atmosphere. Used in movies, video games, TV series, this is definitely a certified travel song.

Chan Chan – Buena Vista Social Club

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A few seconds of listening and the sound of this song recorded by Compay Segundo in 1982 will take you to Cuba, among the streets of Havana, between cigars and alcohol. “Chan Chan” embarks on a poetic and melancholy journey in the style of Son (local music in the 1920s). Accompanied by the Buena Vista Social Club Band, here is proposing simple lyrics and popular instruments (such as guitar, maracas and bongo drums), and this song has become a true manifesto of the Caribbean islands.

Intro – XX

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Could an indie band’s first album (mostly recorded in a garage) give us such a wonderful song? Yes, “Intro” can do that. I decided to include this song because it recalls suspended atmospheres, dream travels and stimulating life scenes. About 2 minutes of sounds and words that fascinate in an ever greater crescendo. It became the soundtrack of films and commercials, it was also selected for the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver in 2010. Close your eyes and let yourself go!

The Passenger – Iggy Pop

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Iggy Pop wrote and released this song with guitarist Ricky Gardiner. In 1977, the year in which Punk exploded, this song overwhelmed everyone and everything. The original improvisation of the guitar is one of the most extraordinary works in the entire history of music, and it is also a song famous for its simple and direct reef. Written on the S-Bahn of the Berlin city rail, this song is a first-person “journey” for those who live in the dark slums of the city, but who still look towards the sky and the stars, never losing hope for the future. A cult with no ifs and buts.

Born to run – Bruce Springsteen

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The energy of this song is incrediblee. Among the 500 songs listed by Rolling Stones, it ranks 21st and is an angry hymn to hope, love and freedom. It talks about escaping from the city that traps young people, suffocating them, then invites them to flee and travel around the world, to find their destiny and future elsewhere. If you think this song speaks to you deep inside, then you are ready to start the engine of your car and wander.

Messico e Nuvole – Paolo Conte

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In 1970 Vito Pallavicini wrote this song which was first sung by Jannacci and then by Paolo Conte. It tells of the protagonist’s renunciation of an important love born and ended under the clouds of Mexico. In this country defined as the sad side of neighboring America, the sky is littered with fast-moving clouds, filled with guitars and harmonic sounds. This song was rejuvenated by “Giuliano Palma and Bluebeaters” in 2005, making it a little more cheerful and an ideal soundtrack for your next trip to Mexico!

And for you, what are the songs that remind you of your best travels. Tell me them using the comment form below.