Get your windows down and turn the music up, because Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘One Love’ (27 percent) has been crowned the ultimate summer driving song, according to a new survey of 2,000 drivers by GoShorty .
Originally written in 1965, Marley revisited ‘One Love’ during the turmoil of the Jamaican elections in 1976 to enhance its call for peace and unity. It became an immediate success and is arguably the most popular song he wrote and performed with the Wailers.
In second place on the list was the 1988 classic, ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ by Scottish twin brothers, The Proclaimers (26 percent), which became a global hit after being featured in the 1993 movie Benny & Joon , starring Johnny Depp .
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‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ by Guns N’ Roses (25 percent), ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie (24 percent), ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor (24 percent) and ‘Born to Run’ by Bruce Springsteen (23 percent) are also among the best songs to listen to when hitting the road this month.
Also to make the list were Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ (23 percent), which recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after being featured on the Netflix series, Stranger Things , John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ (22 percent) and ‘Jamming’ by Bob Marley & The Wailers (22 percent).
But it’s not just classic songs that make the ultimate road trip playlist. Modern tracks like The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ (17 percent) and Beyonce’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ (17 percent) also make an appearance, alongside Sophie Ellis Bextor’s ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ (17 percent), which saw a recent rise in streaming thanks to the 2023 hit film, Saltburn .
Young drivers
In contrast to older Brits, Gen Z (18 to 29 years old) prefer to groove to contemporary hits such as Beyonce’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ (27 percent), Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ (22 percent), Kesha’s ‘ TikTok ’ (22 percent) and Taylor Swift’s latest version of her original track, ‘Style’ (22 percent).
A fifth (20 percent) of modern Brits also chose ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears, who released her long-awaited autobiography last year, becoming an instant bestseller.
Nearly half (49 percent) of the British drivers surveyed said that a road trip with loved ones is one of the best things you can do in the summer, with over a third (35 percent) already having one booked in the diary.
In fact, Brits who are going on a road trip are planning two over the next few months, driving an average of 225 miles each time.
One in two (52 percent) of the 2,000 motorists polled say that road trips make the best memories, while over half (55 percent) agree that you can have just as good a holiday by hitting the road in the UK as going abroad.
57 percent curate a driving playlist to keep the vibes going on a long drive, with pop (59 percent), rock (40 percent), dance (28 percent) and R’n’B (28 percent) the top genres of choice.
Andy Moody, Founder and Managing Director of GoShorty , which commissioned the research said: “It’s clear that a great playlist is key to a successful drive this summer. Classics from BobMarley and Guns N’ Roses have featured across the list of the nation’s favourite driving tunes, as well as more modern hits from the likes of Beyonce and The Weeknd.
Warning
Andy added a warning to drivers too: “Wherever you’re travelling to this summer, make sure your road tripping is fully covered with our short-term car insurance. It’s perfect for travellers who’ve decided to borrow a bigger (or better) car for the road trip and easier than ever to get cover. You can even share the driving with your passengers on long journeys, as purchasing a short-term policy takes less than 90 seconds! Bring whatever you need, avoid the stress and expense of train travel, and have the road trip of your lifetime this summer.”
Despite tech playing a key role in road trips, 72 percent say they are embracing nostalgic games with I spy (49 percent), the licence plate game (26 percent) and who can stay quiet the longest? (23 percent) all making a comeback in the nation’s cars.
The study also found that a quarter of British motorists have superstitions that they adhere to, to ensure a road trip goes without a hitch, with 33 percent always making sure they step into the car using their right foot first.
One in three (27 percent) never look back at the house, while 27 percent always pack a lucky charm. Wearing a specific t-shirt (24 percent), knocking on wood before leaving (23 percent) and avoiding number 13 (21 percent) are also ways in which Brits keep safe, and keep their car running, on a long journey.
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER DRIVING PLAYLIST, ACCORDING TO BRITISH DRIVERS:
- ‘One Love’, Bob Marley and The Wailers – 27%
- ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’, The Proclaimers – 26%
- ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’, Guns N’ Roses – 25%
- ‘Heart of Glass’, Blondie – 24%
- ‘Eye of the Tiger’, Survivor – 24%
- ‘Born to Run’, Bruce Springsteen – 23%
- ‘Running Up That Hill’, Kate Bush – 23%
- ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’, John Denver – 22%
- ‘Jamming’, Bob Marley and The Wailers – 22%
- ‘Every Breath You Take’, The Police – 21%
- ‘Born to be Wild’, Steppenwolf – 21%
- ‘Stayin’ Alive’, The Bee Gees – 21%
- ‘Take It Easy’, The Eagles – 21%
- ‘Mr Blue Sky’, Electric Light Orchestra – 21%
- ‘Another One Bites The Dust’, Queen – 21%
- ‘Fast Car’, Tracy Chapman – 20%
- ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey – 20%
- ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman’, Shania Twain – 20%
- ‘Love Shack’, B-52s – 19%
- ‘Road to Nowhere’, Talking Heads – 18%
- ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, Toploader – 18%
- ‘Here I Go Again’, Whitesnake – 18%
- ‘Blinding Lights’, The Weeknd – 17%
- ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, Sophie Ellis Bextor – 17%
- ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’, Beyonce – 17%
- ‘Firework’, Katy Perry – 16%
- ‘YMCA’, Village People – 15%
- ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’, U2 – 15%
- ‘Upside Down’, Diana Ross – 15%
- ‘Hit the Road Jack’, Ray Charles – 15%
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
