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Some folk hate driving; some folk love it. I'm one of the latter. I love driving even more with decent music on my stereo...

Today's entry in the 30-day #song-challenge is all about music to drive to. Read this post from @connecteconomy for more info.

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DAY 7: A SONG TO DRIVE TO.

OK, so perhaps what's needed is some clarity.

Because here in Melbourne (Australia), driving conditions aren't brilliant. We may only be a city of (close to) 6 million, but driving in the city can be chaotic, and a nightmare.

At the same time, Australian roads outside of our big cities are simply awesome for long road-trips. We have big, long, straight stretches of highway that look like they go on forever, as well as windy roads through undulating hills which would be amazing for rally-driving.

We also have Highway Patrols who just love to book people for speeding - traffic fines being a significant source of government revenue, even if they deny it and claim its all about "road safety".

I'm a rideshare driver, so I am driving anywhere between 32-40 hours a week. I utilise all four of the rideshare apps in available in our market (Uber, OlaCabs, DiDi, and Taxify). So I'm in traffic HEAPS.

I've received quite a few compliments and badges from riders about my music selection. I need to have stuff playing that won't offend anyone, but also I want to create a relaxing atmosphere that is conducive to providing an enjoyable trip experience.

On the other had, when I'm on road trips, I want to be listening to music that keeps my awake and in rhythm with the road, without going over the limit and parting with my hard-earned dollars.

So for today's #song-challenge I'm giving you two tracks: one which I prefer for driving in Melbourne city traffic, and one for long road-trips out in the country.

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CITY DRIVING

image source

I actually find that bluesy, jazzy, or anything fusion-esque works well in traffic. Classical music does also. A few riders have also appreciated the irony of the song title.

If you've never heard of PHiSH, then please do yourself a favour. But don't bother with their studio albums (well, not a first anyway). Like the Grateful Dead, they are better known as a live band, and have an extensive catalog of live recordings available.

The version I have on my driving playlist comes from the Niagara Falls live album, recorded December 7 1995. It's laid back enough to soothe folk after a hard day's work when we're attempting to make our way through the city traffic. It's also low-key enough for us to be able to hold a conversation (if appropriate), or just to zone out to.

Check out this track on the STEEMIT SOUNDS: SLIGHT RETURN soundtrack

This is live footage from the Kansas City Memorial Hall, June 1994

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COUNTRY DRIVING

When I'm driving outside of the city, it's because I'm heading off on a road trip (and I will be publishing some posts about our recent road trip to Central Australia soon).

I love to be able to sing along - that helps me stay awake. But I also enjoy driving at speed without needing to stop or slow down because of traffic.

The Australian countryside is pretty bloody awesome for this sort of activity. And some of my fondest holiday memories are from road-trips. Years back I used to drive a '76 VW Kombi, that had been a full conversion by Sunliner.

It was sweet! It had a 2lt engine (which meant it had guts for a heavy brick like the Kombi), twin-battery system, and was fully decked out for me to live out of. One of my biggest regrets was selling it, I wish I still had it. But for some reason, I thought I would 'grow up' and get a sensible city car.

🤦🏽‍♂️

Anyway. I don't know how many thousands of kilometres I've travelled around this amazing country, but this song really summarises the Great Australian Road-trip. And it's a bloody good song, by a classic Aussie rock band.

Listen to this track on the STEEMIT SOUNDS: SLIGHT RETURN soundtrack

From their 1986 album Born Sandy Devotional
 

The sky was big and empty
My chest filled to explode
I yelled my insides out at the sun
At the wide open road

 
My Kombi days were when I was in my mid-20's, and after I'd split from a 3-year relationship. I was studying at University in those days, so the summer break was perfect for working full-time to save the cash I'd need for 4-6 weeks travelling on the road.

A lot of this was inspired by my loneliness. That relationship break-up was hard, and I was honestly happy to be single for a while. This was also around the same time as described in my story about my first Acupuncture experience, so there was a lot of soul-searching at the time.

I would start my journey by going up to the Murray River for the New Years ConFest; from there I would usually travel north, eventually finding myself up around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast before heading back southwards. I'd sleep in National Parks, or road stops, or even just park along the beach somewhere.

There was something beautiful about travelling on my own. It was meditative and I found solace in it. Sometimes I would have a travelling companion along the way, perhaps we'd be going to a festival or they'd just be catching a ride somewhere I would be driving through.

I think that's why this song is the quintessential road-trip song for me. Something melancholic, and yet beautiful.

Enjoy!
😊🙏🏽☯️

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MADE FOR STEEMIT
Soundtrack for this post can be found on this month’s STEEMIT SOUNDS playlist