Following on from Gatz’s holiday thread, I thought I’d put a bit down about my upcoming holiday. We’re driving off to Cornwall in a few days’ time, which googlemaps insists has a journey time of four hours and 40 minutes. Experience tells me it shall be longer. To while away the hours I have developed a ‘greatest hits’ play list. In my mind long car journeys with the family are all about the greatest hits compilation. I’m not 100% sure why I came up with this idea originally, perhaps it’s so you have something to sing along with, perhaps it’s the familiarity of the tunes and the order of the tracklist, perhaps it’s because most ‘normal people’ when asked would say that they’re favourite Beatles album is “the greatest hits.” I dunno, but I seem to be able to get away with playing greatest hits in the car as it doesn’t offend Mrs. Paws as much as the new album by (enter name here) and occasionally Mini Paws mentions that she likes a song. She rather famously did this one time when we were driving somewhere or another, declaring that “this is a song that they play at Granny’s church!” “Are you quite sure?” I respond. “Definitely” she says. The song in question was ‘There is a light that never goes out.’ It seems that the Catholic Church really has made a few changes.
Nowadays of course we’ve got Spotify, so gathering the greatest hits compilations is a darn sight easier. I don’t have to carry 15 or so CDs in the car, and they don’t get scratched either. Also the shuffle feature works a treat as you don’t know what’s coming next. And my favourite thing of all, you can edit or even devise a greatest hits. Handy when an artist doesn’t actually have one (such as Beck).
I know that there have been threads about Greatest Hits before, but does anyone have any favourite driving greatest hits, recommendations or ideas in general? Here’s a song off of a greatest hits album both Mrs. Paws and I can agree on-
The Fleetwood Mac greatest hits from the mid-eighties (green cover, white flower) is pure car trip gold, as is of course the Goldmother of them all Abba Gold. abba Gold was on permanent repeat when the kids were 4/5.
Abba Gold is already on the list, at the insistence of Mrs. Paws. Funnily enough as kids the only two greatest hits packages I remember in the car were the Fleetwood Mac one you’ve described and Paul McCartney’s ‘All the best.’ I’ve included neither on this occasion.
Lightning Seeds Like You Do is chock full of belters
I heard Sing for the first time yesterday even though it’s probably the biggest record of all time by now or something. I have to say… can we have that on during the bit when we’re driving over the experimental concrete road surface on the motorway… with all the windows open and the kids having a screaming argument in the back?
Good playlist – guess you like the Whole of the moon seeing as it appears twice!!
I know that this may appear sacrilege but the Beat version of Tears of a Clown better for a drive- more upbeat.
Thanks for that spot….duly amended…gonna keep the original of Tears of a clown but happy to take any further additions..cheers!
Be interested to see if the above playlist fits the bill…?
Great compilation Markg, would love to drive home to this. Not sure about the Howard Jones track, mind you.
Cheers for the feedback…point taken on Mr Jones..he is popular ar the Rewind festivals my brother frequents each year in Henly I am told!
Either Motown Chartbusters vol 1-6 (the golden years) or Motown Gold – triple greatest hits CD alert. Also bulletproof.
Alternatively this 2cd compilation of 60s classic soul. Not a duff track on it…..
And here’s the track list
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Soul-Decade-The-Sixties/release/729901
Earth, Wind & Fire (any greatest hits will do)
Chic with Sister Sledge (Chic gave lots of their best songs to the Sisters, so their participation is *essential*)
Maddona – The Immaculate Collection
They don’t make ’em like they used to.
Madonna… Ever seen someone jump from a moving car?
I did suggest Madonna’s immaculate collection, but Mrs. Paws said “no.” My only female vocalists at the moment are Abba, Debbie Harry (Blondie, obvs) and Nina Simone. Quite fancy the idea of Chic and Sister Sledge. Is there an actual compilation or will I have to develop one on Spotify?
Here’s one for three quid
Pixies – “Death to the Pixies”
That’s the one. The miles fair go rolling by when you’re playing “Wave of Mutilation”, etc.
Wayne’s World-style headbanging in the chorus of Planet of Sound is a serious hazard, but necessary nonetheless.
Go Betweens compilation Bellavista Terrace all the yin and yang of the great Forster and McLennan
Paul Kelly Songs of the south is staggeringly good
Best of Sam Cooke is one great happy go lucky singalong.
My personal favourite is a self made compilation of Bon Scott era ACDC. Hiiiiiiighway to Helllll
Y’know I have yet to check out the Go Betweens, and I think I will on this holiday (but probably on the headphone at first).
Well done lad. Hope you like them.
Can’t believe no one has mentioned the Beach Boys. Great for summer driving and singing along. Loads of dirt cheap compilations about. All together now:
“When I was a little bitty baby my momma done rocked me in the cradle…”
Ah, still got the seven inch vinyl of that.
*sighs*
A 60s Kinks collection even though they released great albums too. Small Faces, Beautiful South, The Jam, Queen and Madness are best heard on compilations for me.
Gonna put up a mixture of Irish rock tracks made by DJ Tom Dunne,singer with Something Happens….
I just drove overnight to the middle of France and Mrs T nodded off after hitting play on All Songs on Jackson Browne on the iPod. So rather than wake her I left it on. Now I do like JB a real lot, but hours of the great man is a bit much, especially as I had live stuff, acoustic versions etc etc… suffice it to say I don’t need to hear “Take it easy” or “Rock me on the water” for a while.
Tom Petty never sounds better than while driving.
I have a Tom Petty channel on my car radio (Sirius/XM)
I don’t do Sirius, but that would be a reason to sign on.
Anthology: Through The Years is the one to go for.
Yes, lots of classics there. Though it lacks some later gems like Saving Grace.
He used to DJ on it and they still play old shows on the channel. Weird to hear his voice.
It broke my heart when he showed up on Elvis doc The Searcher.
Such a loss. Well, both of them, but I wasn’t born when Glady’s boy kicked it.
Long car journeys with the Dynamites just fly by
The best compilations are ones that have titles like Footstompin’ Music or The Ultimate Gold 60s Whatever. They take the burden of choice out of your hands and make it fun to confront theirs.
There is a rule in our marriage. Who ever does the driving, chooses the music.
Of course that doesn’t stop Mrs Japanese insisting on a number of paramaters when I’m at the wheel.
Let me guess – no Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Eric Dolphy, Peter Brötzmann, Cecil Taylor, Borbetomagus?
The whoever is driving rule is a good one. I have set it up so that if I’m driving it’s my choice and if I’m not driving it may be best if it’s my choice too. This idea cannot fail.
3 indespensibles that have been deemed “acceptable”
The Jam – Snap
Buzzcocks- Singles Going Steady
Squeeze – 45s And Under
Sound Of The Suburbs was a “partial win”. It’s sister compo Sound Of The City was pushing it a bit, but still OK (in a noisy type way).
Most of our long distance driving is accompanied by Radio 2, Planet Rock and Absolute 80s.
(The last one is not my choice, but still better than Magic or Heart or other “5 song playlist” stations)
I think it’s mandatory to play “it wasn’t me” by Shaggy every hour on Heart FM. Who came up with this ridiculous idea…
Nine hours in to the marathon driveathon, paws makes an executive decision that the ForThought family should push on and not stop at Sedgemoor services on the M5 in Somerset after all.
As he steers the overladen, slow, but gamely still running ForThoughtMobile past the slip road that leads to shitty coffee, filthy toilets and endless overpriced junk food, he turns up the Afterword Playlist on the stereo and starts to holler along with “‘Cause you’re the Green Manalishi with the two pronged crown”.
At this precise instant, paws Junior belts him in the back of the head with a tattered copy of the 1997 edition of The Rough Guide To Cornwall, which falls to the passenger footwell at Mrs paws’ feet, propitiously open at the page headed “Cornish Music Festivals: the do’s and dont’s”. With a banshee wail, both Mrs and Ms paws yell, “We hate your music and we hate driving to Cornwall”.
Paws lurches the vehicle to the left, off the motorway, up the exit ramp, through the fence and heads for Rob C’s place, mercifully nearby, seeking oblivion and escape from the sweltering hell that is the M5 in August.
Safe travels paws, and take it easy out there.
Sounds entirely plausible, foxy. Maybe I should use headphones.
Fabs Blue & Red or Essential Byrds are the cutting edge material played on many a motoring trip round my way. If I’m feeling particularly avant garde I might even slip into the Very Best of Fleetwood Mac.
…if I might suggest: Thin Lizzy Greatest Hits….mighty fine for the car driving….
Hitsville U.S.A. The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971.
The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968.
Just play alternate random discs from these two boxes. Possibly add in the Trojan U.K. Hits box too.
Going on holiday by car with the family ?
Got to be “20 Golden Greats” by The Beach Boys.
How about Best of the Eagles? Windows down, sun shining… Cornwall will be just like California!
If you mean there’ll be a lot of drug-taking and gun violence, you’re dead right.
Long car journeys? One rule which binds them all – no music whatsoever. Story Tapes are the only way to go whether they be Five Go To Kirrin Island or Tolstoy, The Early Years. If the story doesn’t suit then substitute silence as we all stare out the window in perfect harmony. Music, music – are you all mad?
Mrs atcf and I do the drive to Cornwall a couple of times a year and you’re right, it’s not the time for chin-stroking muzak. Our singalong faves include greatest hits by Dolly Parton, Billy Joel and various soul comps. I’m pretty sure that I don’t listen to those first two at any other time. For the surprise factor Smooth FM is also acceptable, at least until you lose reception!
4 hours 40 to Cornwall? Live in Plymouth, do you? Feckin’ 8 hours getting home last week. Those Changesonebowie, Changestwobowie were handy, but I find a live album is the ticket for a long journey. Anything live from the Fillmore East pretty much fits the ticket.
“Anything live from the Fillmore East pretty much fits the ticket.”
Yeah, that’s a good shout, retro.
I’d go for the 4CD compilation “Ladies and Gentlemen… the Grateful Dead” (Live at the Fillmore East, April 25–29, 1971). A good one for converting Dead unbelievers … possibly.
Or Miles at the Fillmore – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 3
Just over four hours and ten minutes of music that can be described using the following adjectives: aggressive, ambitious, animated, brash, bravado, brooding, confident, confrontational, cosmopolitan, dark, declamatory, defiant, dreamy, driving, energetic, enigmatic, epic, euphoric, exciting, explosive, fierce, fiery, flashy, freewheeling, gritty, improvisatory, intense, literate, lively, monumental, narcotic, nocturnal, poignant, provocative, raucous, rousing, sophisticated, spacey, suspenseful, tense/anxious, turbulent, uncompromising, urgent, visceral.
The time will fly by. Enjoy!
Or of course the allman bros.
*picture of grinning Top Gear presenter*
Doesn’t google maps give the actual, current time it will take assuming no accidents? Works (more or less) over here (in Canada).
Our kids can still sing entire Roger Miller songs from the greatest hits cassette (yes it was that long ago) we used to play on car trips