Some music just sounds better in certain settings. Like seeing an animal in its natural habitat instead of in a zoo. As I discuss in a related post, over time, I have developed a musical geography of sorts, mapping the places where I hear certain songs more clearly and which, as a result, have become inextricably bound up with those songs in a way that is now impossible to untangle. This Playlist is a sampling of tunes on my musical map.
This playlist is available at 8tracks.
“Rocket Man” by Elton John while driving the backroads of California’s rural Central Coast on a star-filled night.
“Killing in the Name” by Rage Against The Machine while driving south on the 405 beneath the Getty Museum on the way into Los Angeles.
The Wall by Pink Floyd in its entirety while driving the length of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. For this Playlist, I'm including “Run Like Hell” but really, listening to The Wall uninterrupted on that stretch of road should be a Bucket List item for everyone – it's the most surreal, mind-altering, and, surprisingly, life-affirming juxtaposition achievable in a natural state.
“I’m Waiting For The Man” by the Velvet Underground in a cab up Third Avenue arriving in New York City from JFK.
“Sugaree” from the Jerry Garcia Band’s Don’t Let Go CD descending from Highway 1 to Stinson Beach, CA.
“Don’t Leave Me Now” by Pink Floyd upon stepping from the jetway into the terminal at Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport.
“Take It Easy” by the Eagles on Highway 89 driving to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
“Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen anywhere on the New Jersey Turnpike on the way to anywhere else.
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