In Honor of the 100th Indy 500: My Top 33 Car Songs

Let’s get this straight right now! I’m from Indiana, and although I am not a fan of the state’s brand of politics right now, I am a Hoosier when it comes to sports. In my youth, I played some high school basketball, and as an adult, I coached basketball from the sixth grade level up to being a varsity assistant coach. Unfortunately, my health kept me from becoming a head coach, which left a huge hole in my soul. I did not leave teaching and coaching on my terms, which is what hurts the most, besides the constant back spasms, sciatic nerve pain and the pain of arthritis in the L4/L5 region of my spine.

Now, we are heading into Memorial Day Weekend, which in Indiana means the Indianapolis 500. You cannot escape it here. For the whole month of May, the practice sessions are covered, as well as every engine hiccup a car may make. But, you will get a sense of which cars will be the best come race day after all this coverage. The whole city and surrounding suburbs are abuzz with this race’s traditions.

Therefore, in honor of “the greatest spectacle in racing”, I am going to give you my Favorite 33 Songs About Cars. I chose the number 33 because the race will have a full field of 33 cars. And since the cars are placed in 11 rows of three cars, based on their speed, I will do the same, only in the order that I like them.

• Row 11: 33. Sammy Hagar – “I Can’t Drive 55” (I’ve always hated this song, but its such a standard around Race Day that I couldn’t leave it off the list.
• 32. Depeche Mode – “Behind the Wheel”
• 31. Charlie Daniels Band – “Uneasy Rider”
• Row 10: 30. Cake – “The Distance”
• 29. The Go-Go’s – “Speeding”
• 28. Bachman Turner Overdrive – “Roll on Down the Highway”
• Row 9: 27. Devo – “Speed Racer”
• 26. Tracy Chapman – “Fast Car”
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• 25. Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Corvair Baby”
• Row 8: 24. Golden Earring – “Radar Love”
• 23. Bruce Springsteen – “Pink Cadillac” (so what that The Boss really isn’t singing about a car!)
• 22. Commander Cody – “Hot Rod Lincoln”
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• Row 7: 21. Stone Temple Pilots – “Interstate Love Song”
• 20. Deep Purple – “Highway Star”
• 19. The Clash – “Brand New Cadillac
• Row 6: 18. Quiet Riot – “Slick Black Cadillac”
• 17. Foghat – “Slow Ride”
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• 16. John Travolta – “Greased Lightning”
• Row 5: 15. Janis Joplin – “Mercedes Benz”
• 14. Rose Royce – “Car Wash” (your ride’s gotta look nice!)
• 13. Tom Cochrane – “Life Is a Highway”
• Row 4: 12. War – “Low Rider”
• 11. Edgar Winter Group – “Free Ride”
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• 10. Gary Numan – “Cars”
• Row 3: 9. Queen – “I’m in Love with My Car”
• 8. Velvet Crush – “Speedway Baby”
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• 7. Rush – “Red Barchetta”
• Row 2: 6. Rob Zombie – “Dragula” (a hit song about the Munsters’ coffin car has to be included!)
• 5. Bruce Springsteen – “Racing in the Streets”
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• 4. Sniff ‘N’ the Tears – “Driver’s Seat”
• Row 1: 3. Metallica – “Fuel”
• 2. The Clash – “Car Jamming”
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• 1. And, on the pole position, a song that was almost chosen for the pace car, is Prince – “Little Red Corvette”

And, the pace car for this year’s Indy 500 of music is The Beach Boys’ “Little Deuce Coupe.

Now, my friends, you have a list of 34 car songs that you could use for a playlist for the race itself. I believe most people do not mind listening to the first twenty or so laps. Then, we forget about the race, usually picking back up with the race when there is 20 laps to go. In both cases, the track is congested and the drivers are more daring with their passes.

Regardless, have a great Memorial Day! Have fun with however you celebrate the race! And try to stay cool this weekend! Here’s Keller signing off until next Tuesday. Stay Frosty!

Author: ifmyalbumscouldtalk

I am just a long-time music fan who used to be a high school science teacher and a varsity coach of several high school athletic teams. Before that, I worked as a medical technologist at three hospitals in their labs, mainly as a microbiologist. I am retired/disabled (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome), and this is my attempt to remain a human. Additionally, I am a serious vinyl aficionado, with a CD addiction and a love of reading about rock history. Finally, I am a fan of Prince, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty, R.E.M., Hall & Oates, Springsteen, Paul Weller & his bands and Power Pop music. View all posts by ifmyalbumscouldtalk