When we at TrackDays.co.uk decided to put our heads together to choose our favourite songs about cars - we quickly realised there are dozens, hundreds even, of chart-topping songs about automobiles.
But after much debate, we've managed to narrow it down to our very favourite ballads, raps and pop hits about cars. So, strap in as we zoom through our picks!
The most glaringly obvious place to start on our list is a song about cars called, well, cars...
British artist Gary Numan feels safest in his car in this new wave classic. Deceivingly simple yet utterly catchy, "Cars" was his debut single in 1979, reaching number one on the UK singles chart after its release in August of that year.
Numan went on to admit that his Asperger's made it challenging for him to socialise, and that he truly did "feel safest of all" in his car. This dreamy classic also makes us feel safe and sound and is certainly a worthy first entrant to our list.
- Rihanna - "Shut Up And Drive"
A modern inductee to our exclusive list is Rihanna's 2007 smash hit "Shut Up And Drive". Released as the second single from her third album Good Girl Gone Bad as the follow up to the colossal ten week chart topper "Umbrella", it was another huge hit around the world, including the UK when it made the top 5 in September of that year.
The best-selling artist sings about Maybachs and Ferraris and declares that she's "got class like a '57 Cadillac!' The song by 'Bad girl RiRi' is full of sultry metaphors, in which she hopes to go "0 to 60" with her new flame.
And yet despite the song being heavily charged, did you know that "Blue Monday" by moody Mancunian electronica pioneers New Order is actually credited as inspiration for this club anthem?
- Tracy Chapman - "Fast Car"
Tracy Chapman dreams of a better life in her bluesy 1988 song, "Fast Car". Her lead single from her self titled debut album, it came to worldwide attention after being performed at Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday tribute, consequently hitting the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.
Working as a checkout girl, Chapman wonders, "You got a fast car/ Is it fast enough so we can fly away?/ We gotta make a decision/ Leave tonight or live and die this way."
Although we offer a range of speedy supercars, unfortunately, none of them are fast enough to fly!
- Prince - "Little Red Corvette"
Corvettes are known for their stylishness and aesthetic appeal - so little wonder Prince decided to pick this vehicle as a metaphor for an encounter with his love interest. I mean, it's hardly romantic to refer to your partner as a Ford Escort, is it? But then, this is Prince we're dealing with here.
This 1983 song is one of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, originally peaking at #2 here in the UK in 1985 as a double-A-side single with "1999" (which has itself been a UK chart hit four times over).
Sales of the song surged again after his tragic death back in 2016. Little Red Corvette is still on all of our playlists and isn't getting taken off any time soon as we remember the legend that is Prince.
We love how Texan rapper Nelly name drops his range of luxury vehicles in his 2001 smash hit, "Ride Wit Me". The third single from his debut album Country Grammar, it was - until the release of his chart topping collaboration with Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland on "Dilemma" a year later in 2002 - his highest charting single in the UK, peaking at #3.
Nelly gives a shout out to his Mercedes Benz E-Class and Range Rovers, while in the music video, a classic Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and giant Peterbilt 379 truck also make an appearance.
Nelly certainly boasts an impressive repertoire of vehicles, which may even rival us at TrackDays.co.uk!
If you're inspired by any of our favourite songs about cars, be sure to check out our range of Driving Experiences which you can book from dates on our Driving Experiences Calendar or through purchase of our open Gift Vouchers.
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