10 Awesome Songs About Cars

Rihanna

Everyone has something they are passionate about, and for some people, that is cars. They either love buying flashy cars, enjoy spending time tinkering with them, or are simply interested in anything about motors. Due to many people’s interest in cars, they are used as a theme for films, television, books, and even songs. When the song’s title or lyrics are about cars, they can describe cars in the literal sense or use cars as a symbol for passion, speed, danger, or an adrenaline rush. The words may also describe a significant event or experience that involved a car. Here are 10 awesome songs about cars sung by everyone from Rihanna to Tracy Chapman.

10. Fast Car, Tracy Chapman (1988)

 

Tracy Chapman won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song ‘Fast Car.’ Chapman wrote and recorded the song as the lead single from her self-titled debut studio album. In the United States, the song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s popularity was partially due to Chapman performing the song at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute.

9. Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna (2008)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up7pvPqNkuU

 

In ‘Shut Up and Drive’, Rihanna refers to herself as being like a ’57 Cadillac. There are also various other references to cars and car parts in the lyrics. The song was written by Peter Hook, Bernard Summer, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Morris, Evan Rogers, and Carl Sturken. In the UK, the song peaked at number five, while in the United States, it reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. It was also a top ten hit in Germany, Canada, Australia, and Italy.

8. I Drove All Night, Roy Orbison (1992)

 

The Forty Five lists Roy Orbison’s ‘I Drove All Night’ as one of the best songs about cars. Originally, the song was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for Roy Orbison, and Orbison recorded the song in 1987. However, Orbison’s recording of the song was only released posthumously in 1992. Prior to the release of Orbison’s version, Cyndi Lauper had a hit with the song in 1989. Celine Dion later covered the song in 2003.

7. Driving in My Car, Madness (1982)

 

Madness released ‘Driving in My Car’ in 1982 and is featured on the album ‘Rise & Fall.’ However, only the single was released in the United States. It was Madness’13th single to reach the top 20 in the UK as part of a run of 20 consecutive top 20 hits for the group. In the music video for this song, the members of Madness are wearing suits as they tinker with a white 1959 Morris Minor in a workshop.

6. Mustang Sally, Wilson Pickett (1967)

 

Originally, ‘Mustang Sally’ was recorded by Mack Rice in 1965. However, the most popular version of the song was recorded by Wilson Pickett two years later. Pickett is not the only person to have covered this song, as The Commitments also covered it in the film of the same name with Andrew Strong as the lead singer.

5. Cars Hiss by My Window, The Doors (1971)

 

‘Car Hiss by My Window’ is a track from The Doors album ‘LA Woman,’ which took The Doors only a little over a week. They recorded this single, ‘Crawling King Snake,’ ‘Been Down Long,’ and several other tracks in just one day. Song Facts says that there is a clear ‘wah-wah’ sound in the background, and it is Jim Morrison impersonating a guitar and then a harmonica.

4. Drive My Car, The Beatles (1965)

 

‘Drive My Car’ by the Beatles is about an ambitious starlet who wants more fame and likes men in uniform. The song was primarily written by Paul McCartney with lyrical contributions from John Lennon. This track featured on the Beatles’ British album’ Rubber Soul’ and on the album ‘Yesterday and Tomorrow,’ which was released in the United States.

3. Little Deuce Coupe, The Beach Boys (1963)

 

When The Beach Boys first released ‘Little Deuce Coupe’ in 1973, it was the B-side track for the single ‘Surfer Girl’ and appeared on the album of the same name. The Beach Boys released the song again a year later as a single and also as the title track on the album of the same name. It was co-written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian. The lyrics of the song refer to a Ford Model 18, as the 1932 coupe model was called a Deuce Coupe.

2. Little Red Corvette, Prince (1983)

 

‘Little Red Corvette’ was written and recorded by Prince, and it featured on the album’ 1999.’ Throughout the song, the lyrics use various car metaphors and include car-related double entendre to refer to sex. They also describe a one-night stand with a woman. When it was released in 1983, it peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song was re-released in 2016 after Prince’s death.

1. Brand New Cadillac, The Clash (1979)

 

According to Ranker, one of the most awesome songs about cars is ‘Brand New Cadillac.’ Vince Taylor wrote the song, and it was first released in 1959 by Vince Taylor and his Playboys. It was then covered by The Clash in 1979, and the song featured on their third album’ London Calling.’ Others who have covered the song include the Hep Stars, The Renegades, Shamrocks, Downliners Sect, Inner City Unit, and many more. However, The Clash version of the song remains the most popular.

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