What is the perfect Canadian summer road trip playlist?
CBC Radio | Posted: July 9, 2018 1:54 PM | Last Updated: July 9, 2018
When you're heading out on a road trip, are you the kind of person who likes to wing it? Maybe hit the open road with nothing but a coffee, and a vague idea of where you're headed? Or maybe you prefer to be prepared, with not only a highlighted map and detailed itinerary, but the perfect road trip soundtrack lined up, too.
We recently had a q listener reach out to us who falls under the latter category, but he had a special request for us: he's getting ready to go on a big road trip with his wife and he wants to surprise her with a Canadian road trip playlist.
The q team put their heads together and came up with a few songs ideas. But we want to know, what tracks would you add to the ultimate Canadian road trip playlist? Let us know in the comments, or tweet your suggestions to @cbcradioq.
Think It Over, by Wave
California gets all the nostalgia love but I think this is the better song. Can Wave get back together please? On q?
Sailing Away, by Jennifer Castle
Quietly beautiful. This song always makes me think of scenic drives with the windows down. — Vanessa Greco
Quietly beautiful. This song always makes me think of scenic drives with the windows down. — Vanessa Greco
I'm With You, by The Stills
This song's already been road trip-tested — I can guarantee its power on the pavement. These guys are no longer a band, but they left us a song that's got a little romance, plenty of rock and even a reference to heading east. Enjoy cranking this one up. — Emma Godmere
This song's already been road trip-tested — I can guarantee its power on the pavement. These guys are no longer a band, but they left us a song that's got a little romance, plenty of rock and even a reference to heading east. Enjoy cranking this one up. — Emma Godmere
Before You Leave, by Thrush Hermit
This East Coast band has an arsenal of songs depicting life on the Canadian road. This isn't one of them but I challenge you not do drive a little faster while wiggling in your seat listening to this one (q does not condone reckless driving, obviously). — Catherine Stockhausen
This East Coast band has an arsenal of songs depicting life on the Canadian road. This isn't one of them but I challenge you not do drive a little faster while wiggling in your seat listening to this one (q does not condone reckless driving, obviously). — Catherine Stockhausen
Balade à Toronto, by Jean Leloup
This literally translates to "Road trip to Toronto." It's about driving at night along Lake Ontario, about being in love, and the nostalgia those memories will later bring on. — Diane Eros
Mehcinut, Jeremy Dutcher
The Trans Canada Highway hugs the Saint John River for a good stretch of the drive through New Brunswick. Jeremy Dutcher is helping preserve the area's Wolostoq heritage, which includes a language spoken today by fewer than 100 people — and sung by him on this beautiful song, accompanied by early field recordings. — Andrea Warner
The Trans Canada Highway hugs the Saint John River for a good stretch of the drive through New Brunswick. Jeremy Dutcher is helping preserve the area's Wolostoq heritage, which includes a language spoken today by fewer than 100 people — and sung by him on this beautiful song, accompanied by early field recordings. — Andrea Warner
North East South West, by Japandroids
When I'm driving on long trips, I need music to keep me going, something that makes me sit upright and smack the steering wheel to the beat of the drum. Japandroids generally do that for me, but North East South West has the benefit of actually being about life on the road. — Jesse Kinos-Goodin
Grace, Too, by The Tragically Hip
I can't think of a better song to crank while driving down a highway, sun hot and inescapable, little waves of heat coming off the pavement and a warm wind blasting in through the window. That opening riff really sets the groove. — Nairi Apkarian
I can't think of a better song to crank while driving down a highway, sun hot and inescapable, little waves of heat coming off the pavement and a warm wind blasting in through the window. That opening riff really sets the groove. — Nairi Apkarian
My One and Only Love, by the Oscar Peterson Trio
Oscar Peterson's daughter Céline picked this track for a q gateway we did. It's a beautiful piece of music that will be the perfect tonic for you at the end of a long day of driving. — Ben Edwards
Oscar Peterson's daughter Céline picked this track for a q gateway we did. It's a beautiful piece of music that will be the perfect tonic for you at the end of a long day of driving. — Ben Edwards
Walk On, by Neil Young
Any Canadian road trip needs some Neil. This song isn't the most Canadian, or the most about driving, but it channels the wide-open freedom of any good day behind the wheel. — AW
Any Canadian road trip needs some Neil. This song isn't the most Canadian, or the most about driving, but it channels the wide-open freedom of any good day behind the wheel. — AW
Run Away With Me, by Carly Rae Jepsen
A q staff favourite. It works for any occasion, including road trips (and saxophone-playing sea lions).
A q staff favourite. It works for any occasion, including road trips (and saxophone-playing sea lions).
Seeds, by Hey Rosetta
This song is literally about driving. It has the unmistakable feel of propulsion, with lyrics about moving forward, onto bigger and better adventures. On top of that, it's just a gorgeous song all around.
We also asked listeners for their perfect road trip songs, and have included some of the answers below.
Gotta have Stephen Fearing Longest Road and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings version of Willie Bennett's 49 tons. — Tom Adams
I first heard it on Due South with Paul Gross. It's an upbeat Canadian themed song. They'll be singing along by the second chorus and have it on repeat. — Richard Weighill
We also had not one, but two suggestions for a non-Canadian song, so we had to include it.
The very best is Radar Love. The song always sent a shiver up my spine every time I heard it in my car. One of the best drum beats ever, one of the best intros and exits ever, you get my drift. One night I had an out of body experience late at night driving from Winnipeg to Edmonton somewhere west of Saskatoon. It was a beautiful night — no wind, no clouds — just the moon and stars on my car and me. Next thing I remember I was looking down at my car going down the highway with the moon and the stars lighting the way. It was very peaceful. In over 2,000,000 kms driving on the road I have never had a similar experience. When I came to in my car Radar Love was playing on the radio. Needless to say the shivers are still there every time I hear this song. — Ted Bloomfield
— Produced by Vanessa Greco