“Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong…” melodious tune from John Denver soothing my ears from my car stereo as I was heading through the countryside on my way to the interiors of Kerala. Just then a thought struck me that a journey would be so incomplete if we didn’t have good music as a companion! A song can take you back to a time or place, motivate you to travel, or foster the desire to pack up your bags and keep moving on.
Travelling to another country or unknown land where language and customs are different becomes easy as music helps us connect to other travelers & locals who might not speak our language but carry the same love for music.
So here’s a playlist of my personal favourites which add rhythm to my otherwise nomadic travel sojourns. So next time you are on the road or thinking about travel, here are some great songs to tune in:
- Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude by Jimmy Buffett
As Jimmy sings, “Reading departure signs in some big airport, reminds me of the places I’ve been”. It truly captures the moment of traveling and exploring new land. - Country Roads by John Denver
It will remind you of your homeland while you collect all the memories of the new place. - Tahna Dil by Shaan
Setting foot on a journey into the less explored…you would always find this Shaan melody as your companion! I would personally love to tune into this track on any trip! - On the Beach by Chris Rea
This song will transport you back to the time when you met your loved one for the first time. Indeed Romantic! 
What a Wonderful World by Keane
All time favourite! You just can’t leave this one off, can you?- On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
Run around all the continents, making friends, seeing things which you’ve never seen.. Isn’t it what we mean by travel? - A Good Day to Run by Darryl Worley
Suits all who want to run away from the daily routine but are still stuck to one question: Is this a good day to run? - Breakdown by Jack Johnson
It reminds us to slow down and enjoy each passing moment, whether it’s rolling down our windows to get view of a busy street or enjoying the moment when the train breaks down in the middle of nowhere. - Gypsy by Shakira
Perfect song for nomads, who embodies the spirit of being carefree. And who likes walking when you can learn to fly? - Dil Chahta Hai by Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani & Loy Mendonsa
Out exploring the world with your friends, this track would set the perfect mood! - Kokomo by The Beach Boys
Takes you to the beach with white sands, swaying palms, crystal-clear turquoise waters and lots of Pina Colada!
- Love Me Do by The Beatles
Classic! You just can’t skip singing together with your mates on a road trip! - Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Who would let this go! A perfect call to see the world with your perfect companion! - Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz
If you could fly, where would you go? Over the sea or to see the stars or the Milky Way or even to Mars! - Musaafir Hoon Yaaro by Kishore Kumar
For the traveller inside each one of us. An amazing compilation from the Golden trio of Kishore Da, Pancham Da (RD Burman) and Gulzar Saab. It can give enough impetus to any traveller to take that first foot forward. - Jungle Drum by Emiliana Torrini
Not a travel song but a perfect number to pep up the atmosphere and to race your car against the wind. Hold on, look at your speedometer and people sitting in your car might say it, “my heart is beating like a jungle drum!”
Other favourites:
- Free Fallin by Tom Petty
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
- Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane
- Sweet Home Alabama by Lynward Skynyard
- Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi by Udit Narayan
- Highway to Hell by AC/DC
- Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver
- Upside Down by Jack Johnson
- Jungle Song by Savage Garden
- Aate Jaate Khubsurat by Kishore Kumar
- Carolina in my Mind by James Taylor
…the list continues and so does the journey!
We would love to hear your favourite travel songs so please feel free to drop in your playlist in the comments section.
- Deepali Pareek
