This past week, I was lucky enough to be able to go on road trip with my father. We drove the six and a half hours from Raleigh, North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the concert of a lifetime: Paul McCartney. After we were out of range of our favorite radio station, my dad let me choose the songs to play. Little did he know that I had already made a playlist for this exact moment.
1. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"
This is a Beatles songs from the "White Album." It's just a fun song with no real meaning to it. Paul played this at the concert, and everyone was dancing! Here's a version of him singing it at a concert in 2014.
2. "Piano Man"
Billy Joel wrote this song in 1973. I personally love belting the chorus. My dad does, too.
3. "Long Live Rock & Roll"
Daughtry formed after Chris Daughtry went on "American Idol" back in 2006, and I've been a fan ever since. This song is a tribute to rock and roll—how could I not love it?
4. "Won't Stop Running"
A Great Big World is best known for their hit single "Say Something" featuring Christina Aguilera. I've been a huge fan of them ever since they started out, and I've even met them before! This song means a lot to me because it's all about not giving up no matter what life throws at you.
5. "I Lived"
OneRepublic is another one of my favorite bands that I've been lucky enough to see in concert. "I Lived" is another song that's all about living life to the max. This is such a fun song to drive with on the highway because of its tempo!
6. "Sweet Child O' Mine"
This 1987 song is one that you can't go on a road trip without listening to. I'm not the only one who always thinks of that "Step Brothers" scene when I hear this song, right?
7. "Talk About You"
I don't usually like to listen to "love songs" when in the car with my parents—it's definitely awkward—but this song is just one I had to have on the playlist. Mika is a French artist that has been around since 2006, but I don't know of more than three or four people that know who he is! More people should want to talk about him because he's definitely worth talking about!
8. "50 Ways to Say Goodbye"
I've got a soft spot for Train in my heart. This is another song that's perfect for highway driving because of its tempo! Plus, it's catchy as hell. You can't go wrong with this song!9. "Free Fallin'"
I fell for this song at such a young age. It's a classic! Just try not to sing along to this song, I dare you!
10. "Live and Let Die"
This is a Paul McCartney & The Wings song from the '70s that was actually the theme for one of the "James Bond" movies! This video is actually from the concert I was at in Philadelphia. You can't see the fireworks that were going on behind the stage, but check out the stage effects!
11. "All The Small Things"
Say it ain't so that I will not go on a road trip without jamming out to this classic. Over the years, I've perfected the harmonies with this song. Even my dad really enjoys this song.
12. "Raging Fire"
Phillip Phillips was the winner of "American Idol" season 11, and is on my top list of favorite Idols. This song has a killer instrumental that I just can't get enough of.
13. "Strike A Match"
While we're talking "American Idol," 20-year-old Dalton Rapattoni was the third place in the final season of "Idol" and is one of my favorites. He gave off a huge My Chemical Romance vibe to me, which I loved. Plus, he came out about his bipolar disorder the same week that I was diagnosed with it and it made me connect with him even more. (He should've been second place, following La'Porsha, IMO.)
14. "Welcome to the Black Parade"
Speaking of My Chemical Romance, I always have this song on both my driving and running playlists. This is my favorite song by this band that heartbreakingly broke up in 2013. Gerard Way has great vocals that I can never get over. Shoutout to my best friend because MCR is her favorite band and she's the one who always got me to listen to them.
15. "All Summer Long"
Not only do I listen to this song all summer long, but all year long. It's just such a great song that is a must-have on all playlists. I mean, it has "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Werewolves of London" all in one!
16. "Yellow Submarine"
This was a song I added to the playlist for sheer nostalgia. This is the first song I ever remember listening to, and it was in the car with my dad on the way to the park. We were on the way to the concert of one of writers of the song, for crying out loud! Here's a video of Ringo Starr singing the song.
17. "Bohemian Rhapsody"
This is a classic that always has to be the last song on every playlist, let's be real. This is another song that my family always listened to on road trips when we were all kids. We would even react the scene from "Wayne's World" with the head bobbing. (We still do that when this song comes on the radio, to be honest.)
For a six and a half hour car ride, I probably should've added more songs to my playlist, but it's hard choosing songs when you're driving with your parents, even if you have the same music taste. Hopefully this list helps you with making a playlist!