As someone without a driver's license and, by extension, a car, who lives quite a distance away from my home and boyfriend, I have become very familiar with long bus and train rides while at school. In fact, I ride Megabus so much they should discount my tickets (or pay me for this excellent brand mention, *hint hint*)
Luckily I've always managed to remember my headphones for these rides because, if I'm not slumped asleep against the bus window, I can't just sit there and listen to the baby a couple rows behind me cry while another guy snores as if his life depends on it. The following are some of my go-to travel songs, though they don't really have much, if anything, to do with traveling.They are, however, great for staring out the window dramatically.
- "Someone You'd Admire" by Fleet Foxes
"After all is said and done I feel the same
All that I hoped would change within me stayed
Like a huddled moon-lit exile on the shore
Warming his hands, a thousand years ago" x
The enjoyment of this song is definitely heightened if it's raining outside, the bus is relatively empty, and/or you're on the brink of falling asleep.
- "My Baby (Cares for the Animals)" by Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
"My baby sleeps in a lemon patch
She flies in a rocket ship
She can breathe underwater
She's a funny kid" x
Just some upbeat indie to keep you awake when you're getting close to your destination; particularly if you're heading towards someone that you love.
- "Love in the Time of Human Papillomavirus" by Andrew Jackson Jihad
"You will cough up crows that peck my eyes
And I will do nothing but go blind
But my heart
It has eyes
And my love
It has sight
Even though
It may be a little cloudy" x
What more can I say besides this song is sad and cold and rainy.
"Don't be scared to speak,
Don't speak with someone's tooth,
Don't bargain when you're weak,
Don't take that sharp abuse.
Some patients can't be saved, but that burden's not on you.
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that." x
This song always makes me feel like, even if things are going bad, something as little as traveling can be an attempt to make it better.
- "On the Bus Mall" by The Decemberists
"But here in our hollow we fuse like a family,
But I will not mourn for you.
So take up your makeup
And pocket your pills away.
We're kings among runaways
On the bus mall." x
For when you're running away from something.
Of course, the music we listen to when we travel varies from person to person. I favor sad, soft songs while I know my sister could happily spend five hours in a car listening to 5 Seconds of Summer. While I may not agree with her tastes, I am always interested to hear about the music other people have been into lately and what they'd recommend I should add to my playlist.
