My Five Favorite Driving Songs [Videos]

There's nothing quite like driving around on a warm summer day with the windows down (or if you're lucky enough to have a convertible) and the music blaring. So what are my favorite drivin' songs? Keep reading to see.

When you hear a great driving song your right foot gets a little heavier and you become the world's best "steering wheel drummer." Next thing you know the song ends and you realize you are going way too fast and you're hands are stinging. But it's so worth it.

Now I recognize that there are literally hundreds (if not more) of great driving songs to choose from, but these are the first 5 that popped in my head. Some of these are just really great songs, and some are attached to pretty vivid memories. The fact is I'll probably think of 5 more by the time I finish writing this blog. I just now added "Part One" to the headline because I'm already thinking of more songs that could make this list.

For the sake of some kind of organization, I'll put these in chronological order - oldest to newest.

The Doors - L.A. Woman (1971)

This one takes me back to my freshman year at the University of Southern Indiana. One of my roommates introduced me to The Doors (among other things) and I was hooked pretty quickly. During those first few years I made many, many trips to and from Indianapolis, visiting family and friends. I remember, on many occasions, driving back to Evansville late on a Sunday night with the windows down and Mr. Mojo Rising ridiing shotgun in my Cutlass. Good times!

Van Halen - Panama (1984)

I grew up on the east side of Indianapolis (Mitthoeffer Road in the house!) and spent most of my youth hanging with my buddy Stephen Pedigo. Stephen had an older brother who could drive...that was awesome and a bit scary. I remember riding to a local fair with Stephen, his brother and one of his brother's friend. We had Panama cranked up. To this day, it's one of my very favorite Van Halen songs.

Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench (1997)

This one here reminds me of my early days in radio. I remember playing this one when it was a brand new release from the Foo's second album The Colour and the Shape. There's a spot early in the song, before the first verse, where the music briefly stops. The thing for us GBF jocks to do back then was to actually pause the CD at that spot (when we still used CD's). We'd pause for an extra second or two before cranking the song back up. Its driving guitars and drums are undeniable...and I dare you not to scream along with Dave at the end of the song!

Hoobastank - Crawling In The Dark (2001)

Track one from their self-titled, debut album. I realize this one is kind of obscure, but I played it the other day and was reminded of how much I enjoy this song. In fact, this song inspired me to write this blog. I first heard this song in a movie theater. It was featured in a Mt. Dew commercial (which features a young Channing Tatum and Godfrey) that played before whatever flick I was seeing. This song just rocks...period!

Halestorm - Love Bites (So Do I) (2012)

I have gone on the record, many times on the radio, and stated that this has become one of my ALL TIME favorite songs. Not just a favorite of the past decade...not a favorite from a female singer...no special guidelines. It is one of my favorites of any song ever made. To say I like this song and this band is an understatement. The song is amazing and the band couldn't be any nicer. I've been lucky enough to meet Lzzy and the boys a handful of times. They are always so welcoming and friendly, and appreciative of what 103GBF has done for their career. They just get it! I like hugging Lzzy too. She's purdy!