Pack your bags and get ready for a musical journey! We're counting down the ultimate playlist that will ignite your wanderlust and inspire you to explore the world. From folk-inspired tunes to classic rock anthems, these songs capture the spirit of adventure and the thrill of the open road.
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00:00Welcome to MissMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best examples of
00:07songs that inspire travel, exploration, and or wanderlust of any kind.
00:1220. Sleep on the Floor – The Lumineers
00:20For this folk-inspired tune, the Lumineers tap into a feeling that we have all had at
00:24one point or another.
00:2520. Sleep on the Floor – The Lumineers
00:31The lyrics tell a compelling story about wanting to escape a town. Sleep on the Floor lets
00:35us all live out the fantasy of leaving one place, only to hopefully find something better
00:39in another.
00:4020. Sleep on the Floor – The Lumineers
00:46Wesley Schultz sings over a charming track that's packed to the brim with emotional details.
00:51Whether it's about a physical place or a new mental state, we all wish for this kind of
00:55positive change in our lives.
00:5620. Sleep on the Floor – The Lumineers
01:02The hopeful single reminds us to be spontaneous, inspiring us to push forward and find that
01:07satisfying destination.
01:0820. Sleep on the Floor – The Lumineers
01:1419. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
01:17How far would you travel for someone you care about? Vanessa Carlton delves into those emotions
01:22in a pop ballad filled with heartfelt words.
01:2420. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
01:29A Thousand Miles is a shameless tribute to the passion that makes us do drastic things.
01:33This includes heading to the ends of the earth for romance, backed by an orchestral arrangement
01:38that could sweep you off your feet.
01:3920. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
01:44Carlton's piano arrangement hypnotizes listeners while the singer's lyrics make us believe
01:49in love again.
01:5020. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
01:58While it's been a pop culture staple for over 20 years, it still makes a strong statement
02:03about following your heart.
02:0420. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
02:0818. Salisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
02:11In this early solo effort, Peter Gabriel reminds everyone that he's much more than the former
02:15Genesis frontman.
02:1620. Salisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
02:23Gabriel's mystical song describes a transformative trip to the title location.
02:27His smooth voice brings to life the details of the experience, creating great descriptions
02:32of the scenery and the event.
02:3320. Salisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
02:40Listening to this song, you might be jealous of the singer's physical and spiritual journey.
02:44With an upbeat sound, this pop number makes you want to find your own happy place.
02:4820. Salisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
02:55It doesn't have to be a hilltop in England, either. At the end of the day, this classic
02:58never fails to send you to a faraway place.
03:0120. Salisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
03:0717. Come Sail Away – Styx
03:10Using all of their best tricks, Styx imbues one of their finest tracks with an elaborate
03:14setup.
03:1520. Styx – Come Sail Away
03:21Dennis DeYoung slowly builds the scene with bold images and allusions to sailing.
03:26The singer and piano take you on a magical and musical adventure, finally kicking things
03:30into high gear with a rocking transition.
03:3220. Styx – Come Sail Away
03:36The entire band then joins in for the energetic chorus of Come Sail Away.
03:3920. Styx – Come Sail Away
03:42There's also hints at an extraordinary trip that takes you across the ocean and even into
03:47space.
03:48No matter what faraway place that this song is exploring, it's made even better by the
03:52elaborate production.
03:5320. Styx – Come Sail Away
03:5616. Holiday – Madonna
03:58The kind of vacation that Madonna sings about might just be one of the greatest ever.
04:0116. Holiday – Madonna
04:08Her fun and poptastic energy inspires listeners to finally take that trip they've always wanted.
04:12Holiday's bubbly production is so catchy that it might just hypnotize you and before you
04:17know it, you'll be on that dream vacation. In your mind, at least.
04:2016. Holiday – Madonna
04:26You'll be magically transported to your ideal destination by the time this reaches the chorus.
04:3116. Holiday – Madonna
04:37Even if you don't have any time off, this song serves as the perfect substitute for
04:41all your traveling fantasies.
04:4316. Holiday – Madonna
04:4915. Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls
04:52Not every journey has to be over a long distance.
04:5415. Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls
04:58Sometimes they play out in the mind, with the traveler taking great strides to find
05:02themselves. This is partly what Closer to Fine is all about.
05:0516. Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls
05:10The Indigo Girls craft a song that digs into the mysteries of life, with the promise of
05:14self-discovery around every corner. They take you to the mountains and back again in a hopeful
05:18tune. Younger listeners might recognize this song from Barbie, while longtime fans have
05:23appreciated this message for many years.
05:2517. Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls
05:31Maybe another listen to this indie classic will prompt you to do your own soul-searching.
05:3514. Citys – Talking Heads
05:43The innovative Talking Heads charted an experimental course through the 1970s and 1980s. Their
05:55third album, Fear of Music, includes one of their most travel-friendly songs.
05:59Citys is arguably one of the funkiest travelogues ever, sending listeners on a worldwide tour
06:04of desirable destinations. David Byrne's eccentric delivery only adds to the overall experience.
06:09There's a city for everyone, it seems, with each one having unique features and fun tidbits
06:21to learn about.
06:22The band's bouncy energy only makes this sonic trip that much more enticing. If you
06:33only know them for their bigger hits, you should definitely investigate this track for
06:37more fascinating and educational insights.
06:4013. Sailing – Christopher Cross
06:47For this most recognizable hit, Christopher Cross uses sailing as a metaphor. It was inspired
06:58by going boating with a friend to escape the troubles of his life. You don't need to love
07:02the open ocean to find something stirring about this musical tale. The yacht Rock Staple
07:11speaks to the wonders of a good distraction, sending your mind to a far-off place. It
07:20also has an almost therapeutic quality with its soothing guitar and piano parts. Cross's
07:25lyrics seek to find inner peace, giving us another reason to love hobbies that encourage
07:29us to explore the unknown.
07:3312. Mexico – James Taylor
07:39Some people have a vacation spot that they go to in their dreams. You don't necessarily
07:47have to know much about this destination either, only that you hope to get there soon. For
07:51James Taylor, he imagines the beauty of one country in particular. Mexico represents an
08:04exotic place that the artist hopes to travel to someday. Taylor's easygoing delivery takes
08:08you to a better place in and of itself. The happy beat carries you away, with the man's
08:16soothing voice transporting listeners to a better state of mind. It's another excuse
08:20to take a load off and consider some time for relaxation.
08:2511. Vienna – Billy Joel
08:29Featured on his album The Stranger, Billy Joel crafts another incredible story through
08:34song. The piano man spins a yarn about someone trying to find themselves. Mentioning the
08:45Austrian city, Joel uses it to talk about concepts like aging. Sometimes you need to
08:56slow down and enjoy the moment without moving so fast. Vienna gives listeners a gentle reminder
09:01that their dreams don't have to come true right away. Partially inspired by his past
09:13and his own family, the singer weaves together complicated memories into a beautiful message.
09:18The European city comes alive in a metaphorical sense, teaching a lesson about the maturity
09:23and perspective that comes with age.
09:2810. Running On Empty – Jackson Brown
09:35Using beautiful descriptions, Jackson Brown puts us all in a nomadic state of mind. His
09:43song Running On Empty mixes up a cocktail of nostalgia infused with the feeling of not
09:47being tied down. The road imagery helps to tell a tale of searching and not worrying
09:52about the past or how much gas is in the tank. Brown's storytelling feels like the
10:00perfect combination for a long drive. No matter how much you listen to it, the single only
10:04enhances everything from a casual ride to a life-changing trip. The artist's writing
10:15keeps you engaged, inspiring everyone from the average listener to Forrest Gump to go
10:20the extra mile.
10:249. Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham
10:30Most people probably remember this song from the original National Lampoon's Vacation.
10:35Despite its 1980s pop vibes, Holiday Road still feels like one of the ultimate travel
10:44songs of any decade. While the video might have more sinister undertones, the song itself
10:48is undeniably catchy, with an awesome hook at its core. You might even find yourself
10:54singing along with the chorus, if you can reach the high notes. And if you have fond
10:58memories of the Vacation series, you'll also associate this single with plenty of comedic
11:03adventures. Buckingham surely knows how to make a vacation sound appealing.
11:098. Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
11:13With its heavy metal thunder, this song is the ideal choice to accompany road escapades
11:19in films like Easy Rider. It's also one of the hardest rock releases about hitting the
11:28open highway. Some might even call it groundbreaking, combining a free-spirited point of view with
11:33the universal need for adventure. Steppenwolf provides an electric sound that
11:43hypes you up to explore the world in a loud vehicle. Whether or not you own a cool ride,
11:48this track arguably wants you to set out on your next trip in style. There's also a message
11:58about the freedom of the road that appeals to generations of travelers.
12:047. Take Me Home – Country Roads – John Denver
12:09Who doesn't love this iconic John Denver track? You don't have to be from West Virginia to
12:18appreciate the places this song takes you. Denver and his co-writers created an ode to
12:22the Country Roads of America. The roots in question could be from anywhere, connecting
12:31listeners from all 50 states and beyond to places they call home. It also features descriptions
12:36that might entice you to get off the highway and explore another path. The singer's calming
12:46voice lulls audiences into a loving tribute to all the places we call home.
12:526. Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed – John Denver
12:58From his time in the Velvet Underground to his solo work, Lou Reed never held back as
13:02an artist. His single, Walk on the Wild Side, is an unlikely snapshot of alternative America.
13:15With references to real people, the iconic hit tells the story of outcasts heading for
13:20life in the city. The singer is blunt about these people's adventures, with both authentic
13:31and sometimes graphic depictions about their lives. Through it all, he encourages free
13:35spirits and marginalized people to embrace their wild side. His words provide a poetic
13:44look at the early 1970s, inspiring people ever since to look beyond their ordinary lives.
13:515. Life is a Highway – Tom Cochran – John Denver
13:56In the early 1990s, Tom Cochran released a hit that still resonates to this day. Life
14:05is a Highway features a message about breaking free from the confines of your routine and
14:10living in the moment. Cochran's chorus makes you want to celebrate what you have and not
14:14take anything for granted. The highway of our lives represents all of the hopes, dreams,
14:23and possibilities that awaits us. With a spiritual vocal, the singer talks about taking
14:27on the road while we're still able. Many people might remember the Rascal Flats cover
14:38further illustrating the song's enduring quality with newer fans.
14:454. I've Been Everywhere – Hank Snow Originally written by Australian Joff
14:53Mack, I've Been Everywhere eventually made its way around the world. Hank Snow famously
15:00recorded an American version in 1962. You might have heard this song from any number
15:04of artists, with everyone from country to metal bands paying tribute to the classic
15:09concept. With so many people covering this track, it's only fair to say that it's become
15:13a cultural touchstone. The many name-checked cities represent the ultimate traveler's bucket
15:22list. It's also impressive to hear the vocalists rattle off places with such efficiency. You
15:33don't have to be American to find this version appealing, but there's also many variations
15:37to satisfy your wanderlust.
15:403. America – Simon & Garfunkel With a career of legendary tracks, America
15:46puts Paul Simon's songwriting talents on full display. This single nails down the feeling
15:56of being on a transformative road trip with your partner. Not only does Simon have an
16:00eye for details, he puts the listener right in the middle of the action. You feel like
16:09you're joining him on a bus trip to see the bright spots of the country. There's also
16:13plenty of small moments between characters, bringing a literary quality to the writing.
16:22Savoring every rich detail, this might be one of the most poetic odes to the nation.
16:292. Rome – The B-52s Always ready to have a good time, the B-52s
16:38push boundaries and defy expectations in their eclectic career. This song, Rome, sounds
16:50like one of the ultimate tributes to travel, while also being a testament to their musical
16:53abilities. The single celebrates a love for seeking new experiences and searching every
17:05corner of the Earth. With the wonderful voices of Kate Pearson and Cindy Wilson, the group
17:09sings angelic notes that expand your mind. The late 1980s hit makes you feel happier
17:16more than anything. When the firecracker track ends, you might even want to get your passport
17:22stamped.
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17:431. On the Road Again – Willie Nelson From the Honeysuckle Rose soundtrack, this
17:48song has been a classic since the 1980s. It speaks to the power of Willie Nelson's writing
17:59that this feels both vintage and refreshing. The timeless tune embraces the future and
18:03the possibilities of a road trip. With an easygoing vibe, On the Road Again features
18:13a likable sound that even non-country fans can love. You can't help but love the fun-loving
18:18and positive lyrics from Nelson. The skilled songwriter makes you want to sing along before
18:26taking on the open road yourself. His storytelling abilities here contribute to his beloved
18:30status in music. Did we forget about a track that makes you want to hit the road? Let us
18:37know in the comments below.