I have lived in the east and in the west,moved north and south, hence the next ninety minutes filled with popular tracks taking you around the globe. This episode I dedicate to all young Europeans having their first experience abroad.
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Radar Love | Golden Earring | Written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, the song narrates a driver’s telepathic connection with a lover, symbolizing the power of love and intuition during long journeys. |
| From New York To L.A. | Patsy Gallant | Written by Dennys Lannoy, Philippe Leduc, and Michel Jourdan, it captures the contrasting emotions of a performer’s glamorous yet isolating life between two iconic cities. Patsy Gallant’s disco version turned it into an international hit. |
| American Boy (feat. Kanye West) | Estelle | Written by Estelle, Kanye West, Will.i.am, and others, the song is a playful and romantic homage to American culture from a British perspective. Estelle was inspired by her experiences traveling in the U.S. |
| Englishman in New York | Sting | Written by Sting, the song portrays the eccentricities of being a foreigner in New York City, inspired by author and activist Quentin Crisp. Its iconic saxophone riff was played by Branford Marsalis. |
| America | Simon & Garfunkel | Written by Paul Simon, this Simon & Garfunkel song reflects the optimism and disillusionment of two young lovers traveling across America in search of meaning. It became an anthem of the 1960s counterculture movement. |
| America | Neil Diamond | Written by Neil Diamond, the song celebrates immigration and the pursuit of the American Dream. |
| Don’t Go Back To Rockville | R.E.M. | Written by Mike Mills, this R.E.M. track is a plea to a friend not to leave Athens, Georgia, for the monotony of Rockville, Maryland. It was initially written as a lighthearted joke about a former girlfriend. |
| Every Road Leads Back to You | Bette Midler | Written by Marc Shaiman and performed by Bette Midler, this ballad reflects on the emotional journey of life and love, ultimately finding solace in connection. |
| Leaving Las Vegas | Sheryl Crow | Written by Sheryl Crow and collaborators, this song explores themes of disillusionment and escape, drawing inspiration from John O’Brien’s novel. |
| Massachusetts | Bee Gees | Written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, the Bee Gees reflect on longing for simplicity and home, contrasting with the hippie movement’s westward focus. The Bee Gees had never visited Massachusetts before writing this song. |
| Budapest | George Ezra | Written by George Ezra and Joel Pott, the song humorously lists things Ezra would sacrifice for love, despite never visiting Budapest. |
| Via Con Me | Paolo Conte | Written by Paolo Conte, this jazzy, multilingual track invites listeners to leave everything behind and embrace life’s joys. |
| Walking To New Orleans | Fats Domino | Written by Bobby Charles, the song is Fats Domino’s heartfelt declaration to return to his roots after heartbreak. |
| Stop That Train | Clint Eastwood & General Saint | Written by Clint Eastwood and General Saint, the reggae track humorously portrays the desire to escape emotional turmoil. |
| Exodus | Bob Marley & The Wailers | Written by Bob Marley, the song represents liberation and the spiritual journey to freedom, resonating with Rastafarian ideals. |
| Let’s Go To San Francisco | The Flowerpot Men | Written by John Carter and Ken Lewis, the track celebrates the hippie culture of the 1960s, particularly the San Francisco scene. Despite its success, The Flowerpot Men were a studio band created solely for this track. |
| Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa | Gene Pitney | Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song narrates a man’s temptation by love while on a road trip, leading him away from his intended destination. |
| Do You Know The Way To San Jose | Dionne Warwick | Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song highlights the struggles of making it in Hollywood and yearning for a simpler life in San Jose. |
| Lost In France | Bonnie Tyler | Written by Steve Wolfe and Ronnie Scott, the song captures the enchanting and romantic atmosphere of France, evoking a dreamy, nostalgic mood. Soon after the song’s release, Tyler underwent an operation to remove nodules from her vocal cords. She failed to follow the six-week rest period instructed by her doctor and was left with a permanent, distinct raspy quality. |
| Je reviendrai a Montréal | Robert Charlebois | Written and performed by Robert Charlebois, the song nostalgically reflects on returning to one’s roots in Montreal, Canada. An enduring anthem in Quebecois music, cherished by expatriates. |
| Sail On | Commodores | Lionel Richie wrote a sparkling ballad and soulful breakup song that conveys resilience and hope in moving on from a failed relationship. |
| Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) | Enya | “Orinoco Flow”, also released as “Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)”, is a song written by Irish singer-songwriter Enya, Roma Ryan, and Nicky Ryan. This ethereal track invites listeners to escape to peaceful, exotic destinations. Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin (born 17 May 1961 anglicised as Enya Patricia Brennan) is known mononymously as Enya. |
| I’ll Find My Way Home | Jon & Vangelis | Written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis, the song reflects on spiritual awakening and the journey to self-discovery. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
