Celebrating our dearest friend Søren’s birthday with this playlist of related tracks. Feliz Cumple!
| TITLE | ARTIST | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Birthday | Altered Images | Written by Clare Grogan and bandmates. Inspired by youthful crushes and coming-of-age excitement. Altered Images were a Scottish new wave band fronted by Grogan. This track’s bouncy energy masks the awkwardness of young love. |
| Congratulations | Cliff Richard | Written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. Originally submitted for Eurovision, it became a celebratory classic. Richard, a British pop legend, brought cheerful charm to this upbeat declaration of joy. |
| Son of My Father | Chicory Tip | Written by Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte, and Michael Holm. One of the first pop hits to feature a synthesizer. Chicory Tip, a UK glam rock band, made this ode to generational tension into a catchy synth-driven anthem. |
| A Hard Day’s Night | The Beatles | Written by Lennon–McCartney. Inspired by a Ringo Starr malapropism. The Beatles captured the exhaustion and reward of a working day turned rock gig in this film theme song. It was Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr that used the expression first and later repeated by John Lennon in his book In His Own Write before ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ was used as a movie and song title. |
| 9 To 5 | Dolly Parton | Written by Dolly Parton. Inspired by women’s workplace struggles. Parton, a country icon and cultural legend, wrote it for the film of the same name — a cheerful protest wrapped in a singalong. This epic song from 1980 by Dolly Parton from the movie “9 to 5” speaks to the frustrations – and hopes – of the average working-class person and exposes the gender balance in the workplace. It didn’t start any kind of movement at that time, but it did push the issue forward. The film is worth watching. Not only because it’s a funny classic movie but also to better understand the statements and the sounds in the song. |
| Sixteen Tons | Tennessee Ernie Ford | Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford was written in 1947 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Rosewood, Kentucky Merle Travis and based on the experiences of his coal-mining family. His brother, John Travis, who wrote him a letter quoting the sentence “It’s like working in the coal mines. You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.” and his father who told a neighbour, “I can’t afford to die. I owe my soul to the general store,” inspiring the lyrics: Saint Peter don’t you call me, ’cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to the company store. |
| Bruxelles je t’aime | Angèle | “Bruxelles je t’aime” (transl. Brussels I love you) is a song by Belgian singer-songwriter Angèle, born in 1995 in Ukkel as Angèle Joséphine Aimée Van Laeken. She composed “Bruxelles je t’aime” during the first COVID lockdown to express her love for her hometown where all her family and childhood friends live. The song was released in October 2021. While she might miss her home city, she mainly lives in Paris. |
| Take Back The City | Snow Patrol | Written by Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Tom Simpson, Paul Wilson, and Jonny Quinn, this anthem is about rediscovering and embracing a city’s beauty despite its flaws, inspired by Belfast. |
| Ride Like The Wind | Christopher Cross | “Ride Like The Wind” by Christopher Cross with vocals by Michael McDonald, tells the story of a condemned man on the run to Mexico. Cross, who lived in San Antonio near Mexico, found inspiration for the composition from the 1973 Paul McCartney & Wings song “Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five.” |
| Baby Driver | Simon & Garfunkel | Paul Simon wrote and performed this playful, fast-paced song about driving fast and living life on the edge, which featured in the 1970s film “The Graduate”. |
| Drive My Car | The Beatles | Written by Lennon–McCartney. A playful role-reversal story about a woman offering a man the keys to her career. The Beatles used clever metaphor and funk-influenced riffs to drive home this punchy hit. |
| Mercedes Benz (Remix) | Janis Joplin | “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin, one of the last tracks she ever recorded as she died three days later, on October 4, 1970. Written by Janis Joplin, Michael McClure, Bob Neuwirth. Originally recorded a cappella in 1970 as a satire on consumerism. Janis, a blues-rock legend, channels raw humor and irony. The remix adds psychedelic punch. |
| Roadrunner | The Modern Lovers | Jonathan Richman wrote and performed this proto-punk song celebrating the excitement of driving fast and exploring new places. Inspired by nighttime drives and the magic of FM radio. Richman’s minimalist rock captures freedom, repetition, and teenage alienation. A punk precursor to GPS soul-searching. The Modern Lovers’ “Roadrunner” became a punk rock staple, with its minimalist style. |
| The Passenger | Iggy Pop | Iggy Pop wrote the lyrics for “The Passenger” and guitarist Ricky Gardiner composed the riff. This “simple celebration of life” was recorded in 1977 during his ‘exile’ in West-Berlin and while sharing an apartment with David Bowie and friends. Inspired by Jim Morrison’s poetry and Pop’s own travels. The proto-punk poet of Detroit turned existential wandering into a hypnotic groove. |
| Born To Be Wild | Steppenwolf | “Get your motor runnin’ and Head out on the highway” “Born to Be Wild” by the American-Canadian rock band Steppenwolf. The song featured (during the opening credits) in the 1969 road movie “Easy Rider“ about two bikers who travel through the American Southwest and South, carrying the proceeds from a cocaine deal. |
| I’m in Love With My Car | Queen | Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor wrote this quirky song as a tribute to his love for cars. The revving sounds at the conclusion of the song were a recording of Taylor’s then current car, an Alfa Romeo. The lyrics were inspired by one of the band’s roadies, Johnathan Harris, whose Triumph TR4 was evidently the “love of his life”. |
| Driver’s seat | Sniff ‘N’ The Tears | “Driver’s Seat” is a 1978 song by the British one-hit wonder Sniff ‘n’ the Tears. According to Paul Roberts, “Driver’s Seat” isn’t about driving, but rather “fragmented, conflicting thoughts and emotions that might follow the break-up of a relationship”. Several car related commercials have been using the song ever since. |
| The Race | Yello | “The Race”, a song by Swiss band Yello, released in April 1988, written by Boris Blank and Dieter Meier. Inspired by the thrill of motorsport and synth-powered adrenaline. Yello, the Swiss electronic duo, produced a cult classic that mixes humor, speed, and surreal sound. |
| Let It Roll | Little Feat | Paul Barrère, Bill Payne wrote this road-trip song reflecting the desire for freedom and movement. This song is a fan favourite of Little Feat, especially known for its live performances. |
| Freeway Of Love | Aretha Franklin | Written by Jeffrey Cohen and Narada Michael Walden, performed by Aretha Franklin, the song uses a car as a metaphor for romance and freedom. |
| (I’m A) Roadrunner | Jr. Walker & The All Stars | “(I’m a) Road Runner” by Junior Walker & the Allstars is a one of the greatest R&B singles ever made. It first appeared on their debut album “Shotgun” in 1965 and because of its success was repeated on the following album. The record sleeve pictured a running bird similar to the Road Runner cartoon character, part of the successful Looney Tunes universe at that time. |
| Mustang Sally | Wilson Pickett | “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Picket, released in 1966, was written by Bonny Rice, also known as Sir Mack Rice and recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Inspired by a joke about buying a Mustang. Pickett turned the song into a soul standard, with swagger and warnings about a woman with more horsepower than commitment. |
| Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out | Freak Power | Written by Ashley Slater, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), and Jesse Graham. Inspired by 60s counterculture slogans. Freak Power fused acid jazz, funk, and soul. Lyrics mix groovy escapism with ironic commentary. Freak Power was a band founded by bassist Norman Cook (later known as Fatboy Slim), Ashley Slater (vocalist and trombonist), and backing vocalist Jesse Graham. |
| White Walls (ft. ScHoolboy Q & Hollis) | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | Written by Ben Haggerty, Ryan Lewis, and featured artists. Inspired by the thrill of car culture and status. Macklemore injects nostalgia and humour into a modern spin on chrome dreams. |
| Low Rider | War | “Low Rider” is a song written by American funk band War in 1975. The vocals are from saxophonist Charles Miller, A low rider is a customised car with a lowered body initially designed by Mexican-American youth in Los Angeles, California, to cruise as slowly as possible, |
| We Are the Champions | Holly Wilson | Holly Wilson covered many hits in bossa nova style: Pink Floyd (2006), Genesis (2007) and Abba (2011). In 2006 she released the album “Queen En Bossa Nova”, featuring ‘We Are the Champions’. |
| Live Is Life | Opus | Written by Austrian rock band Opus as a celebratory anthem for their 11th anniversary concert. Inspired by live performance energy. The lyrics are a chant about unity, joy, and living in the moment. Diego Maradona turned ‘Live Is Life’ into a timeless hit in 1989, during his warming up with Italian football club Napoli for a game against Bayern Munich. |
| Viva la Vida | Coldplay | Frontman Chris Martin told he was inspired by the phrase on a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo called Sandías con leyenda: Viva la vida. He explained: “She went through a lot of s–t, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said ‘Viva la Vida.’ I just loved the boldness of it.” |
| The Best | Tina Turner | Also known as “Simply The Best,” by Tina Turner, was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler in 1988 and written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight. Inspired by recognising someone who lifts you up. Tina, a powerhouse of passion and perseverance, turned this into an empowering anthem of admiration and resilience. |
| You’ll Never Walk Alone | Gerry & The Pacemakers | “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. The Liverpudlian Merseybeat group Gerry and the Pacemakers’ successful cover was released in 1963. The song quickly became the football anthem of Liverpool F.C., which adopted “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as its official motto on its coat of arms. |
| 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. Midler’s rich voice weaves hope and longing through each lyric, finding fate in every detour. |
| Forever Young | Bob Dylan | “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan, released in 1974, was written as a lullaby for his eldest son Jesse, born in 1966, relating a father’s hopes that his child will remain strong and happy. |
| Happy Birthday | Stevie Wonder | Written by Stevie Wonder as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Stevie, a musical genius and activist, used this celebration anthem to help campaign for MLK Day in the U.S. |
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.
