Music is an indelible part of the driving experience, says our senior writer.
EVER since radios were installed in cars, music has been a companion to motorists. Whether the songs come from radio stations or your own playlist, music is something that many drivers enjoy while they’re behind the wheel.For performance car owners, a revving engine and burbling exhaust are the main components of their driving soundtrack.
Decades ago, Ferraris did not even come with hi-fi units – the wonderful V8 or V12 powerplant emitted all the right notes. The “instruments” that played these melodies were the cylinders, pistons and valves. But for regular folks with ordinary cars, music can influence a driver’s mood, and perhaps even his driving style. If you enjoy listening to classical music, chances are you’re the relaxed sort who hardly gets frazzled, no matter how annoying the traffic conditions are. I have an ex-colleague who loves trance music.
I’m not into this genre because after hearing a few tracks, I realised that the pulsating, repetitive rhythms just weren’t for me. In fact, I was wary about entering some sort of trance, which would only result in my editor scolding me for being “blur”. I enjoy rock music, but the songs mustn’t be angry or aggressive, lest I be induced into a bout of road rage.
I suppose heavy metal and death metal are out of the question. Oldies are my preferred driving music. Pop songs from the 1960s and 1970s are mellow enough to relax me without lulling me to sleep. When I’m driving home late at night, a few Glenn Miller tracks will help me forget about the stresses of my workday. Indeed, driving and music go hand in hand. Before I set off, though, it’s not music but traffic reports that I listen to first. These will help me avoid jams and maximise my enjoyment behind the wheel.
Some of the “newer” songs that jeremy likes include mighty wings (cheap trick), kickstart my heart (motley crue) and drive (the cars).
