Turn Up The Radio
There’s something about music and cars - a match made in Heaven. As a teen cruising in my ride (a ’72 VW Beetle), back before digital media and streaming, I’d be listen to tunes mostly on the radio, beholden to the DJs and what they’d play. Rotating through my preset stations, usually WCCC, “The Rock”, WHCN, “The River” famous for album oriented rock, rock blocks, and double shots, and WPLR out of New Haven, I’d search for the best song in the moment. And now and then, I’d stumble upon a song that would instantly inspire a spontaneous right hand to the volume knob, spinning it clockwise to crank up the volume. So what better inspiration for a playlist than songs that made me, over the years, as Autograph wails in the refrain of their song, “turn up the radio.”
Obviously some band and albums inspire cranking up the volume, like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, hair metal, etc. But I’m talking about individual songs that back before streaming, in the car or at home, would make you turn the radio up. They were songs you couldn’t get loud enough. Many were hard driving songs, but some were just amazing acoustically with the fullness of their sound, and others were songs you loved so much you wanted to just hear every little detail.
Some of my favorites include Led Zep’s “Immigrant Song” and “Good Times, Bad Times,” Rush’s “Tom Sawyer,” Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” Dire Strait’s “Money For Nothing,” Boston’s “Long Time,” The Kinks’ “Do It Again,” Yes’ “Leave It,” Scorpions “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear The Reaper,” ZZ Top’s “La Grange,” Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’,” Steve Miller Band’s “Jungle Love,” Steely Dan’s “Hey Nineteen,” Human League’s “Fascination,” Eagles “Seven Bridges Road,” Spandau Ballet’s “True.” An instant turn the volume to “11” while riding in my car.
While I think you’ll enjoy listening to my playlist, as I think it’s pretty great, remember they’re songs that made ME turn up the radio. My further intent and hope with this blog is to inspire you to make your own list of songs that make you want to immediately reach for that volume control (likely no longer a knob). Then, when listening, you can set the volume to “11” and listen to your whole list. I had lots of fun doing this one, and love cranking it up in my car, though I do get a little embarrassed in parking lots or in my neighborhood, and feel obligated to turn it down a bit…