Six Songs to Inspire Travel
We wrap up this media week with songs that inspire travel.
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Like all of our lists this past week this was not easy to narrow down our choices to only six. There are many other songs out there that make us want to travel. Even as I write this introduction I am thinking of others but I won’t bore you with my thoughts, let us know if you have any songs that make you want to visit a country or city.
1. England
"I'm so sick from the drink, I need home for a Rest"
Home for a Rest, Spirit of the West
“You’ll have to excuse me I’m not at my best,
I’ve Been Gone for a Month,
I’ve Been Drunk Since I left.
These so called vacations will soon be my death,
I’m so sick from the Drink,
I need home for a rest“….
This song by Canada’s Spirit of the West always makes me want to go to London, England and hang out in the pubs. I think about all the travels we have done and when we do come home, we need a rest. Travel is exhausting and when you add pub crawling to the mix, it is doubly exhausting. And you need home for a rest.
2. Africa
Kilimanjaro Rises Like Olympus from the Serengeti" - Toto
-“The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti”
This song was on my ipod during our cycles through Africa and it wasn’t until I camped through the continent that the lyrics meant so much to me. The wild dogs cry all night long in Africa and as we lay in our tent listening to them, I thought of this song. And it wasn’t until I witnessed Kilimanjaro that I saw how it rose up from the continent. Africa by Toto is beautiful.
3. Everywhere
"Crossed the Deserts Bare Man" -Johnny Cash
I’ve Been Every Where, Johnny Cash
“I’ve been everywhere, man.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.”
Only Johnny Cash can make a list sound cool. Between each chorus he sings a list of cities and countries and he sounds good doing it. He may not have been all over the world, but in this song the hero has been everywhere in the United States, Canada and some of Central America. This song go on a road trip.
What is super cool about this song is that it was originally written for Australia and it listed a bunch of towns across that nation. It was Hank Snow that brought it to number one in America. But it is Johnny Cash that has endured.
4. New York
New York State Of Mind
“Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighbourhood
Hop a flight to Miami beach or Hollywood.
I’m taking a greyhound on the Hudson river line
I’m in a new york state of mind”
Every time I hop on a bus, this song pops into my mind. Imagine how much it ran through my head when Dave and I actually took the Greyhound from New York to Toronto last month. This song is so simple. It mentions a few locations in New York and a few publications from the city and that is about it. But the feel is so bluesy and fluid, that it makes you want to go to new york and join the cool kids in the jazz bars.
5. Bali
"Bali in my Eyes"
Bali Eyes ( LP Version )
“Ate a mushroom turned into Bali
Didn’t look it just jumped down my throat
I was starting to die until I
Took a trip to Bali
Their eyes are God
In a glass full of jelly
It’s Bali in my eyes”
We found this song when we were looking for some music to go with some video footage we took of Bali. This song is melodic and lyrical. The live version is far better than the recording. Whenever I think of Bali, I think of Bali eyes. This song took over for the song that I sang in college, Bali H’ai
6. Bangkok
This Grips me more than would a reclining Buddha
One Night In Bangkok
One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free
You’ll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you’re lucky then the god’s a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
It wasn’t until we went to Bangkok that I actually listened to the lyrics and understood that this song has captured Bangkok bang on. I never clued into the Gods a she line until I witnessed the abundance of Lady Men in Bangkok, I didn’t even hear the line “This grips me more than would a muddy old river or reclining Buddha.” Ah yes, I got it after visiting Bangkok.
17 Responses to Six Songs to Inspire Travel
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Totally agree with “NY State of Mind”, in fact, it was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of your post, even before I read it! I’d add “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” too, corny as it may be. For Africa Ismael Lo’s “Jammu Africa”. Listening to him sing it in concert in the Canary Islands a couple of years ago, together with some African friends and an audience comprised over 50% African ex-pats was one of the most moving experiences of my life. And for Ireland “Danny Boy” of course.
Excellent suggestions. I agree with Left My Heart and Danny Boy. I am a sucker for old musicals, movies and jazz tunes. I will have to do another post on the old standards that inspire travel. Thanks for the idea:) I was thinking of songs from On the Town, South Pacific etc. Now I will definitely have to put a compilation together. I will check out Jammu Africa. Sound wonderful.
We have this music player at my work, it plays the same 500 hundred songs over and over. Despite the fact I’m really sick of hearing Land Down Under by Men At Work, it’s really made me want to travel to Australia. I always like to put a song of the place I’m traveling to before a trip, like I listened to London Calling by The Clash before I went over to London or Viva Las Vegas by Elvis before going to Vegas. Coming home from a trip I listen to Alberta Bound by Paul Brandt, it captures what it’s like to live in Alberta.
.-= Alouise´s last blog ..List 9 – How To Have A Cheesy Time At West Edmonton Mall =-.
You are so right, the Land Down Under is perfect. I was going to put that in and then got sidetracked. Truthfully this was going to be a post of 10 songs, but then I thought Six Songs sounded catchier:) Thanks for the suggestion. My favorite line in that song…”He just smiled and give me a vegemite sandwich”
This is a charming song collection! The choice of a couple songs made me laugh out loud.
.-= Sonya´s last blog ..Go Green Summer Vacation =-.
Great list – Johnny Cash is the best all around!
Thanks,
Ed
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As corny as it may sound, but my inspiration for travelling to San Francisco was Scott McKenzie’s San Francisco
When I did get to visit SF I realized I have found a city that is competing with NYC on the title ‘where I want to live when I retire’.
.-= Merav | AllWays Rental´s last blog ..Tips for keeping yourself safe on the slopes =-.
The only song on your list that I didn’t know before was #1, but the others are all in my iTunes! And I definitely agree that they do make me want to go visit the places being sung about – especially #2, #4, and #6. Great list!
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..PR-Blogger Relations Manifesto =-.
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These songs are very amazing to listen and also inspire anyone to travel.But my favorite sing is New York State of Mind by Billie Joel. Billie Joel is a great singer of America.I have a collection of his songs and is shared in torrents.
I agree, I just love New York State of Mind. Growing up, Billie Joel was one of my favorite singers. He is just awesome.
I’m in for Johnny Cash. I always liked that song.
this is a great song collections.
When I was in Bangkok, I couldn’t stop humming that song “One Night In Bangkok”. I think that one hit the nail on the head.
.-= Steve´s last blog ..The Myth That Americans Don’t Travel =-.
Hi all
I know its been a while since the discussion ended on this topic, however I was hoping someone would still see this post. I am currently conducting research into the growing potential of music tourism and how different aspects of music can actually influence people to travel to a destination. My research is mainly focussed on Belfast, however I am looking for opinions from people all over the world. I would really appreciate it if you could visit my blog at http://music-tourism.blogspot.com. I would really love to hear your comments.
Thanks so much for your help.
Ciara