Whether you’re coasting down country roads or just trying to carve out a moment of calm on your daily commute, music has a powerful way of shifting gears in our minds. Private Plates supplier Regtransfers has curated the “Ultimate Relaxing Driving” playlist on Spotify. The handpicked collection of chilled classics is designed to bring a little peace to your journey. Each track from the drive time music playlist is a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy the ride.
Drive Time Music Playlist
The full playlist features 20 tracks (about an hour and a half of music), but below are a few highlights, with a little trivia and reflection on what makes each one such a joy to drive to. The tracks offer up different vibes suitable for any terrain and time of day to keep you going. It includes breezy, nostalgic tunes, uplifting, and feel-good ones to set you up for your journey.
Easy Breezy Ones
Take Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” for example, it is pure nostalgia. There’s something about the drifting opening melody of this Fleetwood Mac classic—paired with Stevie Nicks’s soft, breezy vocal presence—that just oozes calm. Although the song’s inspirations were indeed born from anything but calm – with all five members of Fleetwood Mac experiencing emotional troubles during the recording of Rumours – but with the track fast approaching 50 years of appearing in our record collections, CD wallets, and Spotify playlists, it’s since morphed into an instant mood-melter.
Then there’s The Isley Brothers’ “Summer Breeze”, Parts. 1 & 2. Come on, you knew this was coming. Few songs capture the hazy warmth of summer quite like this, and the clue – if you could even call it that – is in the title. Originally written by Seals & Crofts, the Isley Brothers transformed “Summer Breeze” into something altogether smoother, deeper, and more immersive. Their version stretches out into a two-part soul odyssey, opening with silky harmonies and a gentle guitar lick before gradually layering in Marvin Isley’s rolling bass and Ernie Isley’s sizzling guitar solo. Whether you’re driving along a coastline or through a quiet city at dusk, “Summer Breeze” offers the perfect backdrop for letting go and leaning into the moment.
Melancholy Yet Uplifting
Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill” is the perfect accompaniment to hill starts and hilltop views. Released in 1985 and immortalised anew through Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, Kate Bush’s haunting track explores the longing to swap places with a partner and truly understand their perspectives. The lyrics may be a touch on the heavy side, but the gliding synths, pulsing rhythm, and Bush’s expressive vocals make the whole experience strangely serene. However, if you’re after something fresh but faithful, Meg Myers’ 2019 version modernises the sound while preserving the original’s aching heart.
Dido‘s “White Flag” is an unfortunate truth that the majority of us only know about Dido because we know about Eminem and/or aliens. Back 2000, the American rapper introduced us to the British singer-songwriter after sampling the first verse of Dido’s “Thank You” in his hit single “Stan”. The soft, soothing tone of Dido singing about cold tea contrasts wildly (but perfectly) with the dark themes explored in the song, which details the increasingly desperate – and ultimately fatal – attempts of an Eminem fan to gain his attention.
But that’s not the song we’re talking about. “White Flag” is a certified chill classic about refusing to give up on love. Context is important here, and the kind of emotion Dido sings about in “White Flag” is pure, innocent, and far removed from the emotions of “Stan”.
Feel-Good Energy
Also in 2000, the Irish rock band U2 released their tenth studio album, All That You Can’t Leave Behind, kicking off proceedings with the exceptional audio adventure, “Beautiful Day”. This one’s perfect if you want to ramp things up just a touch without losing the chilled undertone. It’s a rock song, but U2’s unmistakable “arena rock” sound gives it an extra quality of spaciousness that fits well even among more subdued tracks. While the band and song have become a bit cliche in recent years, the song remains an absolute must-have for long drives in broad, open spaces.
It feels strange to call this one a classic, but it is 20 years old, which puts Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.” in the vintage category. This one’s all about two things – the “hilly” bass line and expansive chorus. Much of the music video for this chart-topping, award-winning track takes place in a sky-bound setting, and it’s the perfect visual backdrop for the hazy, time-stopping feelings that take over when this track comes on. It’s a must-have for your relaxing playlist.
Add Your Own Flair and Personality
The right soundtrack can transform the most boring drive into a moment of mindfulness – and while this selection of tracks may not speak to you, we hope it inspires you to create (or add to) your own chilled playlists. Remember that looking after your mental health doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with something as small as pressing play on the right song. However, if you need more support and resources visit Mind, or Mental Health UK.
And if you need inspo of places to visit next, stop by my staycation page. On the staycation page, I share UK destinations suitable for all in the family.
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