As I write these very words, I have just finished my bimonthly dive into my Spotify homepage as I often do when on the hunt for a subject to write my column about. However, something surprising jumped out at me this time amid the limitless AI-generated playlists and shockingly devastating algorithmic recommendations: My countless number of driving playlists. As a fairly new driver with a deep love for my formidable Hyundai, I have found that nothing brings me greater joy than selecting the perfect song for the treacherous journey out of the school parking lot. Thus, I have decided to take it upon myself to teach all of you how to craft the perfect (yes, genuinely perfect) playlist for the road.
To me, the algorithm is simple, with the key lying in the correct ratio of more upbeat than lowkey songs. I can tell you that there is nothing more painful than trying not to cry while barrelling 75 miles per hour down the 101 because you chose to bask in the melodrama of something sad after a bad day (definitely not speaking from experience). A personal favorite of mine for a high-energy drive is De La Soul’s 1989 “3 Feet High and Rising,” a silly and overindulgent hip-hop record with some seriously satisfying samples. This album is just plain fun, and the experience is heightened with some good old-fashioned windows down singing along! I especially love “The Magic Number,” “Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)” and “Eye Know.”
Another relatively high-energy album that has carried me through many miles of travel around this city is the absolutely perfect 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” by the magical Ms. Lauryn Hill. This record is an exceptional mix of a few different genres, notably hip-hop and R&B. The raw beauty of this thing leaves me speechless every time. Every single track is a shining star, but my current favorites include “Lost Ones” and “To Zion (featuring Carlos Santana).”
Finally, no driving playlist is complete without the balance of a few relaxing songs to keep me below the speed limit. I would hope that you’re all aware of the sheer power of this record by now: Taylor Swift’s masterpiece “evermore” (2020). Listening to this record through my tinny car speakers on late-night drives is genuinely the closest I will ever get to God. It’s almost impossible to pick favorites, but currently, I would die for “ivy,” “right where you left me – bonus track” off of the deluxe version and “marjorie,” which has one of my favorite T Swift bridges of all time (extremely high praise).
Thank you all so much for reading, and I sincerely hope that I have inspired an elevated soundtrack to your next driving adventure. Until next time, and don’t forget to buckle up!
