I’ve always had this fantasy about taking a trip with nothing but the clothes on my back and some beef jerky wrapped in a handkerchief. I love the idea of that kind of freedom—no “professional outfits” for appearances, no hair products, no assortment of appropriate yet comfortable shoes, no “oh no what if I need that one cardigan with the pockets?” panic. I figure this research trip is my best chance. The only thing resembling an appearance is the casual fan meetup, and I am doing one leg of the trip by train (okay…sleeping car, not boxcar), so it feels right. I’m putting on my jeans, sweater, and boots and packing light. That rhymed. Maybe I will write a road song.
Some road songs (hi Justin!):
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road – Lucinda Williams
The Road’s My Middle Name – Bonnie Raitt
Guitar Town – Steve Earle
Ventura Highway – America
Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots
Next Best Western – Richard Shindell
And here’s one I bet you don’t know – The Girl Who Never Saw a Mountain by Vince Bell, from his masterpiece, Phoenix:
‘Cross the plains
like a rangefire,
lakes like inland seas.
Freezing fields of powder
full moon flying through the trees.
Got to get that one onto iPod before I leave. (What, you think that hobo doesn’t have an iPod wrapped up in his bundle?)
7 comments for this post
It’s uncanny, your resemblance to that hobo.
Great playlist. “America” (Simon and Garfunkel) is my favorite road song, if you are looking for additions.
Good thing an iPod is small enough to fit in yo’ bundle.
Sara Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
@Emily Wing Smith, Oh, S&G are good.
I like to imagine this particular hobo with an iPod Nano. Pink.
John White has some good road songs.
How can you have a list of road trip songs and leave off Willie Nelson? I’m also a big fan of putting Magnolia Mountain by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals on my road trip mixes. It’s one of those songs that sounds like being on the road for ten hours straight with the sun beating through the windows.
Sara Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
@Miss_Tammy, Haha! It is not comprehensive. And – I ALWAYS have Magnolia Mountain and all Ryan on my iPod. Sigh.
Sara Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
@Miss_Tammy, P.S. that was a big sigh for the love of Ryan.
Sara! It has been too long since we’ve been in touch, and there you are as a Google Alert. Thank you for the kind words on “Girl.”
Please be in touch when you can and we’ll catch up. All the very best, Sarah
sarah_wrightson@vincebell.com