Trapped in a car, on an endless road trip, with your ex-hippie Dad’s “Gipsy Kings” tape on repeat – we’ve all been there. Whether you were dancing around the kitchen while your mom made dinner or unwillingly being subjected to Dad’s air-guitar during cocktail parties, there are certain songs you’ll probably never hear without singing along to every word. For a long time, it was the only music we knew.
Of course, everyone’s parents conditioned them differently, but here are 15 of the ultimate throwbacks, in no particular order:
1. "Ripple" - Grateful Dead
At least one of your parents is likely a former flower child, and while their 70s dance moves were probably frightening, you wouldn't be their kid if you weren't also a bit of a Dead Head.
2. "September" - Earth, Wind & Fire
You recognize it by the first few seconds of the song.
3. "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" - Paul Simon
You knew all the words to this before you knew how to say "Ladysmith Black Mumbazo."
4. "Fire and Rain" - James Taylor
This is how you fell asleep when you were 5. "JT" was probably your first crush, and you can recognize his voice anywhere.
5. "Wish You Were Here" - Pink Floyd
My dad has this guitar intro set as his ringtone. Enough said.
6. "Don't Stand So Close to Me" - The Police
I dare you not to dance to this song, young or old.
7. "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
No middle school slow dance has been complete without it since 1980.
8. "Piano Man" - Billy Joel
Vienna lovers: it was a close second, but Piano Man just has to be on this list.
9. "Rock Lobster" - B-52s
It honestly makes you wonder what kind of substances they had lying around in the 80s.
10. "Born in the U.S.A." - Bruce Springsteen
The Boss himself incalculably impacted our childhoods.
11. "Brown-Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison
A staple of classic rock from a staple songwriter.
12. "Go Your Own Way" - Fleetwood Mac
A song that doesn't remind me of childhood so much as adolescence. This song is one to literally grow up to.
13. "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor
Many a parent has attempted to hit these high notes, usually without success and always met with their children's mortification.
14. "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis Presley
"Jailhouse Rock" was a close second, but the Elvis tapes were certainly foundational.
15. "Hotel California" - The Eagles
Last but not least, a road trip song like no other.
