Songs for the "Drive" to Celebrate 100 Years of Indiana Motor Speedway

The racing world just recognized the 100^th anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The track of course has been the home of the Indy 500, the most famous race in the history of the United States.

Though the emergence of NASCAR has resulted in less importance placed on the Indy 500, the track is unquestionably the symbol of auto racing. Since it opened on August 12, 1909, the track has been one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Midwest.

To honor the 100^th birthday of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I made as list of my favorite drive songs. By the way, I gladly omitted perhaps the most famous of the "drive" songs, the annoying "I Can't Drive 55" by Sammy Hagar.

10. "Driver's Education" by Ray Stevens: The song has the typical humor of Stevens' other hits, such as "Gitarzan," "The Streak," and "Ahab the Arab." Instead of swinging on a vine, running naked, or riding a camel, the subject of this one is learning to commandeer an automobile.

9. "Driver 8" by REM: From the early days of the band, this track contains the wonderful line, "She is selling faith on the Go Tell Crusade." Michael Stipe's voice is perfect for a chorus about a train.

8. "Driver's Seat" by Sniff n' the Tears: The song's catchy melody compensates for lyrics like "Doin' all right, a little jivin' on a Saturday night." Contrary to popular thought at the time, the Jenny in the song is not the same one whose number 8675309 was immortalized by Tommy Tutone.

7. "Driving with the Brakes On" by Del Amitri: The band had a few hits, but it was a travesty that these guys did not get more recognition for the great pop tunes they put out in the 90s. This slow anthem against upcoming, unwelcome changes is one of the gems from their Twisted album.

6. "Drive" by The Cars: The slow ballad was strengthened by having Benjamin Orr perform the lead vocals rather than Ric Ocasek. Orr's quiet tenor hints at a desperation that would have sounded less sincere had Ocasek sang it.

5. "Drivin' Sister" by Mott the Hoople: while not the best song from the classic Mott album, this rocker shows off the band's ability to rock. It does share a footnote with song #6 on this list, in that the late Benjamin Orr played in Mott the Hoople before joining the Cars.

4. "Woman Driving, Man Sleeping" by The Eels: The standout track on Souljacker is kind of a depressing tune about two people lost in a car going nowhere. The ending metaphor is band leader Mark O. Everett at his poetical best, saying the car is "A little metal box under the stars."

3. "Drive My Car" by The Beatles: The musical consistency in the chorus shows the Fab Four at their sharpest. Listen to the bass piano after the first two lines in the chorus, and then appreciate the guitar riff after the third line. That feature in the chorus is much better than its too transparent sex metaphor.

2. "Trapped at the Drive-Thru" by Weird Al Yankovic: The song is perfect for a long wait at a drive-thru, since it lasts about 15 minutes. It begins with a husband and wife trading nasty barbs and ends with the man distraught over the absence of onions on his much-anticipated burger.

1. "I'll Do the Driving From Now On" by Fountains of Wayne: This track from Out of State Plates presents a man with a very dumb girlfriend. She thinks Johnny Cash is the man in red, and that he sings "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Oh, and she loves cop shows and movies about robots.