Ten "Road" Songs to Honor of the 40th Anniversary of Kerouac's Death

The legendary author Jack Kerouac passed away exactly forty years ago, on October 21, 1969. Although not highly successful with his early writings, Keroac's book On the Road became very popular. It influenced such writers as Ken Kesey and Hunter S. Thompson, and it remains one of the most influential books of the 20^th century.

To honor the anniversary of the death of the most famous writer of the Beat Generation, I compiled a list of the best songs to take on the "Road."

10. "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors: Jim Morrison groaned one of the most famous two-line openers with "Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel."

9. "Every Day Is a Winding Road" by Sheryl Crow: It's a somewhat trite metaphor, but Crow's delivery here is perhaps her best ever.

8. "Nowhere Road" by Fastball: The band's most successful pitch was "The Way," but this number from the same album, All the Pain Money Can Buy, is one of its lesser-known treats.

7. "Why Don't We Do It in the Road?" by The Beatles: One of the many classics from the two-record set known as the White Album, Paul McCartney's song rivals only "We Will Rock You" for best tune with which to play air drums.

6. "Blowin' Down This Old Dusty Road" by Woody Guthrie: This catchy folk number is one of the many Dust Bowl ballads penned by Bob Dylan's idol and Arlo's father.

5. "Let's Roll Another Number for the Road" by Neil Young: This country-tinged track from the mostly depressing Tonight's The Night album offers a rare light side of Young.

4. "Running Down the Road" by Arlo Guthrie: The title track from the best album of Woody's son has a serious tone that surprises those only familiar with Alice's Restaurant or some of Arlo's novelty songs.

3. "King of the Road" by Roger Miller: This tune about poverty, desolation, and friendlessness is somehow a happy tune with classic lines such as "I'm a man of means by no means."

2. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver: The imagery, when sung by Denver's sincere tenor, nearly takes you through the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia, which is "almost heaven."

1. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John: Lyricist Bernie Taupin penned a memorable break up song with this great title track, rife with clever insults such as "Mongrels who ain't got a penny, looking for tidbits like you on the ground."