The open road, the car, the radio (or CD player) blaring tunes as you drive down the highway with the sun shining down on you on a warm summer day… Music is a must for any road trip and can set the mood for great road trips. Music becomes an almost equal partner on the road to fun and relaxation. Route 66 spurred a cultural phenomenon that permeated this country and that same spirit permeated the music genre as well.
The song, that bears the name and story of the mother road, is simple and to the point. I am sure that no matter your age (and some may not even realize it) the catchy song about Route 66 is familiar to all of us in some form or fashion. The song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” was written in 1946 by Bobby Troup and first recorded by Nat King Cole. Others over the years also recorded their own versions such as Chuck Berry in 1961, the Rolling Stones in 1964, Depeche Mode in 1987, and Glen Frey in 2012 plus many others. Not surprisingly, the song was conceived as Troup was driving west from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles. In an interview once, Troupe stated that the title and chorus were easy but the rest of the song was harder to come by.
“(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66” lyrics…
If you ever plan to motor west,travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six. It winds from Chicago to LA,
more than two thousand miles all the way.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.Now you go through Saint Looey
Joplin, Missouri,
and Oklahoma City is mighty pretty.
You see Amarillo,
Gallup, New Mexico,
Flagstaff, Arizona.
Don’t forget Winona,
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernandino.Won’t you get hip to this timely tip:
when you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.Won’t you get hip to this timely tip:
when you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
In the tradition of good driving music, here is my current list of driving favorites…”Colder Weather” – the Zac Brown Band
“You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney
“Freeway of Love” – Aretha Franklin
“On the Road Again” – Willie Nelson
“Take it Easy” – The Eagles
“Raspberry Beret” – Prince
“Play that Funky Music” – Wild Cherry
“The Joker” – Steve Miller Band
A Southern Girl's View with Sandy Adams 
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