The Spotify Playlist That Turned a Family Road Trip Into a Multi Generation Sing Along

I have to say that my 20 year old niece has an impressive array of music on her Spotify account. Then again, many of you would be fair in purporting that she has great taste in music all round. Why? Firstly, she is into vinyl records, and secondly, this playlist impressed the majority of my Generation X family in the car, as well as yours truly (a Millennial, and such an unexpectedly cool playlist being worthy enough to share this intimate ten track playlist globally). And of course this playlist impresses her as part of Generation Z.

There is that saying in the music world that old songs come back, and they do make a comeback. Who would have thought that Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers would be a number one hit back in 1991 when re-released. I digress. Back to how impressed an elderly millennial, and a few family members of Generation X were (and still are) with this playlist inspired by someone who is going to turn 21 at the end of this year. A mix of nostalgic tunes from the 60's to today were covered, including The Beatles and Oasis (the 90's version of the same band that reminded us that we can get by with a little help from our friends.)

True to form, my older brother and his wife, as well as my older sister were equally as grateful for a little musical help from a younger family member who has exceptional taste in music. If food brings people together, then surely music does in exceptionally equal measures. The thank you's did not stop.

This family road trip of just over three hours eventuated on the back of an hour long flight interstate to get back into our home state. In other words, it was more practical and sane to fly for one hour, and then drive for an additional three hours, rather than heading out on an eight hour drive. Our flight was delayed due to an unexpected cancellation of our scheduled flight, and the WiFi reception on the flight before picking up an eight seater Kia people mover that wanted to drive itself on the onset did not work; hence something had to lift the spirits of five people (yours truly included) on this life changing road trip from Melbourne to Deniliquin.

None other than one of six Spotify playlists curated by my talented niece, with over 1,000 songs (give or take a few, thanks to my low iron brain fog at the time). Her Spotify playlist is so good that a few of her friends who are studying asked if they could borrow it to get through exam preparations.

Not in any particular order - just in order of memory I present to you ten songs that prompted the driver (my older brother, and boy he was swearing a fair bit as a by-product of getting used to this sophisticated rental car) to crank up the volume, where all five of us decided to give karaoke bars a good run for their money on a late winters night between the hours of 8:30pm - 11:30pm (although it felt like 1am midway through the trip). And again a few days later (in daylight hours this time), arriving back at Melbourne airport by 4pm.

For outgoing and reserved people alike.

Thank me later.

Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve

Released in 1997, this song is a relatable classic to the ups and downs of life. Then again, this road trip happened due to all of us attending a family funeral, followed by Dad's Birthday the following day. Definitely "bittersweet." The whole trip for me was bittersweet, as I had to postpone a few necessary medical commitments (thankfully they have now passed, and my vitality is returning again); and finding a way for my blood sugar to crash only to get it back on track through natural remedies, as well as being told to slow down a couple of times. The final night of this trip allowed the family (both Deniliquin locals, as well as us Sydney folk) to enjoy an outdoor camp fire, only to enjoy smelly clothing later. That's life.

Walk Of Life - Dire Straits

How appropriate. After all the sole purpose of this trip was to attend a funeral, where a particular relative lost their fight to cancer after what was four long and painful years for her. She managed to get a new house built during this time. And ultimately to catch up with relatives for a couple more days; especially those that you have not seen in eons. This song embodies the metaphor of life's hardships. Enough said.

Roll With It - Oasis

All about rolling with the punches and going with the flow. That this trip was all about, and same with the road trip where my brother had to quickly navigate a new car, and everyone was a bit tired.

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

Nostalgia at its finest. The meaning behind the lyrics seems to encapsulate the spirit of vulnerability. Life is short, and funerals have a subtle or an intense way of reminding us of this.

F*ck You - Lilly Allen

Sorry for the profanity coming up, and let's keep politics out of this song, thank you very much. This song made the list, as this turned out to be a road trip favourite for the night time component of this family road trip. And did I say that my older brother loves to say the F word a lot? The family found it hilarious that they found a song that was a tribute to my older brother the driver; especially as he was swearing a lot at the start due to getting used to the controls of the rental vehicle. Just for some light hearted humour. Where is the fun in life if-it-is-taken-too-seriously-all-the-time. If you want to take a rain check on this one, I do not blame you, however as voted by my interesting family.

Electric Blue - Icehouse

This is a love song, however it became a family road trip classic on this trip where the volume was almost full blast, and every mouth was open to sing along. Singing along to nostalgia.

Champagne Supernova - Oasis

Oasis is popular on my nieces Spotify. This one hit the right note at the right time, even though Liam Gallagher himself confesses to the meaning of this song as being meaningless. As Seinfeld is a show about nothing, this song is a song about nothing, but still a 90's classic nonetheless. Then again, every other family member in the car loves to drink. Some more nostalgia possibly...not sure.

Closing Time - Semisonic

The lyrics of this song is all about the death and rebirth process. Funerals are all about completions and endings, and this trip was the birth of an expanded social circle once more, in reuniting with relatives, and in meeting new ones, including Dad's cousins (the funeral was for one of his sisters). At the place where most of the family were staying at, is a place that the particular family member is wanting to move away from. New beginnings was the aim here as well. Then again, Vocal Media has undergone major change in the last couple of days, and so has my body, as well as my new business. This song somehow strengthened the bond with everyone on board of this particular road trip. The timing was one song off from making it into Deniliquin at 11:30pm. Road trips with music do rule. They are customised, and they can be personal and transformative in their own quirky way.

Drive - Incubus

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, with open arms and open eyes yeah." Appropriate and fitting words for a funeral, followed by a Birthday in the family and other adventures on what turned out to be an incredible long weekend away. This song was played on the first night road trip from Melbourne.

Released in 1999, this is a gem. All about overcoming fear, and becoming a driver in your own life. Private changes and transformations happened on this trip for yours truly; something that I am not going to share publicly. This road trip keeper (on road trips with family or not) was therapeutic and healing to say the least. Another favourite to play on YouTube while commuting in general.

Now for the final song to share with you wonderful readers to help your family trip along, as tried, tested and approved by my family - remembering that these songs feature in a playlist borrowed from a 20 year olds playlist, as edited and approved by yours truly. Drumroll...

Hey Jude - The Beatles

Super appropriate, and this classic would undoubtedly be a universal classic right now. I believe Paul McCartney was going through a breakup at the time, hence this song became one of hope and healing. Something the world needs right now. Take care of your own garden, because if you do carry the world on your shoulders, you will be incredibly exhausted.

The Na Na Na's definitely kept the mood at an all time high in the car.

What songs would you add to this list, and why?