Songs That Make You Speed: Gen X's Reckless Playlist

Certain rock songs became synonymous with the thrill of the open road, particularly for Generation X drivers who found their playlists prompting them to push the limits. These driving anthems, released between the early 1970s and late 1980s, are celebrated for their ability to make listeners want to accelerate.

Golden Earring's 1973 hit 'Radar Love,' released on the album Moontan, features a narrative of driving through the night, inspired by a telepathic connection with a loved one. Its driving rhythm is often credited with making drivers exceed the speed limit.

Sammy Hagar's 1984 track "I Can't Drive 55" has a literal origin story. Hagar was inspired to write the song after receiving a speeding ticket in New York for driving 62 mph in a 55 mph zone. The song's title became a declaration against the national speed limit.

Van Halen contributed "Panama" in 1984, a song conceived after David Lee Roth desired a track about a fast car. The song features an actual revving Lamborghini engine, adding to its automotive allure. Tom Petty's 1989 release "Runnin' Down a Dream" evokes images of open roads and endless possibilities, with its propulsive guitar riff encouraging listeners to keep driving.