Top ten taxi driving songs: Do you agree with the cabbies?

Are these the ten greatest ever driving songs? Well of course they aren't, music is a very personal experience and one man's meat is another man's poison.

We asked taxi drivers what their favourite songs are to listen to whilst driving, and upon reading the responses we had quite an eclectic mix to choose from.

So here is a selection of ten songs that were chosen by taxi drivers across the UK. 

I'm Alive - Johnny Thunder

Johnny Thunder, whose real name is Gil Hamilton, was originally in a touring version of the The Drifters.

Thunders recorded I'm Alive in 1969 as his first solo effort, which received praise from Bob Dylan.  

It has subsequently been used in a number of TV adverts over the last couple of years.

Radar Love - Golden Earring

Radar Love was recorded by Dutch rockers Golden Earring.

Released in 1973, Radar Love hit number 7 in the UK charts and has been extensively coverered by other groups including R.E.M and Def Leppard.

According to bass player Rinus Gerritsen the intro to the track was inspired by Carlos Santana.  

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

The song, which kept Greg Lake's - I Believe in Father Christmas from the number 1 spot in 1975, is the only song to be number 1 at Christmas on two occasions.

The song is also the third best selling single in the UK of all time, despite its mixed critical review when first released.

In December 2018 it became the most streamed song in history.

Parts of the song were developed in the late 60s, with the song originally called "The Cowboy Song”.

Bohemian Rhapsody is considered to be the archetypal driving song by many music critics, so it's no surprise it's a cabbies’ favourite.

That's Life - Frank Sinatra

That's Life was originally recorded by Marion Montgomery, an American jazz singer living in the UK, however the most famous version of the song was recorded by ol' blue eyes, Frank Sinatra in 1966.

Appearing on an album of the same name, That's Life reached number 4 in the US, but surprisingly only got to 44 in the UK charts.

Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker

Recorded in 1961 by blues guitarist John Lee Hooker, Boom Boom was described by one music critic as "the greatest pop song John Lee Hooker ever wrote”.

Although a chart success in the US, with John Lee Hooker's unmistakable growling voice and offbeat fretwork, it didn't chart in the UK until thirty years after its release, reaching number 16 in the charts.

Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf

The single Bat Out Of Hell came off of the album of the same name. The album sold in excess of 43 million copies worldwide.

The single was originally released in 1979 and re-released in 1993. Curiously its original release was two years after the album was released. 

The song reached number fifteen in the UK charts and is regarded as a mainstay in any driving collection.

Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

At nearly 13 minutes long, Freebird is a driver’s dream. Featured in many driving compilations, the triple guitar attack on the track during the second half of the song is astonishing.

Reaching number 21 in the UK, it's hardly surprising that this song features on the list of cabbies’ favourites.

That's Amore - Dean Martin

A song which has come a little out of "left-field", That's Amore is a fun song written by Harry Warren and Jack Brooks, and recorded by Dean Martin in 1953.

The song appeared in the film The Caddy with Martin and Jerry Lewis and was nominated at the Oscars for best original song.

Pennysylvania 6-5000 - The Glenn Miller Band

If the previous song came out of "left-field" then this one came from another planet, but cabbies love it so it's included.

Pennysylvania 6-5000 is a swing jazz number recorded by Glenn Miller and his band in 1940.

The song was re-recorded by Brian Setzer, formerly of the Stray Cats.

Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones

A Rolling Stones classic which was recorded in 1968, Jumpin Jack Flash reached number 1 in the UK in that same year.

A Stones mainstay when performing live, the song has been covered many times by artists including Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner.

Image Source: LEVC