Looks like I’m a bonafide something since I’m actually getting paid for speaking next Month at Santa Rosa College and presenting Chicks On Bikes: what real women motorcyclists are all about. Its National Women’s Month, you know.
So I’m spiffing up my slideshow and need some music for the intro. I contemplated many songs and dismissed the most obvious right off the bat. I’m going to make a heretic state right now. The fine old song Born To be Wild is a practically embarrassing cliche. That’s why its not on the list.
But first alllow my my motherly rant on ear drums and safety. If you listen while you ride, you’re either cranking it up to hear over wind noise and that causes ear damage. Or you have ear buds that seal out the sound and then you can’t hear around yourself on the road. Best to have all your senses sharp.
So lets get right to it. As a bonafide biker chick, here my highly personal list of the top 10 best motorcycle songs (about motorcycling that is):
10. For most bizarre and comic the award goes to: Funky Moped by Jasper Carrot.
9. And just to show you everything sounds better in French – check out this Bridgette Bardot song. I don’t know what she’s saying about that motorcycle but I like it. I’m not even going to ask if she’s ever ridden a motorbike.
8. Because I am product of 80’s new wave: Motorcycle by Love and Rockets
7. In honor of guitar hero’s who love to ride: Ride by Joe Satriani
6. Fine, I reconsidered Born to be Wild because I did quite enjoy this performance by The Cult.
5. Warning this silly motorcycle ditty may get stuck in your head. I don’t want a pickle I Just Want to Ride My Motorcycle by Arlo Gutherie
4. I admit I just found this song while cruising around the web, but its immediately catchy rockabilly tune set to the Japanese animation will hook you too. I’m a Mutha Fucker on a Motorcycle by Machine Gun Fellatio
3. I’ve sung this song into my helmet on many a road trip. Thanks Neil for a putting a woman on the bike and making another classic. Unknown Legend by Neil Young
2. I do love my Bob Seeger and its not just because I’m from Detroit either. It’s all about freedom baby. This is a true classic: Roll Me Away
#1. Not because I’ve been particularly concerned with an accurate list of ranking (nor even in a serious critique of the genre of motorcycle songs) but the song that won me over to go with my Chicks On Bikes slideshow intro: Two Wheels Move the Soul by true biker chick Sasha Mullins.
Oh wait, make it 11 best motorcycle songs: I forgot about this classic piece of 70’s: Motorcycle Mama by the Sailcats
Now that I’ve had my say, comment and tell us your favorites.
cshook.wordpress.com 
February 21, 2010 at 4:26 am |
Gotta be “Motorbikin” by Chris Spedding
February 21, 2010 at 1:38 pm |
I can’t give a specific list of songs that I enjoy whilst riding since the list tends to change on a daily basis but…
I can give you an idea of what I like to listen to while riding…
http://www.steadyonthehumble.com/?p=390
🙂
Congrats on getting all the much deserved attention with Chicks on bikes! That’s an amazing thing to happen for someone and you deserve it!
February 23, 2010 at 4:12 pm |
Now that’s a whole different side of the banana peel, what to listen to while riding. But that’s a great list.
Thanks!
February 21, 2010 at 9:31 pm |
How about rockin’ the house with Montrose’s Bad Motor Scooter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk52nGxF-jc
February 23, 2010 at 4:08 pm |
Amazing how dang many motorcycle songs there are out there. And I love those tight blue polyester pants. You know that 70’s thing always wins me.
February 23, 2010 at 2:36 pm |
Ha, it’s funny that you wrote this post because I started a discussion on my Facebook page asking people for their favorite songs riding, at a rally or hanging out in a biker bar!
Great minds think alike! 🙂
I personally think you should use “Turbo Lover” by Judas Priest!
February 23, 2010 at 4:07 pm |
Haha, That name alone cracks me up “Turbo Lover”! I don’t think he mean riding a motorycycle when he say’s he can ride all day.
February 23, 2010 at 3:50 pm |
The Timbuk3 version of “Born to Be Wild” is actually ok in an ironic kind of way.
February 23, 2010 at 4:06 pm |
Ohhh, I dig this accoustic version! I think I’d even change it to that.
June 1, 2010 at 2:18 pm |
Crimson Rider for Masterplan
June 2, 2010 at 12:57 pm |
she loves the smell of the bike , the freedom of the riders and the fact her parents dislike her being around them bad boys , french era 60 s , golbal damn hippies
September 28, 2010 at 11:04 pm |
none of the above if you truly are a “biker chick” then you have not been one for long, how bout midnight rider or wild side out of all of your list the only one worth a damn is arlo for comic relief. I think you need to start hanging with REAL bikers and not the yuppies your associated with now.
October 25, 2010 at 9:34 am |
Neat list, but it’s the only one I’ve seen that doesn’t include 1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson. The song is a great story, and the music is wonderful by itself.
December 25, 2010 at 12:34 am |
Hello Christina,
Came upon your article on Christmas Eve and wanted to give you a gift of song for Christmas. When you get a chance, navigate to youtube.com and search Open Road. The song is titled Open Road and was recently voted #2 motorcycle song by Washington’s Huffington Post paper. It was a list of the 10 best Motorcycle Songs ever. It was second to Steppenwolf! I really think you will enjoy it! I am sooo excited that more and more women are taking up the sport of Motorcycling. There is nothing more appealing to the human eye, then a Female on a Motorcycle!
December 26, 2010 at 4:03 pm |
Open Road, good to hear a new rocking road song. I’ll have to update with a top 20 as suggestions roll in.
I agree all women look great on a bike.
December 31, 2010 at 10:36 am |
eye of a hurricane by david wilcox.of course the motorcyclist dies but it’s a woman this time.cool runnin by boz scaggs is also great.
January 6, 2011 at 6:40 pm |
Possibly the most overlooked “biker” song ever….probably because of the title of the song and the fact theat they’re rising Scwinn “motorcycles”. It’s Lapdance from N.E.R.D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiG0tcTraGA&feature=related
January 31, 2011 at 11:46 am |
Hey! Saw this and just thought I’d add my two-cents!
Jesus Rode A Harley – Ugly Kid Joe; Daytona Nights – Hank Williams Jr.; Broken Down (H.D. Blues) – Burnt River Band; This Life (Theme from Sons of Anarchy) – Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers; Forever Free – W.A.S.P.; Free-Wheel Burnin’ Judas Priest; Cross Country – The Godz; Full Throttle – Jackyl… To name a few….
February 2, 2011 at 4:40 pm |
I would like to send you two biker songs to consider, I wrote and recorded them for the local bikers in Southeast TX. They are on Juke Boxes and are played alot. Many of the groups (ABATE, MAVRICKS, etc.. support the songs and can give you references. “Highway 69” and “If You Don’t Own A Harley”.
February 7, 2011 at 2:37 pm |
Where can we hear these songs?
February 7, 2011 at 2:26 pm |
I’m surprised this one wasn’t listed.
(She likes it too) By Alan Jackson
April 12, 2011 at 8:18 am |
One of my favourites is Eddy Grant’s Electric Avenue
what do you think?
April 12, 2011 at 9:08 am |
I’m a bit stumped on what the two bikers are doing in there. Are they there to save Eddy from drowning in the waters edge?
But I can see rocking and riding to Electric Ave.
September 6, 2011 at 3:42 am |
hey and hi cant say i agree with any of your chioces maybe as i am a brit and dont ride a harley but bikes and music have been my life for 40 years or so so i do have an oppinion it may just not be the same as yours but i do agree with this site and am supprised you didnt find them on the net when you researched ill post the link and good luck be allways with you but ride safe just incase
http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/biker_music_road_songs.php
MRKBENZ
PS DONT KNOW IF ILL FIND MY Way back here as am just surfing through
September 6, 2011 at 11:58 am |
Thanks for your list Terry – good stuff! I doubt any 2 bikers would agree on a list. But its fun to see what tunes spin your wheels.
September 12, 2011 at 2:15 am
hey Christina
nice of you to reply dont know if you would be interested but here is a link to a trip vid one of our group has done, his choice of music is totally diff to most i would think but it works i have never heard some of the songs but am glad they are there as they do seem to fit . there are some private jokes moments in there so if you dont laugh as loud as me its ok ha ha ha
To put it into perspective it is a road trip from the very north of scotland to the very south of england hope ypou enjoy
regards terry
http://www.vimeo.com/27441945
February 4, 2012 at 5:14 am |
i don’t ride but if i did my favorites would be golden age of leather by blue oyster cult, highway to hell by ac/dc and livin’ after midnight by judas priest. oh yea there’s one more the lumberjack by jackel
February 12, 2012 at 9:48 pm |
Just compiling a list. Want to start a streaming site for bikers that just play the best few thousand. Here are a few I came up with:
Queen – Fat Bottom Girls
Bob Seger – Turn the Page
Bob Seger – Night Moves (the rain sound is awesome)
Jackson Browne – Load Out/Stay
Todd Rungren – I don’t want to work
David Allen Coe – Take this job and shove it
Jimmy Buffett LIve – Southern Cross
February 13, 2012 at 11:08 am |
One day, I’m going to have to change this to the top 100 fav motorcycle songs!
February 25, 2012 at 4:36 am |
hip hop music rnb music blog new music…
[…]10 Best Motorcycle Songs «[…]…
March 2, 2012 at 6:13 am |
hi just read your list and i have some to add
forever angels – axel rudi pell
motorcycle song – serena ryder
harley davidson – acdc
cool rider – grease 2 soundtrack
motorcycle bitch – the skyhooks
April 17, 2012 at 9:08 pm |
Totally unfreakin’believable that NO ONE has mentioned “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” by Richard Thompson!
This would be #1 all time best mc song ever in my book.
April 27, 2012 at 7:00 am |
here’s a cool list man
road to hell:chris rhea
night owl:little river band
the break up song-greg kihn
Born to be wild-steppen wolf
the pusher-steppen wolf
inna-da-vidda-iron butterfly
le grange-ZZ topp
voodoo child-stevie ray vaughn
cool shot-stevie ray vaughn
roll down the highway-B.T.O
May 27, 2012 at 6:09 pm |
I’m rushing off to sample some of these right now, never heard most of them, thanks. But I think you should definitely consider Richard THOMPSON’s 1952 Vincent Lightening…
July 24, 2012 at 11:31 am |
Just for Kicks by Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts. 😀
July 24, 2012 at 2:16 pm |
I can’t understand a bleeding word in the song but I like it! Great name. Vintage early 80’s punky rude boy biker thing.
October 22, 2012 at 11:32 pm |
Montrose Bad Motor Scooter..!!!
October 23, 2012 at 10:21 am |
Then there’s “Motorcycle Millie” by Garrett Williams, a gearhead rockabilly classic!
January 30, 2013 at 5:19 pm |
Hi all, I just released a biker song, “Cool Rider” – the video tells the story: GIRLS SEES BOY. GIRL WANTS BOY. GIRL GETS BOY…BIKER STYLE!
January 30, 2013 at 5:24 pm |
Here’s another by my friends John & Mary… more about women rideres. The blues! http://youtu.be/WbwWSH-JARw
March 23, 2013 at 4:47 pm |
Check out a recent song titled “Shovelhead” by Lanny McGough on his CD titled “Rebel Soul which was out a year before Kid Rocks CD of the same title. Thanks
April 14, 2013 at 8:41 am |
Ride the Wind by Poison!!!
The lyrics make this an excellent motorcycle song…
June 11, 2013 at 12:46 pm |
I’m partial to Skynyrd and Allman Bros…Always like Roll Me Away – good choice. I feel the freedom in that song.
July 8, 2013 at 11:09 am |
Hi If yer interested Check out a new song Called “Two Wheel Gypsy” By a guy called Stu Kenyon it really gets to the point!
July 13, 2013 at 8:39 am |
Fail. I’m afraid you’ve all missed the best rocker: The Triumph Bonneville Song by The Steve Gibbons Band. Crank it up and enjoy the ride.
July 13, 2013 at 8:42 am |
Can moderator fix the link in previous post above? Try: http://tinyurl.com/oojrkge
July 13, 2013 at 10:31 am
Love Bob Dylan but less impressed with this not particularly lyrical branded imitation.
July 13, 2013 at 5:12 pm |
Respect Christina – thanks for the feedback. Actually Steve Gibbons is that rarity – a genuine British rocker who can pen some kick-ass songs. (By the way: sorry about the error in the first video link – it’s a sexy scene from Hammer’s “Lust for a Vampire” which will appeal to the red-blooded males who follow this thread!)
I’m also a big fan of sixties Brit hit “Terry” by Twinkle. The lady wrote the song herself when a teen. It’s similar in theme to “Leader of the Pack” – also a classic of course. What do you think of this one? Take care.
September 9, 2013 at 10:00 pm |
I always thought that the Doobie Brothers nailed the motorcycle road trip song with “Road Angel” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aziZ-F4wl4c
April 22, 2014 at 7:11 pm |
Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf. #1 fav biking song for sure.
April 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm |
Totally! And the cover puts it over the top:
May 5, 2014 at 8:19 am |
[…] 10 Best Motorcycle Songs | […]
March 30, 2016 at 3:54 am |
https://www.mixcloud.com/steve-freshfield/songs-to-ride-to/
August 10, 2016 at 8:59 pm |
you need to watch the movie from the late 60″s called girl on a motorcyvce with marianne faithful….