Top 10 Music Videos to Listen to When Travelling Around America

There’s something magical about hitting the open road in America with the perfect soundtrack playing especially after finishing your Summer Camp placement. Music has the unique power to transform an ordinary journey into an unforgettable adventure, capturing the spirit of the landscapes rolling past your window. Whether you’re cruising along coastal highways, winding through mountain passes, or crossing vast desert plains, the right song can elevate your travel experience and create lasting memories. We’ve curated this collection of the top 10 music videos to listen to when travelling around America – each one capturing a different facet of the American experience and providing the perfect backdrop to your next road trip.

1. “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen

No road trip playlist is complete without The Boss. “Born to Run” is the quintessential American escape anthem, with lyrics that speak to that universal desire to break free from small-town constraints and find something bigger on the open road. The song’s driving rhythm and Springsteen’s passionate delivery capture the exhilaration of setting out on a journey with nothing but possibilities ahead.

The music video showcases vintage footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band in their prime, performing with the raw energy that made them legends. As you drive through industrial towns and past roadside diners in America’s heartland, this track provides the perfect soundtrack to channel your inner rebel and embrace the freedom of the highway.

2. “Little Red Corvette” by Prince

Prince’s classic combines car culture with musical genius

Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” brilliantly merges America’s love affair with cars and romance into one unforgettable track. While the song uses the iconic American sports car as a metaphor, it’s impossible not to visualize cruising down a coastal highway when this track plays. The synthesizer-driven melody and Prince’s unmistakable vocals create a dreamy atmosphere perfect for those sunset drives along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The music video features Prince in all his purple glory, with stylish visuals that epitomize the flashy yet sophisticated 80s aesthetic. As you travel through America’s diverse landscapes, this song reminds you of the country’s rich musical heritage and innovative spirit that artists like Prince embodied so perfectly.

3. “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2

U2’s rooftop performance captures the spirit of American freedom

U2’s epic track builds from a whisper to a roar, much like the experience of leaving a crowded city behind and finding yourself on an open desert highway. The song’s gradual build and release mirror the feeling of escape that road trips provide, making it perfect for those long stretches of highway in places like Arizona, Utah, or Nevada.

The iconic music video, filmed on a rooftop in downtown Los Angeles, captures the band performing as crowds gather below – a perfect visual metaphor for breaking free from urban constraints. As Bono sings about a place where “the streets have no name,” you’ll feel inspired to seek out those remote American landscapes where the road stretches endlessly toward the horizon.

4. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

The definitive Southern rock anthem for Deep South road trips

The opening guitar riff of “Sweet Home Alabama” is instantly recognizable and has become synonymous with Southern road trips. This Lynyrd Skynyrd classic celebrates the spirit of the Deep South with its catchy melody and proud lyrics. It’s the perfect soundtrack as you drive through Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and other Southern states, where hospitality and musical heritage run deep.

The music video showcases the band’s energetic live performances and the Southern landscapes that inspired the song. Whether you’re a Southerner yourself or just passing through, cranking up this track as you cross state lines into Alabama is practically a road trip tradition. The song captures that unique sense of regional pride that’s so characteristic of America’s diverse cultural landscape.

5. “Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane

The ultimate metaphor for life’s journey on America’s roads

With its upbeat tempo and inspirational lyrics, Tom Cochrane’s “Life Is a Highway” is the ultimate metaphor for both road trips and life itself. The song’s infectious energy makes those long drives feel shorter and more enjoyable, while its message about embracing life’s journey resonates with travelers of all ages.

The music video features classic American road imagery – convertibles, desert highways, and roadside attractions – that perfectly complement the song’s theme. As you navigate America’s extensive highway system, this track reminds you to enjoy every mile of the journey, not just the destination. It’s especially fitting when driving iconic routes like Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway.

6. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson’s timeless ode to the traveling musician’s life

Willie Nelson’s country classic is a love letter to the nomadic lifestyle of touring musicians, but it resonates with anyone who finds joy in travel. The simple, acoustic-driven melody and Willie’s distinctive vocals create a warm, nostalgic feeling that pairs perfectly with America’s rural landscapes and small towns.

The music video shows Willie and his band doing what they love – playing music and traveling across America. As you drive through the country’s heartland, past farms and through small communities, this song connects you to the simpler pleasures of life on the road. It’s especially fitting when traveling through Texas (Willie’s home state) or other parts of the American West.

7. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty

Petty’s driving guitar riffs perfectly capture highway momentum

Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” features one of the most driving guitar riffs in rock history, making it impossible not to feel a surge of energy when it comes on. The song’s lyrics about chasing dreams and embracing freedom perfectly capture the American spirit of possibility that road trips often inspire.

The music video combines live-action with animation in a unique style that takes viewers on a surreal journey. Mike Campbell’s extended guitar solo toward the end of the song provides the perfect soundtrack for those moments when you hit the gas on an empty stretch of highway. This track is especially fitting when driving through California, where Petty made his mark on American music.

8. “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf

The ultimate anthem of freedom on America’s highways

From the moment you hear “Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway,” Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” sets the tone for adventure. Made famous by the movie “Easy Rider,” this song has become the definitive anthem for the freedom of the open road in America. Its raw energy and rebellious spirit make it perfect for those moments when you want to feel completely liberated.

The music video captures the band’s gritty performance style and the countercultural movement of the late 1960s. As you travel across America’s diverse landscapes, this song connects you to the country’s history of rebellion and reinvention. It’s especially powerful when driving through the American Southwest, where much of “Easy Rider” was filmed.

9. “America” by Simon & Garfunkel

A poetic journey through America’s promise and contradictions

Simon & Garfunkel’s “America” takes a more contemplative approach to the American journey, telling the story of a young couple searching for the elusive American Dream. The song’s poetic lyrics and gentle melody create a thoughtful mood perfect for those long stretches of highway where you find yourself reflecting on life and your place in the world.

The music video features vintage footage of American landscapes and everyday people, capturing the nation’s diversity and beauty. As you travel through small towns and past roadside attractions, this song encourages you to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper meaning of the American experience. It’s especially moving when traveling through the Midwest or along historic routes that connect the country’s past and present.

10. “Take It Easy” by Eagles

The Eagles’ classic that put Winslow, Arizona on the map

The Eagles’ “Take It Easy” embodies the laid-back spirit that makes road trips so rejuvenating. With its memorable opening line about “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona,” the song has literally put places on the map and inspired countless travelers to seek out the locations mentioned in its lyrics.

The music video showcases the band’s impeccable harmonies and the Southwestern landscapes that inspired the song. As you drive through Arizona and other Western states, this track reminds you to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than rushing to your destination. The song’s message about not letting “the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy” is perfect advice for any road trip.

Hit the Road with the Ultimate American Travel Soundtrack

Music and travel have always been intertwined in the American experience. From the blues musicians who rode the rails to the rock stars who crisscrossed the country in tour buses, movement and melody are part of our national DNA. These ten music videos don’t just provide entertainment for your journey – they connect you to the spirit of exploration that has defined America since its beginnings.

Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, these songs will enhance your experience and create a soundtrack for memories that will last long after you return home. The diverse landscapes, cultures, and stories of America deserve a playlist that’s equally rich and varied – and these classics deliver exactly that.

So before you hit the road on your next adventure, make sure these videos are loaded up and ready to go. Roll down the windows, turn up the volume, and let the music guide you through the heart and soul of America.