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Friday Coffee Break: Music For a Car Chase

Posted at 8:47 AM on September 24, 2010 by Steve Seel (48 Comments)
Filed under: 9:30 Coffee Break

This being the anniversary of James Brown's infamous car chase across state lines in 1988 (which was also our music history highlight earlier this morning), listener Andy S. recommended that we do songs for a high-speed chase this morning for the 9:30 Coffee Break. What exactly does that mean? You get to decide. Songs that would go with a car chase scene (as music in a movie or TV show, perhaps), or something you'd listen to as you yourself were speeding away like Steve McQueen in your Mustang in Bullit.

Songs played:
Beastie Boys "Sabotage"
Waylen Jennings "Dukes of Hazzard Theme"
The Go! Team "Junior Kickstart"
Judas Priest "Breaking the Law"
Jerry Reed "East Bound and Down"

Comments (48)

East Bound and Down - Jerry Reed

Can't Turn You Lose - From Blues Brothers soundtrack.

And lots of suggestions on the previous thread.

Posted by DMM | September 24, 2010 9:01 AM

Golden Earring - Radar Love?
KISS - Detroit Rock City?
Sheryl Crow - Steve McQueen?
They Might Be Giants - AKA Driver!

Posted by Fermelmehue | September 24, 2010 9:02 AM

I would go with my man Steppenwolf in a high speed car chase.

"Born to be Wild" if I was being chased on motorcycle.

"Magic Carpet Ride" if I was in a stylish yet vaguely slapstick or kooky car chase.

Posted by Cat | September 24, 2010 9:04 AM

You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Million Bucks - Queens of The Stoneage

Speed Racer - Devo

Posted by wellst | September 24, 2010 9:04 AM

"Dusted" by Belly

Posted by Kevin | September 24, 2010 9:05 AM

"Red Barchetta" by Rush. It's about a car, and there is a chase. Plus it's just a great song!

Posted by Wayne | September 24, 2010 9:05 AM

Personally- the faster the music is, the faster the driving. As far as fast paced songs go- I have to go with:

Wait So Long - Trampled By Turtles

The song itself sounds like the instruments are chasing each other.

[And couldn't be happier Sesame Street kicked Katy Perry to the curb.]

Posted by DMM | September 24, 2010 9:06 AM

Hollywood Nights by Bob Seger

Posted by Jenny | September 24, 2010 9:06 AM

ministry - jesus built my hotrod.

Posted by Chipmunk | September 24, 2010 9:06 AM

ministry - jesus built my hotrod.

Posted by Chipmunk | September 24, 2010 9:07 AM

East Bound and Down - Jerry Reed (aka The theme to Smoky and The Bandit)

Posted by walt | September 24, 2010 9:07 AM

Radar Love - Golden Earring

Posted by Jeanne | September 24, 2010 9:07 AM

Van Halen - Panama

Posted by Brooks | September 24, 2010 9:08 AM

Black Betty - Ram Jam

Posted by Nick | September 24, 2010 9:08 AM

Jets to Brazil - Morning New Disease
Primus - Jerry Was a Racecar Driver
Any version of Orange Blossom Special
Anything by Clutch

Posted by ericd513 | September 24, 2010 9:08 AM

"Crawling From The Wreckage" - Dave Edmunds

Posted by IndyR | September 24, 2010 9:09 AM

Can't Turn You Loose - Otis Redding or Blues Brothers (How can you not?!)

Newborn - Muse

Posted by Shane | September 24, 2010 9:09 AM

hot rod lincoln
all

Posted by rachel | September 24, 2010 9:10 AM

There's two great songs actually about THAT car chase.

Big Audio Dynamite's sone "James Brown" from Megatop Phoenix is great

On my trail, car chase boogaloo
FBI, CIA, and the Russians too
Kicking down the door, couldn't take no more
When I'm about there is no doubt that papas' word is law

Pop Will Eat Itself had an awesome but similar song called "Not Now James" from This is the Day This is the Hour This is This..., assuming a radio edit exists since there's some colorful language.

James pushed hus luck too far this time,
his pickup truck's flat out and flyin'!
Listen here c********s, mother ********
pay respect to my building
It's JB property and it could be
the one you get killed in

Posted by Andrew Pierce | September 24, 2010 9:10 AM

Not sure James Brown would choose these, but I've always wanted to see a car chase in a movie with these playing:

Bulletproof Cupid - Girls Vs Boys
Precision Auto - Superchunk
Jesus Christ Pose - Soundgarden (ideally this chase would involve several 18-wheelers)

Posted by Greg | September 24, 2010 9:10 AM

Craig David - Fast Cars

Posted by Cindy | September 24, 2010 9:10 AM

Baby Driver by Simon & Garfunkel

I picture this being in a car chase scene in the desert, with some criminal hootin' and hollerin' as he speeds up.

Posted by Breanne | September 24, 2010 9:11 AM

Kids Don't Follow - The Replacements
Accident - Rachel Yamagata
Extreme Ways - Moby
Thirteen - Danzig

Posted by ken | September 24, 2010 9:12 AM

Sponge - Plowed

Cannonball (Theme from Cannonball Run) - Ray Stevens

Posted by Oj | September 24, 2010 9:12 AM

any thing from chocolet and cheese, or maybe pink floid run? Oh Ya you guys rock the world!!!!!!!!!

Posted by charlies emerson | September 24, 2010 9:12 AM

Paul Revere - Beastie Boys

Posted by DMM | September 24, 2010 9:13 AM

Jerry Reed-East Bound and Down- Smokey and the Bandit!

Audioslave- Show me how to Live
The video was a homage to "Vanishing Point" which is the greatest car chase movie of all time.

White Zombie and Iggy Pop- Black Sunshine

Posted by matt | September 24, 2010 9:13 AM

James Bond theme

Posted by Jeff | September 24, 2010 9:16 AM

Mark Knopfler "Freeway Flyer" from the "Local Hero" movie soundtrack

Posted by Jeff Skarphol | September 24, 2010 9:16 AM

"Little Red Corvette," Prince.

AWESOME!

Posted by Cheryl | September 24, 2010 9:16 AM

Block Rockin' Beats - The Chemical Brothers!

Posted by Holly Hazard | September 24, 2010 9:17 AM

Warm Leatherette - The Normal

Posted by Tracy | September 24, 2010 9:18 AM

C.W. McCall - "CJ5 with 4 wheel drive"

Posted by Jeff | September 24, 2010 9:19 AM

Steve & Jill- there is an inaccurate date on your Music History post. Nevermind was '91.

And I would play Nirvana while being chased by police, but that's just me.

Posted by DMM | September 24, 2010 9:19 AM

Only one suggestion today, because it is singular in its AWESOMENESS...
"Super-Charger Heaven" - White Zombie (Astro-Creep: 2000)

Posted by (JL) | September 24, 2010 9:19 AM

The Benny Hill Theme Song

Posted by David | September 24, 2010 9:19 AM

The 'theme' for that Spy Hunter arcade game from the 80's

What was that song???

Posted by Bob | September 24, 2010 9:20 AM

I Ran, A Flock of Seagulls.

Posted by Brooke | September 24, 2010 9:20 AM

Runnin' by The Pharcyde

Posted by James M | September 24, 2010 9:20 AM

Sabotage - Beastie Boys

You Can't Catch Me - Chuck Berry

409 or Shut Down - The Beach Boys (a race, not a chase, but whatever...)

Posted by Gripweed | September 24, 2010 9:22 AM

Speeding trucks being chased by state troopers...it can only be Convoy by C. W. McCall

Posted by Jeff | September 24, 2010 9:22 AM

And in the spirit of East Bound and Down there's always "Just A Good Ol Boy" - Waylon Jennings or "Cannonball Run" - Ray Stevens.

Posted by Gripweed | September 24, 2010 9:25 AM

Foggy Mountain Breakdown - Flatt & Scruggs

(This is my third attempt to get this posted - somethings wrong with my connection)

Posted by Becky | September 24, 2010 9:26 AM

I may be too late but what else could you play but "State Trooper" by Bruce Springsteen!!

Posted by Nancy Fuenffinger | September 24, 2010 9:33 AM

I know it's totally late and you probably don't have it in your collection but i just thought of this!! Kops- by Fear of Pop (Ben Folds project from the 90's I believe) Perfect car chase song!!!

Posted by Aaron Gilles | September 24, 2010 9:44 AM

Red Barchetta by Rush. Probably waaaay too long though.

Posted by Jennifer | September 24, 2010 9:45 AM

Also probably too late, but always makes me want to drive a little bit faster.

Jerry was a race car driver: Primus
What ever happened to my Rock'n'Roll: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Posted by Kris | September 24, 2010 9:47 AM

Thanks, Jill & Steve!

Posted by DMM | September 24, 2010 9:53 AM

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