10 Trucking Songs to Keep You Truckin’

Truckers know that driving an eighteen wheeler is not all sunshine and rainbows. It can be stressful and tiresome. With only a handful of options to relax while on the road — we are truly thankful for trucking songs.  Those auditory gems that give us the spirit to push on and add a little fun back into a long day.

For those of you who have never heard a trucking song before (really?!) they generally focus on a driver’s life, exploring a range of themes. Whether singing about falling in love, the love you carry for your truck, exploring every corner of this great country or even meeting a ghostly figure on the road – these songs truly run the gamut. The best of the batch are unique, tell a good story, and more than anything else are a ton of fun!

Put it this way, if you’re not listening to trucking songs, you are missing out on some really (really) good music — so do yourself a favor and give it a try. If you want to get started, or explore some old favorites, we have put together a list of what we consider to be the greatest trucking songs OF ALL TIME.

So sit back, relax, and prepare to drive down the highway to (some of) our favorite tunes.

 

1.Roll on 18 wheeler – Alabama

First on the list is this song that was released back in January of ‘84—by none other than Alabama. The song is so lively and fun to listen to, it really gets you into that truck driving spirit. Written by Dave Loggins, he really tapped into what it is like to be a dad who needs to drive an 18 wheeler to provide for his family – exploring that all too familiar moment when a truck driver must leave his family for work.

2.Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses – Kathy Mattea

On the album Untasted Honey by Kathy Mattea, released in 1987, is where we found our second choice. This wonderful trucking song ’18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses’ was written by Gene and Paul Nelson and is about Charlie who has spent 30 years truck driving and now is going through his last run to return to his wife whom he really loves. Oh boy! Does Kathy Mattea deliver with this track — her smooth voice paired with that great country tune makes the song worth listening to on endless repeat.

 

3.Big Wheels in the Moonlight – Dan Seals

This #1 Hot Country hit was the second single released from Dan Seals 1988 album Rage On. On the track, songwriters Bob McDill and Dan Seals tell the story of a boy who comes from a small town and loves watching trucks pass by. The boy dreams of being a truck driver in future. Although his childhood dream is never realized – he still keeps the memories and dreams of the trucks alive in his head.

4.Truckin’ – Grateful Dead

Truckin’, another golden oldie, comes off the album American Beauty released by the Dead in 1970. This track all about truckin’. About driving your truck in lots of places like, Chicago, New York, and Detroit. We appreciate how really brings you into life on the road, what truck drivers face and how they deal with it all. Just a good old song from the ‘70s – a time when all people wanted to do was travel the, have new adventures and seek the best of what life could bring.

5.Asphalt Cowboy – Jason Aldean

This song is fantastic — right from the start of the song to the last note fades. It puts you in a relaxing mood and is the kind of song that reminds you everything will be alright. The song is about a guy who has to leave his wife to go to work. Every time he is away he misses his girl and resolves to ride through the storm just to get back into her arms again.

6.Driving my Life Away – Eddie Rabbitt

This Eddie Rabbitt’s single off the album Horizon was released in June 1980 and believe it or not, made it to #1 on the Hot Country Singles Chart. It was written by David Malloy, Eddie Rabbit and Even Stevens and focuses on the life of truckers and the long time they have to spend away from their wives and children, a common theme on this list.

7.500 Miles – Bobby Bare

Also known by its full title: 500 Miles Away From Home is a great piece of classic country music. Released in 1963 by Bobby Bare, this song made the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 – wow!. It explores that familiar idea of how hard it is for those of us who have to leave their families for work, especially the truckers. It is one of those songs you could sing with your buddy as you travel the world and always have hope for the best despite the distance from home

8.East, Bound and Down – Jerry Reed

From the album Smokey and the Bandit, comes this 1970s hit. The song made it to #2 on the U.S Billboard Hot Country music chart – and what a song it is. As soon as it starts playing you can’t help but nod your head or even dance along (when you’re not driving.) It is a blast to listen to. We suggest putting this one in the queue if you ever feel bored, tired or need something to get you in a good mood.

9.I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

No doubt you have heard our #9 pick — but you may not know that it was originally written by Geoff Mack in 1959 and made a hit by Lucky Starr. While the song has been sung and recorded by many different artists — Johnny Cash recorded what is arguably the best version on his album, Unchained.

10.Brothers of the Highway – Tony Justice and Aaron Tippin

We couldn’t have a “best trucking song” list without including Tony Justice, Aaron Tippin and this recent classic. Ever since there have been trucks there’s been trucking music. We know it’s just as important to continue to the tradition of trucking songs as it is it keep trucking alive — so it’s only fair we include a modern trucking song from a modern trucking music legend. For those who think modern trucking music could never match the classic tunes, Brothers of the Highway will prove you wrong. This is an amazing song and deserves its place on this playlist.

 

We hope that you found this article was informative and enjoyable to listen to.

Let us know what we might have missed and we will add it to our next play list of truck driving tunes to listed to on the road.

This article was written in conjunction with CJ Rooney at www.hipcraft.co