Pull up to the bumper, Baby...

By FIONA SHAFER

For a little change, I thought I would go ‘off-piste’ this month and write a piece on a subject that is often discussed – your favourite driving tunes.

The trouble with coming up with bright ideas that people have a lot of opinions on – within a limited framework – is that we tend to break the rules. That is definitely what happens when you asked four seasoned entrepreneurs to name their ‘Top Five Driving Tracks’ – and why…

Fiona Shafer MD of MDHUB, and Dynamic Motoring Editor

Where do I start? Music of all genres from a very, very early age has played, and continues to play, such a massive part in my life. Most of my favourite driving tracks are high energy songs that make my heart literally swell and do great job of keeping me focused on the road ahead, especially on long road trips which I love to take.

1. ‘Sweet Emotion’ by Aerosmith

2. ‘Whole Lotta Love’ by Led Zeppelin

3. ‘Moving on Up’ by Primal Scream

4. ‘Like Sugar’ by Chaka Khan

5. ‘Pull Up to the Bumper’ by Grace Jones

Driving at night, especially on a warm, summer’s evening with the roof down on my old Saab Convertible has been one of life’s very sweet pleasures, especially when listening to ‘Lover Come Back’ by City and Colour, ‘Give Me One Reason’ by Tracey Chapman or finally, the timeless and beautiful ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon

Phil Green Director of MDHUB

The whole concept of driving songs evokes blue sky, sun, an open-top car (’65 Mustang?) and open road. Sadly, the reality of a closed in car on a miserable wet day in a M25 gridlock is more likely. However, the music can make the difference to my mood regardless of what’s happening outside.

But what to play? I guess a classic – ‘Born to Run’ by Bruce Springsteen is always high on the list for pure energy lifting power in its nice build up and driving chorus.

If I need a quicker mood transformation, then ‘American Idiot’ by Green Day wakes me up. ‘A Town Called Malice’ by The Jam is a more lyrical lift but still a big steering wheel tapper. If I need to cool down then ’20 Years’ by The Civil Wars or ‘Killing the Blues’ by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss fits the bill. The de-stress chill out is between William Grant Still with his ‘Afro-American Symphony’ or ‘Beethoven’s Pastorale’

I’ve already gone over five driving songs but as I always have music on in the car it is difficult to limit – so an honourable mention to: ‘I Still Believe’ by Frank Turner; ‘The Jean Genie’ by Bowie (I get a mention in that one – have a listen) and ‘Watching The Detectives’ by Elvis Costello.

Maarten Hoffmann

CEO, Platinum Media Group and Group Motoring Editor for Platinum

Fiona’s not wrong, how on earth to get this to five! I have a confession to make – l am a singer (in the car) and quite what l look like to passing cars, l dread to think. Also, l used to work professionally in music and the best tracks to me are all memory tunes – they take me straight back to a time and place that even photos can’t do.

• ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder

The Valbonne Club in Carnaby Street with dancers on a rostrum in a pool, and this was playing when some clown threw five piranhas in the pool as the track was drowned out by screaming.

• ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ by ZZ Top

During the Live Aid week, l produced Fashion Aid, a huge live show in London with 6,000 guests, all famous designers and live TV. Jean Paul Gautier did a scene to this track and watching supermodels strut down the catwalk, dressed as ZZ Top, beards and all, will remain in my memory – and that of Prince Charles who was in attendance, but perhaps for different reasons...

Nikki Gatenby

Non Exec Director, Guest Speaker, MDHUB Advisory Board Member and bestselling author of ‘Superengaged’ and ‘Better Business on Purpose’

It’s like carpool karaoke in my car... so many to choose from, here’s an eclectic mix of what’s on my playlist at any given moment when jumping behind the wheel:

• ‘Pump It Up’ by Elvis Costello

You cannot help but tap it out on the steering wheel.

• ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers That riff into the classic singalong makes any journey go a little bit faster. After all, destiny is calling me…

• ‘One Kiss’ by Dua Lipa Shoulder raises from the very first beat, you cannot sit still with Dua in your ears.

• ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers – plectrum at the ready.

• ‘Ride It’ by Regard - I defy you not to head-bop and chill; perfect for a long winding road.

Basically, any track with the potential for a singalong, air guitar, air drums or the odd percussion clap has to be a winner (with both hands on the steering wheel at all times, obvs).

• ‘Fool on the Hill’ by Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66 l lost my virginity to this track in the Bluebell dancers dressing room at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club – nuff said! Only now do l appreciate the irony of the name of the song!

• ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ by James Taylor

His voice just gets me every time. l last saw him in Brighton in 2022. Every track is a winner and this got me to Tignes and back in a Lamborghini, playing the one album all the way and singing like a screaming banshee.

• Anything by Barry White and that’s… (not the name of a song) anything. He was the great love whale and, much to the chagrin of two of my four children, l occasionally remind them that they were conceived to ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love’ It is my unalienable right as a father to embarrass my children.

And you cannot forget in any list ‘Killing Me Softly’ by Roberta Flacka seminal track for ever.