Autumn Road Trip Playlist | Guest Post

Last week I covered my road trip essentials (as part of my staycation series) and this week the lovely Aisasami is talking about an Autumn road trip playlist.

Missed a part of my staycation series? Catch up here.

Aisasami is an American living currently in the beautiful city of Nagoya located in Japan. She has been enjoying the island nation for about six and half years.

By day, she is a preschool teacher. But by night, she is a writer on her blog “ai love music”, a music blog that is devoted to rare musical treasures from the past and the present. While she isn’t working or writing, Aisasami likes to study Japanese (which she is studying for the Business Japanese test coming up), read a variety of books, listen to a plenitude of music, watch a movie or drama, write stories, and create new dishes to eat.

You catch up with Aisasami on her blog, Twitter and Instagram.

Autumn Road Trip Playlist

A guest post by aisasami.

This Playlist Will Have You Embrace the Autumn Mood and Enjoy Autumn’s Scenic Beauties.

Fall. What kind of images or things do you think when this magical season is mentioned. Do you think of the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks? Do you recall your childhood memories, or perhaps moments with your kids, when you visited a pumpkin patch and traversed the cornfield maze on a brisk October day? Maybe your taste buds are craving for a bite of homemade pumpkin pie?

Here in Japan, the word “fall” brings a different set of images than those from my home country, the US. One of them is the iconic autumn sceneries surrounding the mountains and rural areas inside this island country. These picturesque views would have anyone want to take a relaxing drive and view the beautiful colours and scenes of autumn.

My mom took my siblings and me on various pleasure drives when I was little. My mom was the type of woman who would love to visit small towns and drive around rural areas
around the United States. She would take us to see fall sceneries, see the Christmas lights in our city (and sometimes in another state), or visit a new place. My favourite place is the border between West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. There, the surrounding mountainside is filled with splendid colours and breath taking scenes during the autumn season.

My mom wouldn’t have an exact playlist for these drives. Whatever was on the radio was her favourite 80s’ rock bands, the Beatles, a small radio station from a rural town, or oldies. Even though it was coherent, my mom would always have some music during our drives.

Inspired by my mom’s road trips and the picturesque views of fall, here are ten songs that will have you embrace that autumn mood when taking a scenic drive.

OFF COURSE – I Love You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgB049xJPug

I always thought of this song as a late Autumn type-of song, especially with that opening. It is beautiful! The song is relaxing and has that autumn feeling.

River Matthews- Undo Ordinary

I recently found this on Youtube, it was recommended. It is just soothing!

Chicago – Niagara Falls

Anything by Chicago, especially their AOR period in the 80s, is excellent for driving music. “Niagara Falls” is that type of rock song that has the bare essentials of the rock genre but it is relaxing and not overbearing.

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams

Like Chicago, Fleetwood Mac’s discography is suitable for driving. Maybe “Dreams” might have you ponder about your dreams and aspirations while viewing that autumn scenery!

Toshiki Kadomatsu – Still In Love With You

Toshiki Kadomatsu is the “King of Driving Music” in Japan. His music is relaxing and has that carefree vibe to it! I picked “Still In Love With You” as it a great mid-tempo ballad.

Mariya Takeuchi – Plastic Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bNITQR4Uso

This song has been a favourite oldie this year among Youtube listeners. Labelled as a “Future Funk”, the beat of “ Plastic Love“ is pretty catchy and easy to listen to.

David Benoit – Kei’s Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdSonmsFKYg

I looooooove jazz! “Kei’s Song” is such a beautiful song, and so relaxing. I had this as my morning alarm for a year.

Enya – Only Time

Enya’s music always mystifies the listeners. When this came out, I wasn’t a big fan of “Only Tim” because it was everywhere: on the airwaves, during school, and people were even singing this around me. But now, I appreciate this piece and find it an excellent ride for driving.

Boy Meets Girl – Waiting for a Star to Fall

This was my favourite song when I was in high school. It’s a magical piece yet it has some soothing and relaxing elements to it.

Sting – Everybody Laughed But You

Anything from 90s’ Sting could be considered driving music. “Everybody Laughed But You “ is a recent favourite from his 1993 album. Just love the guitar and how Sting styles each phrase.

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What would you add to your Autumn road trip playlist?