The Road’s My Middle Name - Bonnie Raitt
You might also try the versions by John Denver and Peter, Paul & Mary.
Denver’s song, “Goodbye, Again” is also worth a listen.
“Beth” – Kiss
“Bed of Roses” – Bon Jovi
Both of these are about leaving your woman at home while you’re out touring–Bon Jovi’s is specifically about all the temptations on the road.
**Pancho and Lefty ** by Townes Van Zant. Recorded by many, but the Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard version is splendid.
“Endless Grey Ribbon,” Nick Lowe.
Actually, Wilco’s entire “Being There” album is pretty much about dealing with being on the road. Personally, I was going to suggest “Hotel Arizona” but “Far Far Away” is a good one too.
Walking in Memphis (cover by Cher)
Hypnotic.
AC/DC -“Highway to Hell”
Jackson Browne – Practically everything on the “Running on Empty” album. Try “Stay,” in particular
Harry Chapin – “Cat’s in the Cradle”
That last one sometimes surprises people, but actually, the lyrics were written by Harry’s wife, Sandy, who was disturbed at how much time he spent touring and how little time he spent at home with his own family.
“Life’s Been Good” by Joe Walsh
“Jet Airliner” by the Steve Miller Band
“Ladies of the Road” by King Crimson (a tribute to groupies enocuntered on tour)
“Moving On” by Bad Company
Numerous songs fromn Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” One of the good but less-played tracks in “Nobody Home,” whic his all about being stuck in a hotel room with nothing to do but watch bad TV and make futile calls back home.
200 More Miles - Cowboy Junkies (already mentioned, I see)
Misty Morning, Albert Bridge - The Pogues (about missing a girlfriend while on tour)
Oh and:
Around the Bend - Pearl Jam (Seems to be a lullaby to an infant to whom the singer is apologizing for the moments that he’s missed – presumably while on the road. Kind of a tenuous road song.)
What’s Your Name - Lynyrd Skynyrd
When I Need You - Leo Sayer (…you know I won’t be traveling forever…)
White Line Fever - Merle Haggard (covered by many)
My Old Friend the Blues - Steve Earle (“…another lonely night, a nameless town…”)
arguably better cover version:
My Old Friend the Blues - The Proclaimers
“Hang on Saint Christopher”- Tom Waits
“Would You Like a Snack” fits the bill.
Went on the road
For a month, touring
What a drag, you gotta go
Even if you’d rather be at home
Flaked out in Hollywood…
Barrel Racing Angel by Ian Tyson
Rodeo-themed
Again, thanks to all. Excellent suggestions, and I still have time to round them up. Have already added Cowboy Junkies, Ferron and the nice combo of two singer-songwriters Bill Morrissey and Greg Brown. Some are available on iTunes, others I will have to track down.
I’d love to use something from 200 Motels, but the next line in “Would You Like a Snack?” is
That won’t fly in the middle of a Sunday (the show is an 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. gig), though I could beep out the offending word.
I’m leaning more to “I’m Stealing The Towels” right now.
And I’m tempted in a perverse way by the Partridge Family song because it’s so of-its-time. But they didn’t write it, so I’ll pass.
Love the idea of a S&G/Metallica segue in the abstract, but I’d rather blend more smoothly in real life. Usually I start the show with the slower stuff then gradually pick up the tempo as we roll along. At the moment, it looks like I’ll open with the Cowboy Junkies and close with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
I’ve got room for about 25 songs, allowing for a couple of longer ones. The show actually starts after the 11 a.m. ABC news, but the station kindly drops the noon newscast, so we have it straight through until the station ID just before 1 p.m. Sponsors get a couple of live spots each during the show and there are five sponsors, so there’s plenty of time for the music.
Oh, and koeeoaddi thanks for some great folkie ideas. I’m just worried though that you’ll subliminally influence me to use “Transfusion,” which I happen to already have available.
That one should go with a car crash theme, along with “Dead Man’s Curve,” “Last Kiss,” and “Leader of the Pack.”
Less a singer-songwriter show but a fun bunch of oldies
Lodi - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Georgia Rhythm - Atlanta Rhythm Section
Come Monday - Jimmy Buffett
Truckin’ - Grateful Dead
Tonight’s the Night - Neil Young
I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones