# What do you generally listen to when you are in the car **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886 "2019-01-16T18:58:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/61 "2019-01-17T21:54:13Z")
I usually check first to see if there’s something I’d like on Classic Radio (i.e. “Dragnet”, “I Was A Communist For The F.B.I.” or other crime/suspense program). If not, it’s either play-by-play (generally baseball or hockey) or music. ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/62 "2019-01-18T00:28:24Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > 64GB USB drive with my favorite music on it, set to endless shuffle. There are about a thousand albums on there, give or take, so it takes a while to get a repeat of a song. what s/he said. Although right now I’m subbing my phone via BT, the thumb drive is busy with something else ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/63 "2019-01-18T08:42:13Z")
If someone else is in the car, I listen to them. If alone, I listen to the car. On very long trips, over 8 hours, I listen to local stations or talk radio. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/64 "2019-01-18T12:37:30Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > So I took a little peak at this thread I started and was gladdened to see all of the votes for Radio. Maybe I’m not as old fashioned as I thought I was, and a lot people still rely on the old built in AM/FM. 🙂 > > Then I read the comments to discover that a substantial portion of these were Sirius XM, and realized that I’m a old fashioned Fuddy Duddy after all, ☹ Even those listening to “old built in AM/FM” are more than likely receiving HD Radio on later model cars. It’s just kind of automatic/transparent to users, and they may not even know it. ---
**Author:** ![NJ\_Kef\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b487fb/32.png) [@NJ\_Kef\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NJ_Kef_1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/65 "2019-01-18T12:59:08Z")
Silence or minimal conversation. I’m colorblind. Traffic demands my full attention. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/66 "2019-01-18T16:14:08Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > 64GB USB drive with my favorite music on it, set to endless shuffle. There are about a thousand albums on there, give or take, so it takes a while to get a repeat of a song. I have that too, but even with ~10,000 songs it’s surprising how many repeats there are sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/67 "2019-01-18T16:24:59Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Even those listening to “old built in AM/FM” are more than likely receiving HD Radio on later model cars. It’s just kind of automatic/transparent to users, and they may not even know it. I would assume that if artist/title info shows up in the display, that station is HD. Am I right about that? ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/68 "2019-01-18T16:34:07Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I have that too, but even with ~10,000 songs it’s surprising how many repeats there are sometimes. When it comes to music I’m somewhat similar, though my collection isn’t quite as large. I’ve got around 5,500 mp3’s on my phone. The player app I use has dynamic, rule-based playlists, and I normally include a rule to only pick songs that haven’t been played in X number of days. For example, my go-to playlist is songs I’ve rated 3 stars (out of 5) or better and haven’t been played in 90 days. That keeps songs from being repeated too often. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/69 "2019-01-18T18:03:21Z")
If it’s just me, it’s usually on Sirius/XM Blues, Reggae, or Jazz, or Headline News. Sometimes I’ll opt for just silence. If it’s me and Mrs. Homie, whatever she wants, unless I want a knock-down drag-out. Usually that’s Sirius/XM 80’s or 90’s, or one of the comedy channels. NEVER silence. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/70 "2019-01-18T19:05:21Z")
Two main non-commercial radio stations (Sun and KUTX) on a regular radio (not Sirius). If I’m out of range, I stream them using my phone, next radio, and bluetooth. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/71 "2019-01-18T22:26:53Z")
For many years on my commute I used to listen to podcasts, but more recently I’ve been listening almost entirely to music on my MP3 stick. I realized that I was getting bored, annoyed, or stressed from the podcasts. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/72 "2019-01-18T22:41:50Z")
NPR and Sirius. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/73 "2019-01-18T22:42:04Z")
NPR on either the local station or SiriusXM; or we listen to mp3’s on my phone. Sometimes we’ll listen to sports. Pacers, Colts, or Nationals. Not interested in anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/74 "2019-01-19T00:22:52Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I realized that I was getting bored, annoyed, or stressed from the podcasts. Well whatever you do then, do NOT check out _Mueller She Wrote_. Content is too well delivered, the revelations make me want to crawl out of my skin. Because I do that, you know. I’m a reptile. Person. _ **HELLO MY BABY, HELLO MY HONEY! HELLO MY RAGTIME GAAAAL!** _ ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/75 "2019-01-19T02:52:00Z")
Mostly local rock radio stations. During baseball season, I listen to the Giants game if there is one. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/76 "2019-01-19T14:26:13Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > It’s too bad you put “talk radio” and “news” as part of the same choice, because they are so different. I can’t abide call in shows of any kind, even Science Friday, and I’ll turn to something else if one comes on. NPR news or public affairs shows are what I listen to, and I switch to music if whatever show is on is uninteresting or unbearable. Yes, can I just say that despite having a degree in science, and working in a scientific field (though I am a middle manager, not a scientist) I really, really don’t like Science Friday. I don’t know what it is, I just never enjoy that show. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/77 "2019-01-19T15:11:47Z")
Golic and Wingo in the morning, The Men’s Room in the afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/78 "2019-01-19T18:10:31Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Well whatever you do then, do NOT check out _Mueller She Wrote_. Content is too well delivered, the revelations make me want to crawl out of my skin. Because I do that, you know. I’m a reptile. Person. > _ **HELLO MY BABY, HELLO MY HONEY! HELLO MY RAGTIME GAAAAL!** _ Exactly. If there’s anything I don’t want to hear, it’s the latest revelations about how awful Trump is. Instead, I’ll hear more of the music I love. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/79 "2019-01-19T20:17:20Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Generally talk radio - either BBC Radio 4, or Radio 2, depending on the time of day and hence the programmes on. > > Otherwise, on longer journeys it’s a mix of podcasts (This American Life and BBC history programmes) or audiobooks. > > I’m not a big music fan, which i realise makes me a freak. Heh. I generally listen to Radio 2, but in my experience it’s a music channel, with a bit of talking. I switch channel if the talking’s going on too long, to find some music (even going so far as :eek: Radio 1 :eek: on occasion). I don’t like listening to talk radio when I’m driving, I find it takes up too much of my concentration. A bit of chatting between songs is OK, but, well, the urge to punch some of the utter muppets who phone in to Jeremy Vine is far too distracting. ---
**Author:** ![fc1114](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@fc1114](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fc1114)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886/80 "2019-01-20T17:19:17Z")
I listen to podcasts, Sirius/Xm, and music that’s loaded onto my iphone. Can’t tolerate terrestrial radio. Not interested in listening to 30 minutes of commercials every hour. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-generally-listen-to-when-you-are-in-the-car/827886.md?page=5)