10 Classic Rock Songs That Will Get You A Speeding Ticket

I was recently driving on the New York State Northway in Upstate New York listening to Motorhead’s “Bomber,” when I realized I was doing 85 mph. Now, I’m not much of a fast driver. My whole family tells me I drive them crazy because I drive too slowly. Nonetheless, there was something about this Motorhead song that made me lose control of my typical careful driving skills. Of course, as I’m always thinking about what to write about next, this idea popped into my mind instantly. There are probably thousands of songs that will make you drive too fast. Maybe millions? Nonetheless, I thought, let’s put together a list of 10 that will no doubt be successful in putting the pedal to the metal. Just don’t blame me when a state trooper pulls up behind you and says license and registration. And no, no, no, we are not going to include Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55,” because that’s just way too obvious.

# 10 – Bomber – Motorhead

We open up our 10 Classic Rock Songs That Will Get You A Speeding Ticket list with the cranking song that served as the catalyst for this article.  “Bomber” was released by Motörhead in 1979. It was on their album also titled Bomber. The song was recorded at Roundhouse Studios and Olympic Studios in London, between July and August 1979. It was produced by Jimmy Miller. The line-up for this particular track, as with the rest of the album, featured Lemmy Kilmister on vocals and bass, “Fast” Eddie Clarke on guitar, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor on drums.

Read More: Top 10 Motorhead Songs

# 9 – Stone Cold Crazy – Queen

This one will not just make you drive fast; it will rattle your nerves and make you spill your Starbucks Latte. “Stone Cold Crazy” has always been one of our favorite Queen songs. “Stone Cold Crazy” is high-octane track appearing on Queen’s album Sheer Heart Attack. The recording took place at Trident Studios, Wessex Sound Studios, and AIR Studios, all located in London, between July and September 1974. The track was produced by Queen themselves along with Roy Thomas Baker. The lineup for this song included Freddie Mercury on vocals, Brian May on guitar, Roger Taylor on drums, and John Deacon on bass. If you put on Metallica’s version, you will probably get two tickets instead of just one. As my friend Brian, who works for Coke always says, METAL!

Read More : Brian May of Queen: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 8 – Fireball – Deep Purple

We are listing this as we think of them. The drums on this one will get the speeding party started. Probably more than half, the Deep Purple catalog will get you multiple speeding tickets. “Fireball” serves as the opening track on Deep Purple’s 1971 album also titled Fireball. The song was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios and Olympic Studios in London from September 1970 to June 1971. Deep Purple’s lineup at the time consisted of  Ian Gillan on vocals, Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Jon Lord on keyboards, Roger Glover on bass, and Ian Paice on drums. The Fireball album itself was a commercial success. It reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and made it to No. 32 on the US Billboard 200.

Read More: Ian Paice of Deep Purple: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 7 – Hit The Lights – Metallica

There is no way you can drive under 70 while listening to this song. This is a guaranteed speeding ticket, baby. It starts out kind of easy, but then bam! it’s all over. You better start looking in that rearview mirror. “Hit the Lights” is the opening track on Metallica’s groundbreaking debut album, Kill ‘Em All, released in 1983. The recording sessions for the album took place at Music America Studios in Rochester, New York, between May 10 and May 27, 1983. The album was produced by Jon Zazula and Paul Curcio, with the latter also serving as the engineer. At the time of this recording, Metallica’s lineup consisted of James Hetfield on vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich on drums, Cliff Burton on bass, and Kirk Hammett on lead guitar, who had just replaced original guitarist Dave Mustaine.

Although “Hit the Lights” was not released as a single, its impact has been profound. The Kill ‘Em All album itself was initially released through the independent label Megaforce Records and later reissued by Elektra. It reached No. 66 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States.

Read More: Top 10 Covers Of Metallica Songs

# 6 – Go Mental – Ramones

This one is good for speeding and losing your mind at the same time. We could probably play any Ramones song to increase our chances of getting a speeding ticket. We are not saying we want a speeding ticket, but hey, it might have made Joey proud. “Go Mental” is a track featured on their 1978 album Road to Ruin. The recording sessions for this album took place at Media Sound Studios in New York City during the spring and summer of 1978. The album was produced by Tommy Ramone and Ed Stasium. The lineup for this song, as with the entire album, included Joey Ramone on vocals, Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass, and Marky Ramone on drums—the latter making his debut with the band, replacing Tommy Ramone on drums.

Read More: 11 Essential Ramones Songs

# 5 – Draw The Line – Aerosmith

At the halfway point on our 10 Classic Rock Songs That Will Get You A Speeding Ticket list is the smoking song “Draw The Line.” There is just something about that bass lime that makes me want to run through 20 red lights and smile at the cameras.  “Draw the Line” is an Aerosmith song that served as both the opening track and the title song of their fifth studio album, released in 1977. The recording took place at The Cenacle, a former convent in Armonk, New York, as well as The Record Plant in New York City.

The album was produced by Jack Douglas. The musicians featured on this track are Steven Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry on lead guitar, Brad Whitford on rhythm guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass, and Joey Kramer on drums. Draw the Line reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200 album chart. “Draw the Line” was released as a single and peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is easily one of the best songs Aerosmith ever released. You can’t beat 1970s Aerosmith.

Read More: Joe Perry of Aerosmith Interview: 13 Albums That Changed My Life

# 4 – Smokin’ – Boston

Every song on Boston’s debut album is legendary. However, if you’re looking for the one that will get you to work on time….. “Smokin'” is the track that will get you back. Hey, you were just there yesterday right? This iconic record was primarily recorded in Tom Scholz’s basement studio in Watertown, Massachusetts, though some final tracking was done at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. Scholz was the driving force behind the album’s production, with assistance from John Boylan for the final mixes. Musicians on the track include Tom Scholz on lead and rhythm guitar as well as organ, Brad Delp on vocals, Sib Hashian on drums, and Fran Sheehan on bass.

Read More: Tommy DeCarlo of Boston: The ClassicRockHistory.Com Interview

# 3 – Gear Jammer

Moving closer to the end of our 10 Classic Rock Songs That Will Get You A Speeding Ticket list we present the jubilant song entitled “Gear Jammer.” This George Thorogood & The Destroyers song basically explains the whole premise of this article. This one is for the truckers….. That sax line gets me every time. The song “Gear Jammer” was included on George Thorogood’s 1985 album Maverick. The recording of the album took place at Dimension Sound Studios in Boston, Massachusetts. The album was produced by Terry Manning. The lineup for this track, and the album as a whole, featured George Thorogood on vocals and guitar, Billy Blough on bass, Jeff Simon on drums, Hank “Hurricane” Carter on saxophone, and a guest appearance by guitarist Steve Chrismar.

Read More: Jim Suhler of the George Thorogood Band: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

# 2 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love – Van Halen

It may not be the fastest song on the list, but it’s definitely the one with the most attitude, and that’s all you need to make sure you make good use of that Sunoco Premium.

“Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”  was released on Van Halen’s groundbreaking self-titled debut album, released in 1978. The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California, between August and September 1977. Produced by Ted Templeman, who played a significant role in shaping the band’s sound, the recording lineup included Eddie Van Halen on guitar, David Lee Roth on vocals, Michael Anthony on bass, and Alex Van Halen on drums. Commercially, Van Halen’s debut album was a massive success, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and eventually receiving Diamond certification for sales exceeding 10 million copies in the United States.

Read More: Van Halen’s Best Song On Each Of Their Studio Albums

# 1 – Driving Wheel

We close out our 10 Classic Rock Songs That Will Get You A Speeding Ticket list with the cheery, energetic song entitled “Driving Wheel.” This one has always been our favorite Foghat song. It just sounds like it was made for the road. It’s perfect in every way possible for hitting Interstate 95, rolling down the windows, and just letting it rip. You’ll never catch me coppers! “Drivin’ Wheel” was released in 1976 as part of their eighth studio album, Night Shift. The album was recorded at Suntreader Studios in Sharon, Vermont, and Boogie Motel Studios in Port Jefferson, New York. The production was handled by Dan Hartman of the Edgar Winter Group and, of course, the big-time 70s hit “Instant Replay.” Foghat’s lineup for this song, and the album as a whole, included “Lonesome” Dave Peverett on vocals and rhythm guitar, Rod Price on lead guitar, Roger Earl on drums, and Craig MacGregor on bass.

Read More: Why We Loved Foghat’s Night Shift Album

10 Classic Rock Songs That Will Get You A Speeding Ticket article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024