Start Your Engines: The Firebelly Racing Playlist
Start your engines! It’s racing season, and the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 is just around the corner. This playlist was inspired by the sights, sounds, and speeds associated with the greatest spectacle in racing (or on Earth, depending on who you ask!) I grew up in a racing family, surrounded by people who eat, sleep, breathe, live and die by their love for racing, and these are just some of the songs that I queue up when I am headed to the track. (With a few contributions by my fellow Firebellies!)
“Start Me Up” - The Rolling Stones
There is no song that I associate with hitting the road and heading to a race track more than this classic by The Stones. With clever racing references and an infectious rock ‘n’ roll sound, I have a hard time believing that this song couldn’t make any race fan - die-hard or casual - excited for racing season.
“George Harrison” - Faster
Inspired by and written during a time when this ex Beatle took a year-long break from music-making to follow the Formula 1 circuit, ‘Faster’ is all about racing and the life it entails. It’s an all-around great song and even features the sounds of F1 cars, which Harrison himself captured at races he attended. Harrison was friends with many drivers in the series, most notably, Jackie Stewart, and was taken by the thrill of the sport.
“Runnin’ Down a Dream” - Tom Petty
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Racing is all about chasing your dreams, literally and figuratively, even if it’s a mystery, you’re bound to follow wherever it leads.
“Love Will Turn You Around” - Kenny Rogers
While not quite a rockin’ rev your engines tune, this one takes you through the emotions of someone caught between following their heart and their mind, and even a passion, which a lot of people in racing find themselves doing… and it’s the theme of the classic film, “Six Pack”, which stars Kenny Rogers as race car driver Brewster Baker.
“Car Crazy Cutie” - The Beach Boys
A song of the sillier variety, Car Crazy Cutie is a fun singalong tune that tells all about a guy taken completely by a girl who everyone “flips” for. She’s hip to the scene and even has axel grease embedded ‘neath her fingernails. I’d say she’s a keeper, but that’s just me…
“Victory Lap: Danger Zone” - Post Animal
This is a bit of a more modern rocker by Indie band, Post Animal. Honestly, I chose it mostly for the title, and a lyric that boldly states, “I deserve a f*****g gold medal”, which I’m sure is how a lot of drivers and crew feel after a long day at the track.
“Fast As You” - Dwight Yoakam
It’s not outwardly about racing, but the hard-driving guitar and clever wordplay make it impossible to not associate this one with the sport in my mind. This is one of my personal favorites on the list and will always, without fail, get me excited to go racing.
“Life is a Highway” - Tom Cochrane
Thank you to one of my fellow Firebelly team members for making this contribution! Again, self-explanatory. If life is a highway (or a race track), I want to drive it (or maybe just watch someone else drive it) all night long.
“Rumbleseat” - John Mellencamp
Did I mention Mellencamp? Of course I did. This song starts so strongly you can’t ignore it and has that certain infectious brand of rock ‘n’ roll that only the boy from Seymour can seem to capture. It’s not about racing, but it does have a car reference so that’s good enough, right?
“We Are The Champions” - Queen
Another team contribution that makes total sense! This one captures the feeling of victory that only a driver and team can have after winning a long, hard race. It also captures the essence of a victory being more than a race. A race is the culmination of the long miles driven to get to the track, the hours put in at the shop, and the last-second quick calls and decisive actions that can make or break a night.
“409” - The Beach Boys
This catchy tune by The Beach Boys is real fine. It may even win an award for most racing references in the smallest amount of time. Try listening to this one and tell me you don’t have the need for speed. I’ll be here a whopping one minute and fifty-nine seconds waiting for your answer…
“Running on Empty” - Jackson Browne
Let’s be frank, any road trip playlist sans this song is running on empty. While it’s not directly about racing, you can skew it that way. It fits the vibe and is a classic “hit the road” song.
“Helen Wheels” - Wings
In this rocker by another ex-Beatle, you’ll find allusions to the road, a driver, a journey to some destination (or many), and a chorus that’s irresistibly catchy and easy to sing along with.
“Back Home Again in Indiana” - Jim Nabors
Need I say more? I chose to save what may not be the best, but perhaps the most iconic, for last. It’s impossible to think of Indy 500 opening ceremonies and not get chills each time you hear this song. The original version we all know and love was sung by the irreplaceable Jim Nabors, but performed here by a well loved group whose origins were in Indiana, Straight No Chaser. You know the call to “start your engines” is not far away at this point in the ceremonies, and as a true Hoosier there is a sense of pride I can’t help but feel, and I can’t think of any song to encompass that better.