Some compositions flow with the movement of the vehicle; the jerks and bumps as the buses stop-start, the left-right sway of trains changing tracks, and accelerating; a plane liftoff.. Most of these tracks give a sweet sense of rhythm while travelling in crowded Kolkata PT (public transport.. more on this one later ) … 

So here are my Top 5  favourite “travel songs”…classified on basis of the journey distance, mode of travel; when must these be listened to -anytime during the journey, at the start, a filler (in between the journey)?

1.Hard Sun (Into the Wild soundtrack) – Eddie Vedder

ALL TIME favourite! On Repeat Play for a Loooong largley unbroken journey on a bus/train ! A distinct “Red Indian” touch to this piece by the usage of a particular instrument- the same used in Dekha Hai Aise Bhi  (Lucky Ali) as well…can’t put a name to it

2. Kaise Mujhe tum mil gayi (Movie:Gajini)- Benny Dayal, Shreya Ghosal

This is the only plane song in my 5-track list..The sitar music blended so skilfully, alongwith Benny Dayal’s vocals which shifts to a  higher pitch as the song builds up, gives the effect of an airplane’s engines revving up and soaring into the open sky… it grows on you,  like most of Rahman’s numbers; more so after you’ve seen the video. Listened to it all day when I first got it on my system- the sole song on my playlist, repeat play The beats in this song also go with a train’s jerky movements and the clack-clack sounds of the tracks on its wheels..play in beginning (flight) or a filler (train travel)

3. Faraway (Soundtrack-Pride and Prejudice) Nickelback

A good filler song for medium paced, freeflowing traffic/train journey.. the wind blowing into your face gently as you listen to this one  

4. Speed of Sound – Coldplay

Another filler, carelessly, lazily sung with its brilliant lyrics.. rolls on slower roads with a few speedbreakers now and then.. 

5.  Dekha hai aise bhi – Lucky Ali

To begin a long journey.. sets the mood Ali’s raspy, slightly nasal, the slow paced track combined with good road on a bus..

 

There are a lot more, but let’s just stop at these 5!