Country Road Songs

It may be a lost or endless highway, it may be a red dirt-, country-, or broken road, but the common denominator is freedom. Freedom from something, freedom for something — who cares? Just get the wind in your hair, put the pedal down, pick a direction, and ride, ride, ride.

Here you can discover a couple of classic songs in unexpected versions. Although Kris Kristofferson wrote "Me and Bobby McGee," his version is not as well-known as Janis Joplin's; and Bobby Troup's "Route 66," made famous by Nat King Cole, gets a western swing reworking by Asleep at the Wheel.

It's not just the guys who are getting into the wind; both Chely Wright and Deana Carter extol the virtues of blasting the radio as the miles pass by. And whatever the transportation or situation, these guys and gals capture the manifold joys of the open road in their music.

Hitting the long, lonesome highway is just about the penultimate country experience, second perhaps only to getting drunk or losing your love. Sometimes it's in conjunction with losing your love, as in "Nothin' but the Taillights," or maybe it's just for the fun of it, as in "On the Road Again." Whether borne from pain or pleasure, a road trip is always an occasion for adventure, so feel free to start yours here.