Hit the road with the perfect playlist!
After getting everything ready, I left Delhi and headed to Jaipur. The city seemed to be in sorrow for my leaving, but it was just a moment of quiet before the chaos and traffic arrived. I had a long drive ahead of me – all the way to Jaipur – and I was both excited and a little nervous. But as I settled into the driver’s seat and pressed play on my carefully crafted playlist, waiting for one of my favorite songs to pop up, it was none other than the OG “Kun Faya Kun” by A.R. Rahman. Its gentle, spiritual tones filled the car, mixing with the soft morning light. As I drove away from my city to a new place, the lyrics of the song became more relatable to me.
The music on my playlist changed as the city gave way to the highway. I found myself moving along and tapping the steering wheel to the lively beats of “Slow motion Angreeza” from the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. It was just the right tune to get me energized for the long drive ahead. This reminded me of dancing at a friend’s wedding, and all of a sudden, the ride didn’t feel so lonely.
The Morning Music
I reached the outskirts of the city and it was time to shift my slow and soothing songs to more relaxed and comforting but with a sense of energy. So I played “Make You Mine” by PUBLIC. The song describes the beauty of confessing your love to your lover. As I drove away the highway and with each new song, the journey became more than just a drive – it became an adventure. When Amit Trivedi’s “Naina Da Kya Kasoor” came on, all of a sudden I was lost in the nervousness and excitement of everything I was going to experience in Jaipur.
Every turn of the road revealed something different: a tiny roadside shrine decked with marigolds, a colorful vehicle decorated with elaborate motifs, a bunch of kids playing cricket in a dusty field. My playlist appeared to provide the ideal musical backdrop for each of these occasions, elevating the experience and leaving a lasting impression on my memory.
An Unexpected Turn
I think it’s a ritual that whenever I travel for something big, there has to be at least one problem in the journey. The same happened to me when I was traveling with my family to our ancestral home. But I can’t let these obstacles affect my journey, I have to keep moving forward just like the song “Bandeya Rey Bandeya” by Arijit Singh and Asees Kaur. At first, I got frustrated with the roadblock problem but with song calmed me down and I tried to be patient and not panic. This journey will always have a special place in my heart. I pulled into a bustling roadside dhaba, the tantalizing aroma of spices filling the air. As I stepped out of the car, stretching my legs, I could hear the faint strains of a popular Bollywood song playing from the dhaba’s old radio. It mixed pleasantly with the sizzle of hot tawas and the chatter of fellow travelers. I was welcomed with the song ” Angrezi Beat” by Honey Singh. I had a great laugh because of the sudden change of music because till now I had not encountered any Punjabi songs. This song was much needed to ease my tiredness.
When my meal arrived, I relished every piece, understanding how hungry I’d been. The fluffy, buttery naan and the thick, creamy dal were just what I needed. I added a couple more songs to my playlist for the rest of the journey as I was eating. I was feeling refreshed and prepared to take on the next portion of my journey, having consumed a full stomach and placed a fresh cup of cutting chai in the car’s cup holder. As I merged back onto the highway, I pressed play, and the upbeat tunes of “Badtameez Dil” filled the car. Its lively rhythm matched my renewed energy perfectly.
Approaching Jaipur
“Padharo Mhare Des,” a traditional Rajasthani folk song started paying, I couldn’t help but laugh at how perfect it was. Here I was, lost on a back road in Rajasthan, and my playlist had picked the most fitting song possible. The cheerful beats and welcoming lyrics completely changed my mood. As I merged back onto the highway, I pressed play, and the upbeat tunes of “Badtameez Dil” filled the car. Its lively rhythm matched my renewed energy perfectly. The landscape continued to change as I drove further into Rajasthan. The lush fields gave way to more arid terrain, dotted with hardy shrubs and the occasional dune. My playlist seemed to sense this shift, transitioning to songs that captured the essence of the desert state.
As the iconic guitar riff of “Pasoori” by Ali Sethi started playing, I felt a second wind coming on. The song’s fusion of Punjabi and Rajasthani elements felt like the perfect soundtrack for this part of the journey. I found myself singing along at the top of my lungs, feeling completely in sync with the road and the music.
The lunch break and the burst of musical energy had given me a new perspective on the journey. What could have been a tiring afternoon drive became an exhilarating experience. Each kilometer brought me closer to Jaipur, and each song added another layer to the memories I was creating.
The Playlist’s Grand Finale
The sky was getting dark as I drove towards Jaipur. I could see the city in the distance now. My music was coming to an end, just like my journey. Suddenly, I saw it – the big, beautiful Amber Fort. It looked like a picture against the evening sky. I needed the perfect song for this moment. I picked “Mitwa” by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The music was big and grand, just like the fort. As I reached Jaipur’s gates, my last song began to play. It was a “Ghoomar” Song by Shreya Ghoshal. The whole Padmavat movie came before my eyes. I had goosebumps all over my body. I drove into the Pink City, feeling happy. The song was like a friendly “hello” from Jaipur itself. It made me feel welcome. My trip was over, and so was my music. But as I looked around at the city lights, I felt like a new adventure was just beginning.
This trip made me realize one thing about my playlist It wasn’t just a bunch of songs anymore. It had become my travel buddy, showing me the way and telling my story. Every song now reminded me of something special from my trip. One song made me think of the long, dusty road. Another brought back how excited I felt seeing the mountains for the first time. There was even a song that reminded me of a yummy lunch I had in a tiny village. My playlist had done more than just play music. It had been with me every step of the way, marking each moment of my journey. It was like each song was a page in a book about my big adventure. I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how my music had become such an important part of my travels.
Craft your playlist, hit the gas, and enjoy the ride!
Looking back, I realize that the playlist did more than just keep me from getting bored on a long drive. It had turned a simple road trip into a rich, emotional journey. Each song added meaning to the changing landscapes and experiences along the way. Now, whenever I hear any of those songs, I’m instantly taken back to specific moments of that trip – the golden fields, the children’s play, the first sight of Jaipur’s pink walls. By creating that playlist, I had unknowingly made a musical memory box of my journey.
what else to do on a road trip? Learn more – https://theaspectratio.in/best-ways-to-stay-engaged-on-long-road-trips/
Best Road Trip Playlist
Here’s a Bollywood road trip playlist with almost 15 songs, incorporating some classics and modern hits:
| Songs | Movies | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Dil Chahta Hai (Dil Chahta Hai) | Dil Chahta Hai | Friendship, Freedom |
| Khaabon Ke Parindey (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | Travel, Dreams |
| Patakha Guddi (Highway) | Highway | Letting Go, Journey |
| Safar (Jab Harry Met Sejal) | Jab Harry Met Sejal | Self-Discovery, Travel |
| Yun Hi Chala Chal (Swades) | Swades | Travel, Roots |
| Aao Milo Chale (Jab We Met) | Jab We Met | Fun, Upbeat |
| Ilahi (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | Romance, Travel |
| Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (Andaz) | Andaz | Life Journey |
| Sooraj Dooba Hain (Roy) | Roy | Melancholy, Reflection |
| Oh Gujariya (Queen) | Queen | Strength, Independence |
| Jee Le Zara (Dil Chahta Hai) | Dil Chahta Hai | Friendship, Adventure |
| London Thumakda (Queen) | Queen | Self-Confidence, Celebration |
| Karwan (Karwaan) | Karwaan | Friendship, Road Trip |
| Gerua (Dilwale) | Dilwale | Romance, Travel |
| Chale Chalo (Lagaan) | Lagaan | Friendship, Determination |
