10 top travelling songs for happy times

Hey, I know it is really strange for someone who sucks at karaoke to be giving to be giving advice on ‘top travelling songs for happy times’. That being said, if you’re on the plane to Bali having to listen to an Asian girl flirt with a Caucasian dude for a full 2 hours, these songs will be a lifesaver. #truestory. Also if you have to contend with your fellow passengers requesting for multiple servings of beer, wine and apple juice on the plane, these songs will help relive your irritation a little. For added effectiveness, bring along those noise cancelling headphones.

Disclaimer: These songs are pretty mainstream, so please don’t judge. Don’t worry #Selfie by Chainsmokers is not in the list. 😉

1. Rather be by Clean Bandit (feat Jess Glynne)

I’m not sure what to say about the video, but the image of people dancing by the ocean, letting go, sounds like real fun. I’m not sure about you, but seeing Jess Glynne make Yakitori (barbequed food in sticks) and shop for sashimi makes me hungry too.

I like that the lyrics is quite meaningful too. Here’s how it goes…

‘We’re a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea
But as long as you are with me, there’s no place I’d rather be..’

Ultimately, it’s not really about the destinations you go to, but the company you’re with.

2. It’s Time by Imagining Dragons

It’s actually a song about farewell, and not the happiest. All I can say is that the tune is pretty upbeat, and the fact about packing up one’s bags and travelling through unknown lands (the three dudes in the video passing by lands that seem similar to Mount Bromo’s ash desert) is a big draw for me. And so is the fact about ‘never changing who I am’.

3. Brave by Sara Bareilles

Travelling is not for the faint hearted, especially you’re on a solo trip. I like how Sara and her gang goes around different parts of town dancing away, with no care if people around are judging them. It’s the sort of mentality you should have when you’re travelling.

What better song to fill you up with courage, than this?

4. Happy – Pharrell Williams

I’ve never felt like grooving down the streets of a foreign land – until I heard this ; )

5. Safe And Sound by Capital Cities

It has a nice beat and I’m guessing clubbers out there will love to be grooving to this once they hit the dance floor.

6. Keane – Somewhere Only We Know

The song and lyrics says it all. It’s one of my favourite songs of all time. Lily Allen’s piano version is slower and gentler on the ears – depends on your preference.

7. The Rainbow Connection

This song is perfect for a boat ride down a lake, surrounded by hills and trees. It’s very chill and laid back, and as the boat moves down the lake, I can imagine Kermit the frog sitting on a branch, strumming his guitar. Very cool, especially if you’re a Muppet fan.

8. Pourquoi, Le Papillon by Claire Bouanich and Michel Serrault

This is the theme song from a 2002 french film called Le Papillon (The Butterflies). It’s about Julien, an aging widower who is a passionate butterfly collector and Elsa, an eight-year-old girl who just move in as his neighbour. Their relationship develops and one day they go hiking to catch butterflies.

I like the song because the girl asks the elderly man some really simple questions and gets back some really cute replies. Questions like “Why do chickens lay eggs?”, and the reply is that “Eggs become chickens”, and “Why do flowers fade”, and the reply is “It’s part of their charm. It’s a really apt travelling song, especially if you’re about to travel to the countryside in France.

9. Milord by Edith Piaf

In all honesty, the lyrics of Milord is not so much about travelling. It’s about a woman of the night who falls in love with an upper-class gentleman who she sees on the street, according to About.com. But its catchy beat just puts me in the mood for travelling.

*Cher has sung the English version of Milord but it’s just not as good in my opinion. 

10. Roar by Katy Perry

This is my top recommendation. No other songs puts me in the holiday mood, like this one. The fact that you’re going to be away from work, enjoying the best of what life has to offer is effectively reflected in these two lines.

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR…..

These are some must-have songs each time I travel. Thought I’ll put in some song recommendations from different parts of the world, or as part of a romantic playlist next week.

Please drop a comment if you have any feedback or suggestions! Cheers!