Bustin' A Move Behind the Wheel
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| Photo: Smaku |
I may be a big nerd who sits around at home reading Pew Research studies just for the hell of it, but get me behind the wheel, and I become a contestant on American Idol. Admit it like 7 out of 10 of your peers: you do too.
And you know you know you're not going to convince anybody you're bringing SexyBack without bobbing your head and shaking your shoulders.
Snapping, clapping, thigh tapping...
Fist pump, head bump, steering wheel thump...
All legitimate driver's seat dance moves.
Unfortunately, I'm never aware I'm doing these things until I realize I've been caught. I was observed more than once wheeling into my old workplace doing some combination of the above. This would be less embarrassing if I didn't typically listen to NPR News at that time of day.
So if I unconsciously rock out to the sounds of Amazon crickets on Pulse of the Planet, just imagine the scene when I'm listening to something that requires a sing-a-long. The other day I was running errands, and one such song came on.
| It's natural It's chemical (let's do it) It's logical Habitual (can we do it?) It's sensual But most of all..... I Want Your Sex |  |
It was 80's hour on the party station, and I'm so sure I was going to sit still to anything played on that. I'm a 30-something woman on that day without make-up in an I'm-just-running-errands pony tail... and it's perfectly natural, chemical, logical and habitual to belt out the songs of my youth.
I looked to my left.
What's that guy's problem? He was early 20's "Vegas Guy" with gelled hair peering over at me from his shiny SUV with his lip curled. So I laughed, of course. In a move straight out of my Mother's embarrassing self-deprecation handbook, I gave him a campy wink and a spirit-fingers wave.
He didn't even crack a smile, but that's OK. He still has his version of the story to tell a friend or two. As I've mentioned before, you are probably a legend. If some suave car dancing moves earn me a surreptitious fan club, well, I'm totally at ease with it.
So now that I've reinterpreted Pew's research to confirm that all the cool kids are singing in the car, let's talk songs. Here are five oldies that I think have to be sung at an embarrassing volume. How about you — What makes you Bust A Move behind the wheel?
- Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Hurt So Good, John Cougar
- I like Big Butts, Sir Mix A Lot
- Word Up, Cameo
- You Shook Me All Night Long, AC/DC
I'd like to add "Hey, Mickey" to that list, as I have been busted a number of times singing that one.
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Ah, yes! That one comes complete with head bopping and swim arms.
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How about a shout-out for "Drive" --- a simple tune with timeless, relevant lyrics. Makes a great gift for all ages. Download it now on iTunes. Better yet buy the CD... ISBN 401-2057616.
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So I have an entire playlist (69 songs) that are my road anthems. There's not a lot of consistency to them except that they make me feel like sticking my arm out the window, letting it float in the wind, and pretending like I'm the only one on the road. I particularly like Edie Brickell, Blues Traveler, Indigo Girls, Aretha, Dusty Springfield, Janis Joplin, Eminem, Madonna, Beastie Boys, and Widespread Panic. Oh simple pleasures- I think I need a road trip now.
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This just gave me the greatest visual -- thank you!!
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