My Gen X Playlist: Blue Highway – Billy Idol

When we were little, my brothers and I played this road trip game. The first person to see and call out an out of state license plate got to punch the others in the arm. Juvenile, I know. In our defense, we were kids.

We also sang the hundred bottles of beer on the wall song from 100 all the way to zero. Sometimes we’d sing it at the top of our lungs. In hindsight, it must have driven my parents nuts. And why is there a children’s song about beer, anyway?

My mom used to pack sandwiches, potato chips and fruit for the car ride. We even got to drink soda. That was a treat. It’s the simple things in life that helped make the trip fun.

We didn’t mind a six hour car ride. Sure it was long, but we made passing the time fun. There’s nothing like being a little kid going on a road trip. What great memories.

Rolling Stone put together a list of the 50 best road songs. I may not agree with the list, but I did find a song I haven’t heard in decades. Coming in at #34 is Billy Idol’s Blue Highway.

If a highway can be a metaphor for an intense drug trip, then drugs can also be a metaphor for an intense road trip. “Blue Highway” delivers on both ends of the deal. . .

Rolling Stone

OK, Billy Idol’s trips were a little different than my family’s. Why am I not surprised?

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

So, my good friend
The super drug ends
I go up to the stratosphere
Brain-fry Day-Glo
Holy water for your soul
And I'll wake up in the U.S.A.

Aw, you know we're gonna ride on the blue highway
Walk with electro glide on the blue highway
Wave below to Christ on my highway
Yes, I almost died on the blue highway, hey hey

Oh, the Sons from Mars
On their stolen guitars
Out to ride the night, aah
Soul sisters, soul hitter
I hear you and I miss you
Co-starring in the U.S.A

Aw, you know we gotta ride on the blue highway - oh!
Walk with electro glide on the blue highway
Wave below to Christ on my highway - oh!
Yes, I almost died on a blue highway, hey hey

Ow!
Why do I miss you?
Why did I kiss you, because

You know we gotta ride on the blue highway (oh)
Walk with electro glide on the blue highway
Wave below to Christ on my highway
Yes, I almost died
So glad that you're living now
I'm glad that you're here
I'm glad that you wanna stay, because
You know we gotta ride on the blue highway (ow)
Walk with electro glide on the blue highway, hey hey
Wave below to Christ on my highway
Aah yes, I almost died on a blue highway, hey hey, aw
On a blue highway

Ah you singing, singing
Quaaludes and red wine for love
Yes, there's a time, a time for love
Can you kiss me on a blue highway, hey hey
(Ow, roar war)
Why do I miss you?
How do I kiss you? (ow, woo)