There are some songs that just keep you going. As the first few pages say in “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“, journeys are much better on a motorcycle than in a car. The wind beating on you, the occasional insect whirring past your head, the heady drown of your bike’s pistons and the pungent smell of the countryside: all add to the experience.
I had the habit of listening to music as I rode. And as I rode more, I found that there are some tricks in putting up the right music for your journey. For example, I listen to fast paced Emraan Hashmi remixes when I have to reach somewhere within a time limit. Of course, if the limit is improbable, I don’t go, but given a chance that the limit is within 5 minutes of what I can do, I go.
Alternatively, when I want to drive/ride (drive is included because these ideas seem to work for cars too) at the usual pace, it is All India Radio’s Akashvani that does the trick - the old time announcers who talk clearly, make sense and keep you cool help a lot in the city traffic.
It is the songs for the highway that I want to write about here. “Aa dekhen zara” from the movie Rocky sung by RD Burman, Kishoreda & Asha Bhosle is a good starter. The song gives you an invincible feeling and sets the tone for the rest of the ride. This would be typically what I would start with when I am starting from Chembur, Mumbai where a bit of city traffic is left. As I cross Trombay, the road opens up, traffic reduces and the speed can touch a sedate 80 KMPH. The song here gets more naughty: “Jawaan Janeman” from Namak Halaal is a peppy track sung by Asha Bhosle. Once you cross Vashi and catch up the highway, “Dil Kya Kare” from Julie sung by Kishoreda fills your ears and the world seems perfect. “Khaike Paan Banaraswaala” from Don prepares you for the smaller city called Panvel ahead and “Sara Zamaana” from the movie Yaraana and “Ae Deewano” from Don puts on top of this world.
Once again you are on the highway and it’s time for pep: “Saamne Yeh Kaun Aaya” from Jawaani Diwaani, “Ek Chaturnaar” and “Bindu” from Padosan, “Jaanu Meri Jaan” from Shaan, “Pyaar Humein” from Satte Pe Satta, “Yeh Jawaani” frpm Jawaani Diwani capped by “Mere Sapnon Ki Raani” from Aradhana and you are ready for your first pit stop. A few Chai & Samosas/Wada Pavs later, you are ready to go. In a more mellow mood, you are looking for a trans-world experience. You start with “Meet Na Mila” from Abhimaan followed by “Musafir Hoon Yaaron” from Parichay and “Jaane Jaan” from Jawani Diwani to enter a stream of songs like “Khoya Khoya Chand”, “Main Zindagi Ka Saath”, “Khilte Hai Gul Yahaan”, “O Mere Dil Ke Chain” and so on.
Listing every song here is impractical, but I guess you got the idea. For the more experienced, include “Punjab” by Karunesh, “Kandisa” and “Bande” by Indian Ocean, “Sayonee” by Junoon, “Piya Re” by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, “Mera Laung”, “Gore Naal” and “Noorie” by Bally Sagoo, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Beat It”, “Black or White”, “Billie Jean”, “Jam” and “Dangerous” by Micheal Jackson, “Desert Rose” by Sting and many such more.
I realise, I am far too lazy to find links for all these songs so please google them.