15 Tunnel Songs to Add to Your Summer Playlist
There’s a chance that you’ve heard of the movie The Perks of Being Wallflower and if you have, you’ve definitely heard of the term “tunnel song.” For those of you who don’t know, a tunnel song is a song with wonderful build up and inspiring lyrics that make you feel “infinite.” Below are fifteen tunnel songs for you to scream to with the top down and radio up.
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“Heroes” by David Bowie
As the original tunnel song, David Bowie’s “Heroes” is a no brainer for the list. As the blueprint for all tunnel songs that followed, it’s lines, “I will be king and you, you will be queen” and “the guns shot above our heads and we kissed as though could fall” really you make listeners feel infinite.
“The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” by Declan McKenna
If I were to call one artist a “tunnel artist” it would be Declan. All of his songs from “British Bombs” to “Brazil” make you feel as though you could live forever. I choose “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” for it’s exceptional lyrics. The opening lines, “I don’t know what I want, if I’m completely honest, I guess I could start a war, I guess I could sleep on it” capture the teenage experience like no other phrases I’ve heard.
“Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure
According to Robert Smith of Spins Magazine, this throwback from ‘92 is a “dumb pop song, but it’s quite excellent actually.” I agree.
“Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap
This may be on my list for rather biased reasons (aka. 500 Days of Summer being an exceptional movie) but everything about this song screams tunnel song. From the inspiring lyrics to the dream-like production of the chorus, it’s inspiring from the start to end.
“Tongue Tied” by Grouplove
“TAKE ME TO YOUR BEST FRIENDS HOUSE, GOIN’ ‘ROUND THIS ROUNDABOUT, OH YEAH!” Everyone needs to scream this song from their car window at least once in their life.
“Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant
While its lyrics may not make you feel immortal, they’ll definitely make you feel limitless. The song says it best, “Life’s too short to even care at all” so roll down your windows and live a little!
“Space Song” by Beach House
While most of my favorite tunnels songs are fast-paced “scream with the windows down songs”, “Space Song” is a slower “hand twirl in the wind song.” And I’m here for it.
“Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees
This very shoutable song is about the blossoming of an infatuating relationship. The song starts off with the lines, “Hey baby won’t you look my way, I can be your new addiction.” Its electric chorus kicks off with these lines: “It started with a whisper and that was when I kissed her and then she made my lips hurt.” Hot Girl Summer or not, this song will have you longing for a moment like this.
“Favorite Liar” by The Wrecks
“Favorite Liar” energetically takes you through the ups and downs of the narrators’ relationship. Lines like, “You’re a liar, a liar! Hold yourself up higher and higher” show the toxicity of the relationship. But lines like, “I wanna wake up with you, I wanna lay there for a while” make them worth rooting for.
“Can I Call You Tonight?” by Dayglow
“Can I Call You Tonight?” is the ultimate summer road trip song. Dayglow sings from the perspective of a narrator unsure about their feelings towards a friend. The chorus displays this with the lines, “So can I call you tonight? I’m trying to make up my mind, just how I feel, could you tell me what’s real?” The song’s hopeful lines and uptempo vibe make it ideal for long drives.
“Always Forever” by CULTS
This rather repetitive “hand twirl in the wind song” allows you to memorize it effortlessly. The song only has five lines that don’t repeat including its one line bridge: “Oh, darling, it’s alarming to think of us apart.”
“Social Cues” by Cage the Elephant
The party song describes a socially awkward narrator trying to hide away, “Hide me in the back room, tell me when it’s over, don’t know if I could play this part much longer.” Irony at its finest.
“Team” by Lorde
Despite it’s slow, hunger games-esque beginning, Team is an upbeat song makes you feel like you’re the main character of a post-apocalyptic movie about a group of teens rebelling against the government.
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
Throwing it back once again with “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” released in 1985. The song’s lyrics speak out against our power hungry society and dictatorship. In 1990, BBC banned it’s broadcast because of its political themes. Despite the initial backlash, the song has been featured in dozens of movies and tv shows. Does it sound familiar?
“Lovers Rock” by TV Girl
“Lovers Rock” is another amazing “hand twirl in the wind song” about infatuation. But this time, it isn’t exactly mutual. This mellow tune will make you long for a little game of hard to get.
Photo Credit: Perks of Being A Wallflower
