!(shadow-l)http://static.flickr.com/62/171030020_8b580292e4_m.jpg) I’m a little late for my playlist post (last one was April) but the lag is there for a reason. I’ve been waiting for the “Cars Soundtrack](http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=157042960&s=143441 (no, really)! No other soundtrack (except maybe “Hackers](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000005OMF/104-1672622-3890358?v=glance&n=5174 ten years ago) has made me so giddy, so I’m making it the playlist of the summer and I’ll post another in September. I’m the type to get in the car and take off when I find those few times sans-family and on my own. When I was younger it was more like I’d fight with a boyfriend and take off down to the beach – wherever I was at I’d find my way to the beach, pedal to the metal and all those clichés.

I love a good driving song and this compilation is full of them. Of course there are the standard soundtrack-y tracks like some classical interludes by (of course) Randy Newman (it’s Disney after all), but he doesn’t stick to the obvious orchestral pieces, but mixes some soft jaunts in there so you feel like you’re watching a movie even when you’re not.

What I really love though, is the cool blend of old blues (Chuck Berry) and country (Hank Williams) and classics like James Taylor with the new country (Brad Paisley) and rock (Sheryl Crow and John Mayer).

My favorite song… “Life is a Highway” – it’s always been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it more than 10 years ago and to hear it from Rascal Flatts is just – ^sigh^

Favorite Tracks

**Life is a Highway* – Rascal Flatts **Real Gone* – Sheryl Crow **Route 66* – Chuck Berry’s and John Mayer’s versions both! **Our Town* – James Taylor **McQueen and Sally* – Randy Newman **Sh-Boom* – The Chords

Bonus Album

!(shadow-l)http://static.flickr.com/63/171038983_62af99c6fb_t.jpg) On a lighter ‘note’, I want to give you this softer piece too. “Nickel Creek](http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=75467268&s=143441 has been a favorite of mine since they first came on the scene because they take bluegrass to a place way beyond its limits. This group pushes the edge with each new album and their new one is the best I’ve heard yet. Songs like “Somebody more like you” strike at the heart of lost loves and bitter trails while “Doubting Thomas” reminds us of where we need to be. I hope you find something there for you too. ;)