Songs That Take You Places
There's something powerful about the right song at the right moment. One track is enough to ignite wanderlust or make a highway feel like a runway. Across genres, artists and bands have created songs that seem made for motion. We bring together those lovely tunes that capture the spirit of escape here. You might recognize a few, and others may become your next favorite song. Let’s get into 20 of these songs.
Stefan Brending (2eight) on Wikimedia
1. Kokomo By The Beach Boys
Released in 1988, Kokomo centers on a fictional island and features real tropical locales like Aruba and Jamaica. It was written for the movie Cocktail and became synonymous with leisure and escape. Interestingly, John Stamos played drums live during performances with The Beach Boys.
1988 - The Beach Boys - Kokomo - Vinyle 45T LP 7 INCH HQ AUDIO by Ty Vinyle Audio et Video HD
2. Holiday By Madonna
Holiday was Madonna's first American hit. The song nudges listeners to take a break and enjoy. Originally meant for a different artist, it found its true home with Madonna. The synth-heavy sound helped define early ‘80s dance pop. It’s still used in vacation mixes.
Madonna - Holiday vinyl 12" single by darkuss3
3. Island In The Sun By Weezer
This song by Weezer describes escaping to a peaceful island and has appeared in many travel commercials and films. Weezer produced two different music videos for it—one featuring weddings and another with animals. Despite their rock background, the band delivered softly here.
Weezer - Island In The Sun by PurpleBuffaloHunter
4. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) By The Proclaimers
You hear devotion through travel here. Going 500 miles—and 500 more—is the heart of its message. Gaining second-wave chart success through Benny & Joon, it’s known for its catchy intro and is among the top sing-along songs of all time.
The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) (Live 8 2005) by Live 8
5. Send Me On My Way By Rusted Root
This track evokes spontaneous adventure with its lyrics and rhythm. It found its way into travel-related films, including Matilda and Ice Age. The vocals are intentionally nonsensical. Though it didn’t chart highly, it grew popular through film.
Rusted Root - Send Me On My Way - 2/22/2016 - Paste Studios, New York, NY by Paste Magazine
6. Vacation By The Go-Go’s
The Go-Go’s built this hit around the idea of taking a vacation. Making waves as the first cassette single sold to the public, the video featured synchronized water skiing. Here was one of the first singles to emphasize fun, female-led travel escape.
"Vacation" - The Go-Go's [I.R.S., 1982] 45 RPM Vinyl rip by Evan Masingill
7. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) By Rupert Holmes
Escape was a number 1 hit. It tells a story about seeking adventure and ultimately choosing a beach escape. Despite the song’s title, Rupert Holmes didn't actually enjoy piña coladas. Still, it remains among the most-played tropical tracks worldwide.
Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Piña Colada Song) [Vinyl] by TuneSpin!
8. Riptide By Vance Joy
After a professional football career, Vance Joy turned to music. Among his songs is Riptide, a mellow tune with summer and travel vibes. Several countries had it as a platinum-certified hit. Known for quirky, cryptic lyrics, the track had online decoding communities talking.
Riptide (Live From Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne) by Vance Joy
9. Three Little Birds By Bob Marley
With calming lyrics that say, “Don’t worry,” this reggae classic fits perfectly on any beach escape playlist. Released in 1977, it brings peace and serenity to mind. The “three little birds” were reportedly Marley’s backup singers and the song’s been covered widely.
10. Walking On Sunshine By Katrina And The Waves
Despite a delayed chart performance, Walking on Sunshine went on to become a popular choice in travel and happiness-focused media. This song captures the euphoria of the sun and movement. It’s heard often in airport arrival montages.
Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine (1985) [Vinyl Video] by Gramophone
11. Beautiful Day By U2
Released by U2, Beautiful Day emphasizes hope and forward motion. It won three Grammy Awards and reached top chart positions worldwide. Bono wrote it after rediscovering joy during a rough personal patch, and the song was used during London’s Heathrow Terminal 5 opening.
U2 - Beautiful Day - Vinilo Vinyl by Marcokun Vinilo Honesto
12. Come Away With Me By Norah Jones
Norah’s debut single shared the album’s title. Come Away With Me invites listeners to run away into peace. The song played a key role in defining Jones’s cozy, escape-ready style, and its soft jazz tones have made it popular for honeymoon promotions.
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why (2002) [Vinyl Video] by Gramophone
13. Cake By The Ocean By DNCE
Set entirely at the beach, Cake by the Ocean is a high-energy track that celebrates carefree living. The title originated from the misuse of a phrase by Swedish producers. It earned nominations from both MTV and iHeartRadio.
DNCE - Cake By The Ocean (Vevo LIFT) by DNCE
14. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems By Kenny Chesney
In this song, Chesney embraces a beach-centered, work-free lifestyle. This track played a major role in popularizing island escape themes within country music. Chesney often performs it barefoot, and it inspired a merch brand of its own.
Unboxing Kenny Chesney - No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems by CD Galore
15. Road Trippin’ By Red Hot Chili Peppers
This song recounts a real Pacific Coast trip by Red Hot Chili Peppers and celebrates brotherhood, simplicity, and scenery—core road trip themes. It stands out for the absence of drums and features an upright bass played by Flea.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Road Trippin #15 [Vinyl rip] by Melomanu
16. Toes By Zac Brown Band
Toes became one of the most popular beach-themed country songs, and it drove merchandise sales and fan tattoos. This song is about escaping to a Mexican beach and living stress-free. The song fuses bluegrass with coastal vibes, and the lyric was changed for radio.
Zac Brown Band - Toes (Recorded Live from Southern Ground HQ) by Zac Brown Band
17. On Top Of The World By Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons expresses the thrill of achievement and travel elevation here. It was written to celebrate their success. The clapping beat went viral, and the song has been featured in airline commercials, Sochi Olympics promo, and DreamWorks films.
On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons (Vinyl) by Mr Penguin
18. Good Life By OneRepublic
OneRepublic’s Good Life names cities like Paris and London, embracing global exploration, in this song, directly inspired by their time on tour. Commercials used it, including Honda’s, and it became popular in travel-themed content. Its whistling hook became instantly recognizable worldwide.
OneRepublic - Good Life (One Night in Malibu) by OneRepublic
19. Steal My Sunshine By Len
This song by Len features summer-themed lyrics and production. Filmed in Daytona Beach, its video shows scooters and sunshine, and it samples Andrea True’s disco hit More, More, More. Though it was a one-hit wonder, it later regained popularity.
Len - Steal My Sunshine by POP HD
20. America By Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel’s America describes a cross-country road trip in search of meaning. Inspired by Paul Simon’s personal Greyhound journey, it became a cultural staple. The song has been featured in films and ads. Its lyrics are also studied academically.
SIMON & GARFUNKEL : THE COLLECTION CD BOX SET by KRAZEEIZATION
