· 60 per cent of Brits say “golden oldies” and “cheesy classics” make the best driving playlist
· Three quarters of UK drivers indulge in ‘car-eoke’ – belting out tunes behind the wheel
· Holly Willoughby and David Beckham are the UK’s dream road trip companions
· Katie Hopkins is the UK’s nightmare car companion!
Frost is not adverse to singing in the car and it seems we are not the only ones. In an age of digital addiction – where everyone is keen to be connected, informed and upgraded – it seems our music taste hasn’t changed with the times. Despite a thoroughly modern lifestyle, Brits prefer to listen to classic bands like Queen in the car, a survey of 1,000 UK drivers revealed.
While one in three Brits use a smartphone or iPod to listen to music when driving, the majority of people prefer songs that were hits long before these devices were invented. Nine of the ten songs revealed as the best driving songs were released in the 1970s and 1980s. Brit rockers Queen topped the poll, stealing the first and second spots.
To mark the arrival of the New Original MINI, 55 years after the original Mini was launched in 1959, MINI has delved into the past to find the greatest driving tracks of all time.
Long live the Queen
The band Queen is the nation’s favourite artist overall to play in the car (16 per cent of votes), having beaten the likes of Michael Jackson (9 per cent), Fleetwood Mac (8 per cent) and Meatloaf (6 per cent) in the national poll. Their 1978 hit ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ was voted best driving song with a quarter of the votes, and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ claimed number two with 21 per cent of the votes. Londoners favoured Michael Jackson while Scottish respondents voted for Fleetwood Mac and Geordies preferred to play Meatloaf.
UK drivers love ‘car-aoke’
Three quarters of Brits admitted they like to belt out a tune when behind the wheel. In fact, 28 per cent of respondents said they sing “loud and proud” no matter who is listening. However, almost half of the UK (46 per cent) will only sing when they are in the car on their own. ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA is the nation’s favourite guilty pleasure to croon along to.
Fantasy road trip: Holly Willoughby or David Beckham on Route 66
When it comes to choosing the dream trip to accompany a soundtrack, Brits opt for Route 66, with one in three of us saying that would be our fantasy drive. ITV’s Holly Willoughby topped the poll for the person we want most in the passenger seat – chosen over royalty, sporting heroes and film stars including Kate Middleton, David Beckham and Daniel Craig. David Beckham did however top the poll for women. Holly’s TV nemesis, Katie Hopkins, claimed top of the list for the ultimate nightmare car companion. Others on the nightmare list included Bruce Forsyth, Boris Johnson (who topped the poll for Londoners!) and UKIP party leader Nigel Farage.
Robbie helps us to relax
When it comes to tunes that calm us on the road, the song to choose is Angels by Robbie Williams. The hit topped the list of songs that soothe road rage, with a quarter of respondents selecting the popular 90s ballad. Conversely, Angels by indie band The XX had just four per cent of the vote for their 2012 single. Once again the more classic tracks, including Dionne Warwick’s Walk on By and U2’s With or Without You, were chosen over current chart favourites such as Strong by London Grammar (2 per cent) for relaxation.
MINI has recently launched the newest addition to its fleet, The New Original MINI, which combines over half a century of heritage with state-of-the-art technology and design. The stunning new Hatch – packing twin power turbo engines, in-car technology with ‘MINI connected’, and cutting-edge safety features – answers the nation’s need for a car that meets their modern requirements while satisfying their classic tastes.
TOP TEN DRIVING SONGS
1. Don’t stop me now – Queen
2. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
3. Bat out of hell – Meatloaf
4. Don’t stop Believin’ – Journey
5. Dancing Queen – Abba
6. Hotel California – The Eagles
7. Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
8. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
9. Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea
10. I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers
THE TOP TEN GUILTY PLEASURE SONGS TO SING ALONG TO IN THE CAR
1. Dancing Queen – Abba
2. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
3. Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
4. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
5. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
6. Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
7. I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers
8. Black Velvet – Allanah Myles
9. All Out of Love – Air Supply
10. Relight my Fire – Take That
THE BEST SONGS TO SOOTHE ROAD RAGE
1. Angels – Robbie Williams
2. With or Without You – U2
3. Walk on By – Dionne Warwick
4. Always – Bon Jovi
5. Yellow – Coldplay
OUR IDEAL ROAD TRIPS
1. Route 66, USA
2. Amalfi Coast, Italy
3. Land’s End to John O’Groats, UK
4. East Coast, Australia
5. Auckland to Queensland, New Zealand
OUR TOP FANTASY CELEBRITY ROAD TRIP COMPANIONS
1. Holly Willoughby
2. David Beckham
3. Daniel Craig
4. Kate Middleton
5. Boris Johnson
OUR NIGHTMARE PASSENGER SEAT COMPANIONS
1. Katie Hopkins
2. Bruce Forsyth
3. Boris Johnson
4. Nigel Farage
5. Harry Styles