Music and Motorcycles, two words in sync with each other, fantastic motorbike songs over the years have inspired generations, sparked a motorcycling revolution, and brought about cultural change in the way we perceive motorcycles in the years.
With this amount of richness and inspiration, we compiled a list of ultimate motorbike songs that every living soul must be aware of. To perform this mammoth task, we had our work cut out for us, so many Songs all over the World are synonymous with Motorcycling or Motorcycles, here’s what we did, since we had to judge the best motorcycling songs, we had to listen to each one (That’s Awesome).
To compile the best, we began our research. We searched, listened, and read a lot of lyrics, which eventually led to the creation of a pool of awesome songs. Now by doing so, we came to the realization, all popular ones are good, but not the best (except for one or two), the best ones were hidden somewhere in this mammoth pool of music goodness, to judge the best songs relatively, we had to devise an analysis scale psychcle style.
MRBT Scale: Ranked higher to Lower
Level 1: The Song should be either about motorcycling (analogy about life is okay) – M – 4
Level 2: Should be about Riding – R – 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – B – 2
Level 4: Finally, the tune should be awesome- T–1
So we pondered, looked, searched, listened, Analysed, Rated, and compiled a list of the songs that we feel best to describe what we say “the art of Motorcycling”:
Finally, Let’s break it down for you guys;.
No 10.
Song: ‘Ezy Ryder’
Artist: Jimi Hendrix
Album: ‘The Cry of Love (1971)
Psychoanalysis —
Plus side: Amazing Guitar Play, Music, And Vocals, the song was inspired by the Movie Name Easy Rider, it’s about a guy who is riding on the Highway Of Love, a person who goes with the flow, falls in love wants to live free and finally Its Jimmy Hendrix do we say More.
Minus Side: The Song has little to do with the art of Motorcycling, riding analogy is okay though, based on the free spirit of the movie easy rider.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 2/4
Level 2: Riding –1/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 4/10.
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No 9.
Song: ‘Motorcycle Mama
Artist: SailCat
Album: ‘Motorcycle Mama (1972)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Amazing Acoustic Music, Brilliant Voice, and a lot of Motorcycling related lyrics, riding on a highway on a Harley, adding a sidecar, and passing through towns.
Minus Side: The Song is about a guy asking a girl to run away with him, not a good analogy to use in a song as per us, now you be the judge.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 3/4
Level 2: Riding –1/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 5/10.
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No 8.
Song: ‘Motorcycle Man
Artist: Saxon
Album: ‘Wheels of Steel (1980)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Amazing Punk Rock Music, Terrific Vocals, Foot Tapping upbeat tempo, Amazing Guitar Shredding
Minus Side: Poor Lyrics, not a good message to the Riders. The Song is about being a motorcycle guy getting a kick out of riding insanely fast and doing dangerous stunts, as a purist rider the song is selling the idea of riding fast and doing stunts that are not recommended by us.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 2.5/4
Level 2: Riding –2/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 5.5/10.
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No 7.
Song: ‘Little Honda’
Artist: The Beach Boys (1964)
Album: N.A.
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: A Simple tribute song by the legendary beach boys describing a small Honda Cub Motorcycle for its ease of riding. Comparing a lightweight Honda Cub Bike to a lot of the Bigger Bikes of the Generation, by singing that it can do anything since the motorcycle is lightweight and fast.
Minus Side: Lyrics are simple, sounds like a Honda Advertisement, not that it is bad in any way.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 2/4
Level 2: Riding –1/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 2/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 6/10.
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No 6.
Song: ‘The Motorcycle Song
Artist: Arlo Guthrie — 1967
Album: N.A.
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Simple Music and Rhyme, Just Simply about a man who had an accident and wanted to write his feelings about riding his Bike. The pronunciation of the Motorcycle is amazing as he describes it as Motorcikle. There is a genius in the Nonsense, a weird but awesome story behind the song.
Minus Side: Lyrics are technically really poor.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 2.5/4
Level 2: Riding –3/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 6.5/10.
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No 5.
Song: ‘Ballad of Easy Rider’
Artist: Roger McGuinn
Album: ‘Easy Rider’ (1969)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Soothing Acoustics Music, Brilliant Lyrics, It’s about riding where you want to go, without any plans, wherever the River takes You.
Minus Side: It’s on a single track, some people might consider it slow, but it’s not foot-tapping for sure.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 3/4
Level 2: Riding –3/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 7/10
The Best of the Lot
No 4.
Song: ‘Bat Out of Hell
Artist: Meat Loaf
Album: From ‘Bat Out of Hell (1977)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Brilliant song by the legendary band about a boy who is riding fast, crashes, sees the life flashing in front of him, and remembers his girlfriend, Lyrically one of the Best motorcycle Songs we have heard, Sends a message about bad implications of riding fast.
Minus Side: Even though the song is lyrically excellent, the Music is Average at best.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 3.5/4
Level 2: Riding –3/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 7.5/10
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No 3.
Song: ‘Live to Ride, Ride to Live
Artist: Twisted Sister
Album: ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll’ (1983)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Amazing Music, Brilliant Analogy comparing the art of Riding to Life itself, superb guitar shredding, Nice Lyrics, one of those complete songs.
Minus Side: None As Such, It can be classified as a tone song if you really want to judge, listen and judge by Yourself.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 4/4
Level 2: Riding –3/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 0/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 8/10.
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No 2.
Song: ‘1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Artist: Richard Thompson
Album: Rumor & Sigh (1991)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Probably one of the best motorcycle songs of all time, a true tribute to the Legendary Vincent Motorbike, A man named James describing his affection for a girl and his motorcycle(1952 Vincent Black Lightning), composed by one of the best singer, songwriter, and Lyricist of his generation. The music Is pleasing, with Superb Voice and incredible Lyrics. It, Rated of the best Songs of all time by Time Magazine.
Minus Side: Still at the No 2 Position even after being such an incredible song, according to us, there is one better than this.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 4/4
Level 2: Riding –2/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 2/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 9/10.
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That Brings us to the No 1 Song, any Guesses, you might since it’s not come up as yet,
The Best Motorcycle Song of All time is;
Drumroll Please, you guessed it
No 1.
Song: ‘Born to Be Wild’
Artist: Steppenwolf
Album: ‘Steppenwolf’ (1968)
Movie: Easy Rider( 1969)
Psychcleanalysis —
Plus side: Cult Classic, Amazing song with lovely music, Vocals from a genre-defining movie. Simply a Brilliant song from a classic movie, the song defines riding, need we say more?
Minus Side: The only small issue is the use of the word “wild” associated with riding, you be the judge.
Level 1: Motorcycling/ analogy – 4/4
Level 2: Riding –3/ 3
Level 3: The MotorBike itself – 1.5/2
Level 4: tune should be awesome- T – 1/1
PsychcleRating Scale: 9.5/10.
Final Thoughts
Have you listened to them all? If not then what are you waiting for? Google them, youtube them, or Wynk them and let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Tell us about more songs:
You can check out these songs on the artist’s Official Music channels too.
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Till we meet again, Ride safe & responsibly, be aware of the surroundings and always wear protective gear.
