Imagine you’re sitting at home, feeling that familiar restlessness creeping in.
You know you can’t jet off to some exotic location at the drop of a hat.
But hey, you can still whisk yourself away on musical adventure with songs like “Roam” by The B-52s or “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson.
Each track on this playlist captures the feelings and emotions that come with traveling and the longing to explore new places. Let’s dive in!
Contents
- 20 Songs About Adventure
- 1. “Sleep on the Floor” by The Lumineers
- 2. “Travelling” by Paper Lions
- 3. “Hopeless Wanderer” by Mumford & Sons
- 4. “Wanderlust” by Frank Turner
- 5. “Anywhere” by Passenger
- 6. “Motoring Home” by Sweet Baboo
- 7. “Another Traveling Song” by Bright Eyes
- 8. “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
- 9. “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash
- 10. “Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz
- 11. “Roam” by The B-52
- 12. “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys
- 13. “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay
- 14. “Budapest” by George Ezra
- 15. “Step Out” by José González
- 16. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
- 17. “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root
- 18. “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
- 19. “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band
- 20. “Road Trippin'” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
- Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms
20 Songs About Adventure
1. “Sleep on the Floor” by The Lumineers
The song “Sleep on the Floor” by The Lumineers is a love story about a couple who leave their small town for the big city.
It’s all about their passion for starting a life together, even though they know it won’t be easy. They hold onto hope that they’ll overcome challenges and keep fighting for their love. They sing, “Take all of your savings out / ‘Cause if we don’t leave this town / We might never make it out.”
As the song goes, they’re ready to “driven through the state,” embracing the adventure ahead, despite the uncertainties.
2. “Travelling” by Paper Lions
“Travelling” by Paper Lions has a strong story-like feel with biblical references and a piano that jumps in short bursts. While the song might leave some questions, it appears to be about finding comfort in being lost and embracing the uncertainty of the future.
The lyric “let bygones be gone, it’s all in the past, we raise a glass” suggests that to live in the moment and move ahead, you’ve got to leave the past behind.
Moreover, the song speaks about the thrill of adventure, hinting at the excitement that comes with exploring the unknown, as evident in the line “Travelling the road, less known is where I want to be.”
3. “Hopeless Wanderer” by Mumford & Sons
The song “Hopeless Wanderer” by Mumford & Sons talks about going on adventures, which sometimes means leaving behind the comfort of home and loved ones.
It can feel scary, even if you’re excited about the journey. The song captures this mix of fear and determination as the narrator sings about being a “hopeless wanderer” who can’t help but leave, but still wants to hold onto their loved ones until they do.
In the song, the narrator expresses, “hold me fast ’cause I’m a hopeless wanderer,” conveying the urge to embark on new adventures despite the reluctance to leave behind what is familiar and comforting.
4. “Wanderlust” by Frank Turner
“Wanderlust” by Frank Turner is a song about someone who’s desperate to go traveling. Frank sings about how nothing can beat his strong desire to explore, not even a love that feels just right.
He describes his partner as a source of peace, but they both understand that his urge to see new places will pull him away from their relationship eventually.
In the song, he also talks about how adventure calls to him, tempting him to go out and see the world, as seen in the lines “Darling, I’m leaving / The distance keeps calling me on / Darling, come morning / I’ll be gone.”
5. “Anywhere” by Passenger
The song “Anywhere” by Passenger talks about true love, whether it’s between friends, partners, or family. It’s about trusting someone so deeply that you’re willing to go wherever they go.
The singer mentions different places like the mountains, the deep sea, and the hillsides, but no matter where, they’re ready to go along.
The love they share is wide-reaching and unconditional. The singer embraces the adventure together, wherever it may lead, as expressed in the lines “If you go chasing in rainbows /Just to find the gold end there / Darling just look behind you / Oh, I’ll go with you anywhere.”
6. “Motoring Home” by Sweet Baboo
The song “Motoring Home” by Sweet Baboo captures the essence of adventure with its clear singing and steady drumming.
As the lyrics suggest, “A ‘motor home and a long stretch of straight road'” embody the simplicity and thrill of setting off on a new trip.
It highlights that adventure isn’t always about famous places or daring feats, but can also be found in the quiet moments shared with loved ones along the open road.
7. “Another Traveling Song” by Bright Eyes
“Another Traveling Song” by Bright Eyes is a folksy tune that talks about the mixed feelings of traveling. While it can be thrilling, the constant change and uncertainty of reaching your destination can also wear you out.
Bright Eyes expresses feeling overwhelmed, saying, “so I go back and forth forever,” to convey their sadness about feeling stuck in the cycle of travel.
Amidst the exhaustion, the song hints at the allure of adventure and the excitement that comes with exploring new places, as seen in the lines “Well I’m changin all my strings / I’m gonna write another travelin’ song / About all the billion highways /And the cities at the break of dawn.”
8. “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
“Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf is all about that untamed spirit, with raspy vocals and growling guitar setting the mood just right. It’s a song about embracing freedom and pursuing your wildest ambitions because deep down, you know you were meant for it.
In the face of the unknown, the singer only feels excited, showing how fearless he is when heading towards his dreams, as he sings, “Get your motor runnin’ / Head out on the highway / Looking for adventure / In whatever comes our way.”
No dream is too wild because, as the lyrics say, “like a true nature’s child, we were born to be wild.”
9. “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash
“I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash is a classic travel song written by Geoff Mack. Cash’s deep voice makes it especially captivating as he rattles off a long list of places he’s visited (good luck keeping up!).
The song’s lively pace and playful delivery, along with fantastic country blues music, create a joyful atmosphere.
Listening to it will surely stir up your desire to hit the road and experience the fresh mountain air on your next adventure! As Cash sings, “I’ve been everywhere, man, I’ve been everywhere.”
10. “Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz
“Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz is a song about breaking free from our restrictions and feeling boundless.
Lenny sings, “I want to get away, I want to fly away,” expressing his desire to escape. The upbeat guitar and funky music give the song a hopeful vibe, like he’s ready to take off on an adventure.
With its repetitive lyrics, it feels like Kravitz is just waiting for his chance to soar. It’s time to take off and let this awesome song be your runway.
11. “Roam” by The B-52
The song “Roam” by The B-52’s is like a pep talk for travelers. It’s about encouraging people to explore and share love wherever they go, as the lyrics go, “Take it hip to hip, rocket through the wilderness / Around the world the trip begins with a kiss.”
The band emphasizes the importance of having an open mind when going on adventures. They sing about not being afraid of new places and people.
One of the key lines in the song is “roam if you want to, without anything but the love we feel,” which reminds us that love is all we need for our travels.
12. “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” is about loving someone so deeply that you want to take her anywhere around the world.
In the lyrics, the singer expresses his desire to visit numerous tropical locations with this person, imagining that their love story will unfold in places with salty air and sandy beaches. He sings, “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to / Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama / Key Largo, Montego / Baby, why don’t we go?”
In the end, the song revisits the romantic idea that love can ignite our adventurous spirit and make us want to find an ideal place to live with our loved one for the rest of our lives.
13. “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay
In “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay, the band builds excitement around the idea of connecting with someone and appreciating the magic it brings.
In the lyrics, the singer is so thrilled with the love he found, as expressed in the lines, “Now I feel my heart beating / I feel my heart beneath my skin / Oh, I can feel my heart beating / ‘Cause you make me feel.”
He’s falling head over heels and willing to share his life with his love interest, and embrace any adventures together, singing, “If we’ve only got this life / This adventure, oh then I / And if we’ve only got this life / You’ll get me through, oh.”
14. “Budapest” by George Ezra
“Budapest” by George Ezra is one of his early hits that really made him famous. With his comforting voice and distinctive style, he brings a calming vibe to this romantic tune.
In the song, Ezra sings as if he’s a wealthy person who seems to have everything, yet he’s willing to leave it all behind for the person he loves. He croons, “But for you oh, you oh, I’d Leave it all.”
The singer values that special someone above all else, and he’s not afraid to leave his comfort zone and take on an adventure with his love interest, as he sings, “Give me one good reason why I should never make a change / Baby if you hold me then all of this will go away.”
15. “Step Out” by José González
“Step Out” by José González is about leaving your comfort zone, which might seem scary but is also an exciting adventure. The song talks about the feeling of knowing it’s time to step out of that safe space and face new challenges. The chorus, with its soothing background vocals, helps to boost your courage.
When he sings, “House on fire / Leave it all behind you / Dark as night / Let the lightning guide you,” it’s like saying once you take that leap, there’s no turning back. Leaving your comfort zone changes you, making you stronger and more courageous.
It’s a perfect fit for the theme of courage and exploration in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” soundtrack.
16. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson captures that never-ending craving for adventure.
Once you’ve experienced the wonders of the world and all the incredible moments it offers, you’ll eagerly find yourself singing, “I can’t wait to get on the road again.”
The lively strings and comforting harmonies give this song a rustic, folksy vibe that perfectly suits the start of a new adventure. It’s no wonder this song is one of the most beloved adventure anthems.
17. “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root
“Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root is a cheerful tune with catchy whistling and lyrics that might be a bit tricky to decipher, but that’s part of the fun when singing along.
In this upbeat track, Rusted Root is about embracing adventure and hitting the road with excitement.
Regardless of any obstacles or challenges along the way, they maintain an optimistic outlook, believing that they’ll keep moving forward, whether it’s running or crawling.
With lines like “I would like to reach out my hand / I may see you, I may tell you to run (on my way, on my way) ” they express the joy of companionship on their journey.
18. “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
“Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones is a soothing and romantic ballad that expresses the desire to escape from reality with a loved one.
It captures the romantic allure of elopement, even for soul mates, with its daring yet passionate spirit.
Jones revisits this idea as she tenderly invites her partner to “come away with me, and we’ll kiss on a mountaintop.” The song brings to mind the legendary love story of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, who defied conventions to be together.
Despite the risks, Jones’ soothing vocals create a sense of peacefulness, reminding us that with love, even the most daring adventures can feel serene.
19. “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band
“Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band is a song that resonates with those who’ve had a nomadic childhood.
The singer describes himself as “born a ramblin’ man,” which refers to a life constantly on the move, never staying in one place for too long.
While it’s not without its challenges, there’s a certain beauty in the simplicity of wandering, living freely, and doing your best wherever you go, as the singer chants, “Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man / Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can.”
20. “Road Trippin'” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Road Trippin'” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is a calm and cozy song. It’s about friends going on a road trip together, seeking adventure along the way, as evident in the lines “Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies / Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies.”
Although they don’t have a specific place to go, they’re excited to enjoy the beauty of the world and each other’s company.
They express the desire of getting lost in the USA and having a great time, singing, “Let’s go get lost anywhere in the USA / Let’s go get lost, let’s go get lost.”
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Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.