Kickstart My Heart: A Playlist for Those Raucous and Wild Moods

I myself am not a big fan of the entire playlist idea, mostly because I'm too busy (and too lazy) to create  any sort of playlist for certain moods and situations. But if I was to create a perfect playlist for a night out on the town, cruising in a sweet ride at a consistent, brisk pace without a care in the world, I would choose to listen to the following five songs as part of that playlist. While I admit that I haven't driven as of yet (I still do not have my permit), I have, nevertheless, imagined driving to these songs, with the windows down and the speakers blaring.

1. Mötley Crüe: "Kickstart My Heart"

Mötley Crüe's music is not for the faint of heart, especially this song. "Kickstart My Heart" is wild, raw, loud, unsettling, and rude—all at the same time. In fact, most of Mötley Crüe's repertoire can be described by the aforementioned adjectives. This song, with its heavy guitar riffs and awesome solo, fill me with an unquenchable thirst for excitement and insatiable need for speed, which is why it is a perfect driving song.

2. Poison: "Nothin' But a Good Time"

Poison—an '80s hair metal band at its finest, and this song epitomizes the profound themes explored by many great hair bands of this great decade: primarily the theme which concerns the utter futility of a life without at least some fun. This song is a guaranteed pick-me-up whenever I feel down, and it is—in my opinion—one of the greatest rock anthems of all time, an instant classic.

3. Van Halen: "Panama"

Eddie Van Halen is considered one of the best guitarists of all time—small wonder if you've ever heard "Panama" or any other song by this legendary band. Like the other two songs that I have thus far discussed, "Panama" has an upbeat, catchy tune and a particular unbridled rawness about it that makes me, or anyone really, want to get up and just do something, whatever that something may be. For this reason, it has been included on my recently created playlist of great driving songs.

4. Judas Priest: "Living After Midnight"

Despite my best efforts, the lyrics to this song continue to remain hewn into the deepest recesses of my mind. I'm not complaining, however, for this one happens to be one of my favorites on this list. It begins with a great drum beat that is sure to make anyone tap along, and then hits you full force with an awesome wave of electric guitars and blinding metal fury. "Living After Midnight" is an essential part of this playlist.

5. Guns n' Roses: "Paradise City"

This song begins relatively mild and gentle enough, but it gradually builds to a heart-pounding climax worthy of this playlist. It is, I believe, impossible to listen to the entire song and not feel overwrought with excitement in the process.