80s Playlist for the Kia Optima Hybrid

Thanks to Kia for letting us test drive the Optima Hybrid

Music is an essential part of our roadtrips. Ever since I started driving as a teenager, my music selections were deliberate and thoughful.  My friends and I were always armed with cassette tapes  of our favorite artists, or mixed-tapes we created for our journeys. We didn’t necessarily go anywhere, we just drove. Driving was a new-found freedom, and music was the soundtrack for every turn and adventure. The 80s is definitely my favorite decade for music. The best alternative and new-wave artists came were recording. Hair bands were in plentiful, and popular extended dance mixes took over dance floors at The Palace. This era also changed the way we viewed music. MTV videos were a new form of storytelling for musicians. Nowadays, the way I listen to music has evolved. I still have my cassette tapes, but I also listen to satellite radio. I’m always tuned into 80s on 8 or 1st Wave. So, with all the driving around I’ve done, it’s only natural that all that synthesized music has  rubbed off on my daughter! She is a fan, and I love that!

We recently test drove the Kia 2017 Optima Hybrid, and we were equipiped with our 80s playlist. Classic 80s tunes blend nicely with a new cutting edge car. The technology of the hybrids gives us more drive time on the road, and less time at the gas station. Our awesome stereo system blasts the songs we love to sing to over and over. The 80s was also a time of gas prices under a $1! We will never, ever see that again….but the Optima Hybrid did maximize our gas budget.

Whether we are headed on a day trip, weekend getaway, or cruising around the urban jungle, music complements the drive. Here are some of our favorite tunes to belt out to while in the

car this season.

A-HA  – Take On Me – who doesn’t love trying to reach that high note? Take meeeee ooooooonnnn!!!!!!

(alternative – The Sun Always Shines on TV)

Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Because we do?!

(alternative – Time After Time)

Toni Basil – Mickey – Oh Mickey,  you so fine – Who exactly is Mickey?

(does she have another song?)

AC – DC – For Those About To Rock – because they salute us.

(Alternative – Back In Black)

Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up – Never gonna give, never gonna give.

(Alternative – Together Forever)

Men Without Hats – Safety Dance – Look at your hands, but not while you are driving.

(They are definitely a one hit wonder. I saw them over the summer and they played this song twice during their 4-song set)

Dead or Alive – You Spin Me Round –right round, round, round

(Alternate – Lover Come Back to Me. Not an 80s hit but that’s the only other DOA song I now)

Michael Jackson – Beat It, or any MIchael Jackson song because he’s the King of Pop

Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams – Keep your head up, and move on.

(Alterative – Love is a Stranger)

Morrissey – How Soon Is Now – might as well introduce my daughter to emo music now.

(Alternative – Every Day is Like Sunday)

Queen – Another One Bites the Dust– I used to sing this to my daughter while changing her diaper.

(Alternative – Under Pressure)

Bon Jovi – Living on a Prayer – you know the words, Tommy used to work on the docks…

(Alternative – Wanted Dead or Alive)

Prince – Purple Rain – Sway those lighters!

(Alternative – Raspberry Beret)

Europe – The Final Countdown– they had great 80’s hair

(Alternative – Carrie)

Survivor – Eye Of the tiger – Risin’ up, straight to the top!!

(Alternative – Is this Love)

David Bowie – Let’s Dance – YOU LEFT US TOO SOON! RIP

(Alternative – Heroes, but any song will do)

The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go – so you gotta let me know!

(Alternative – Rock The Casbah)

Duran Duran – RIO – still dancing across the Rio Grande

(Alternative – Planet Earth)

The Go-Go’s – We’ve Got The Beat – one of the best female bands to come out of L.A.!

(Alternative – Our lips Are Sealed)

John Melloncamp – Jack & Diane – oh, let it rock! Let it roll!

(Alternative – Crumblin’ Down)

Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It – what do you wanna do with your life??

(Alterative – I Wanna Rock)

Any Journey song becauses they are the ultimate roadtrip band to listen to.

The 80s brings back fond memories and I get to relive them through my daughter. Who am I kidding, I’ve never stopped living the 80s. The best part of singing in the Optima – great acoustics, and no judgement of my vocal (in)abilities. What is your favorite 80s song to drive to?