If you’re a bike lover, you’re in luck. This article rounds up 10 of the best songs about bicycles. From classic rock to country to indie pop, there’s a little something for everyone. So crank up the volume and enjoy the ride.
1. Queen – Bicycle Race (1978)
If you’re a fan of bikes, or just a fan of Queen, “Bicycle Race” is definitely a song for you. The song is sung from the perspective of someone who is clearly a big fan of bikes, and the lyrics are full of bike-related puns and references. The song was released in 1978 as part of the band’s album “Jazz” and became a moderate hit, reaching #24 on the UK Singles Chart. For example, the opening line is “I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike, I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like.” Queen’s “Bicycle Race” is a fun, upbeat song about, you guessed it, bicycles!
2. Tomorrow – My White Bicycle (1967)
2. Tomorrow – My White Bicycle (1967) is a song by the British rock band The Move. The song peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. It was written by lead singer Roy Wood and released as a single in May 1967.
3. Carlos Vives & Shakira – La Bicicleta (2018)
The song is about a man and a woman who are in love and ride their bicycles together. In 2018, Colombian singer Carlos Vives and Shakira, one of the most popular Latin American singers, released the song “La Bicicleta”. The song became very popular in Colombia and other Latin American countries.
4. Nat King Cole – Bicycle Built for Two (1963)
Cole’s version is a beautiful ballad that has been covered by many artists over the years. In 1963, Nat King Cole released a cover of “Bicycle Built for Two”, a song originally written in 1892. The song is about a man who wants to buy a bicycle for his sweetheart so they can ride together.
5. Hawkwind – Silver Machine (1972)
The song is an ode to the simple pleasure of bicycling, and it will surely resonate with any bike lover who has ever felt the joy of pedaling down a quiet country lane. Hawkwind’s “Silver Machine” is a song about a bicycle built for two. The lyrics tell the story of a man and woman who ride together on a tandem bicycle, enjoying the wind in their hair and the freedom of the open road.
6. Katie Melua – Nine Million Bicycles (2005)
Katie Melua’s “Nine Million Bicycles” is a song about the simple joy of riding a bicycle. The song’s lyrics are full of imagery and metaphors that evoke the feeling of being on a bicycle. The song is sure to bring a smile to any bicycle lover’s face.
7. Tom Waits – Broken Bicycles (1982)
His work is characterized by its gritty, bluesy sound and its often dark and humorous lyrics. Waits began his career in the early 1970s as a street musician and busker, before releasing his debut album, Closing Time, in 1973. Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has been described as one of the most distinctive and original artists of his generation. Since then, he has released 16 studio albums and won multiple Grammy Awards.
The lyrics make reference to a number of objects and activities associated with childhood, including broken bicycles, lost teeth, and scraped knees. “Broken Bicycles” is a song from Waits’ 1982 album, Swordfishtrombones. In spite of the song’s sad subject matter, there is something ultimately hopeful and uplifting about it, making it the perfect song for bike lovers everywhere. The song is a melancholy ode to a lost love, with Waits’ gruff vocals and the song’s simple, folksy instrumentation giving it a bittersweet feeling.
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Bicycle Song (2004)
The song is a fun, upbeat track that celebrates the simple joys of riding a bike. It’s the perfect song for any bike lover out there. In 2004, they released “Bicycle Song” as a single from their album, “By the Way”. Red Hot Chili Peppers are no strangers to writing songs about bikes.
9. Kraftwerk – Tour de France (1983)
Kraftwerk’s “Tour de France” is a song about the French bicycle race of the same name. The song was released as a single in 1983 and was a hit in several European countries. The song is notable for its use of electronic music and its catchy chorus.
10. David Rovics – The Bicycle Song (1996)
“The Bicycle Song” is a light-hearted tune about the joys of riding a bicycle. David Rovics is a singer-songwriter who has been described as “the musical voice of the progressive movement” in the United States. Rovics has written and recorded hundreds of songs, many of which are about social and political issues.
11. Mark Ronson, The Business Intl. – The Bike Song (2010)
The song is all about the simple joys of riding a bike, and it’s sure to put a smile on your face. Mark Ronson’s “The Bike Song” is a catchy, upbeat track that is perfect for any bike lover. Whether you’re a casual rider or a hardcore cyclist, this song is sure to get you pumped up for a ride.
12. Pink Floyd – Bike (1967)
The song has been described as “a charming little ditty” and “a whimsical ode to childhood”. Bike is a short and simple song that is based around the sound of a bicycle. Bike is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. The song was written by Syd Barrett and is featured on the band’s debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some popular songs about bicycles?
2. How do bicycles figure into songs?
3. What do bicycles symbolize in songs?
4. Are there any songs that mention specific brands of bicycles?
5. How do bicycles compare to other forms of transportation in songs?
1. Some popular songs about bicycles include “Bicycle Race” by Queen, “The Bike Song” by Mark Ronson, and “Bicycle” by Vampire Weekend.
2. Bicycles often symbolize freedom, childhood, and simplicity in songs.
3. Specific brands of bicycles are mentioned in some songs, such as Schwinn in “The Bike Song” and Raleigh in “Bicycle.”
4. Bicycles are often seen as more environmentally friendly and fun than other forms of transportation in songs.
Final thoughts
Bicycles have been around for centuries and have been mentioned in many songs throughout the years. Whether you’re a bike lover or not, these songs are sure to put a smile on your face. So, next time you’re out on a ride, be sure to listen to some of these tunes and enjoy the wind in your hair.