So I started off with the idea of ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’, but rapidly realised that there were three episodes there, not one. So I excised the aircraft and the steam engines and ended up with just the automobiles.
I don’t really like cars. I’ve occasionally worked on an auto client, most recently Mazda. As with nearly all clients (with the exception of plumbing insurers), I end up getting quite interested in their product, and the Mazda history in Australia starts with three-wheelers and a post-war rapprochement. But I can never get past the fact that the USA failed to back electric cars from the outset to protect the interests of the oil barons, and, well, now look where we are.
My son Jamie likes F1. Can’t see it myself. I had a friend who came out from England whose main interest was driving round the Albert Park F1 track. Takes all sorts.
Some great car tracks though, many of which are on this episode. And others about streets, roads and motorways. And has there ever been a more stalkery opening verse than this one by M J Lenderman:
I still have the key
To your boyfriend’s SUV
I keep it by my bed
Like a picture of you and me
I’d be concerned.
Tracklist:
Pontiac 87, Protomartyr
SUV, M J Lenderman
Mashin’ on the motorway, D J Shadow
My red hot car, Squarepusher
Like a motorway, St Etienne
Car crash in G major, fanclubwallet
The English motorway system, Black Box Recorder
Eastern Ave, Flasher
Car song, Elastica
Survival car, Fountains of Wayne
King of the Holloway Road, Bas Jan
Car song, Madder Rose
Headlights fade, Buffalo Tom
Roads, Portishead