Top 12 Songs About Cycling
When it comes to songs about cycling, there are two distinct categories: the bleeding obvious (like Queen’s Bicycle Race) and the more subtle (who knew Judas Priest’s Freewheel Burning was a bike song, despite the obvious title?). What is perhaps interesting is that many of these songs were written because the artists were keen cyclists themselves. As always it’d be great if anyone has any other songs about cycling that you’d like to share please do so in the comments.
1. The Mixtures – The Pushbike Song (1970)
Not much to say as it’s pretty obvious! Covered by Mungo Jerry a few years ago, but The Mixtures version really stomps.
2. Luka Bloom – The Ride (2012)
Christy Moore’s Irish folk/rock singer brother, Luka Bloom, is a cycling fanatic – with a song to prove it.
3. Queen – Bicycle Race (1978)
Apparently inspired by a stage of the Tour de France, this is a cracking cycling tribute – with a pretty cool, if controversial, film clip with a bunch of naked chicks!
4. Kraftwerk – Tour de France (1984)
These guys loved cycling, although apparently drummer Wolfgang Flür left when he got sick of “racing bike tyres lying around in the studio and gear shifting devices from different companies, as well as black sticky and stinky racing clothes. I didn’t like it,”
5. Madness – Riding On My Bike (1982)
The B-side from ‘I Like Driving In My Car’, this is a tale of Lee Thompson pedaling for charity.
6. Beach Boys – It’s A Beautiful Day (1979)
The LA freeways jammed with bicycles instead of cars? Hmm, not so sure about that!
7. Mark Ronson – The Bike Song (2010)
The video is pretty good, and the song not bad either
8. Judas Priest – Freewheel Burning (1984)
These guys loved cycling and the song was after a descent of the legendary French mountain, the Galibier.
9. The Decemberists – The Apology Song (2003)
Not a song about riding, but a song about a bike that got stolen – a nice twist.
10. Pink Floyd – Bike (1967)
A bit strange – but hey, this is psychedelic-era Floyd!
11. John Cale – Bicycle (2003)
A bike bell does play big part in this experimental soundscape track.
12. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Bicycle Song (2002)
A cool bonus track from By The Way – a nice non-European ode to the bike – it truly is a great invention.