When I think of bicycle songs, Queen's "Bicycle Race" instantly comes to mind. After that, it make take some time to think of more.... but there's actually quite a few nice odes to the bike. In fact, this may be my favorite mix tape to date - there's some real goodies in here. Tomorrow (Steve Howe's psychedelic band before Yes) recorded a particularly acid fueled ditty called "My White Bicycle" which was later covered by the gravel throated band Nazareth.
The early synth band from Germany, Kraftwerk, put out a bicycle tune called "Tour De France". I must admit, I've never been much of a Kraftwerk fan - they remind me of Mike Myer's "Sprockets" skit on SNL. Although, I can respect their gigantic influence upon later synth-pop groups like New Order and Depeche Mode.
Even Englebert Humperdinck makes an appearance on this bicycle compilation. His music hasn't stood up well over time here in the States; however, the dude can sing. He was also quite the ladies man. Supposedly, he ranks up there with the all time leaders of lay: Wilt Chamberlain, Gene Simmons and Bill Wyman.
Pink Floyd's "Bike" deserves inclusion as well. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I much prefer the LSD driven psychedelia of the Syd Barret days over the somber and serious "arteest" days of Waters/Gilmore. Dark Side of the Moon's got nothing on "Lucifer Sam", "Arnold Lane", and "See Emily Play".
Well, I've rambled long enough. Here's your track list...
Tomorrow - My White Bicycle
The Archies - Bicycles, Roller Skates and You
Bruce Cockburn - Bicycle Trip
Jah Thomas - Bicycle Skank
Early B - Bicycle Bicycle
Queen - Bicycle Race
The Orange Bicycle - Trip On An Orange Bicycle
The Mixtures - The Pushbike Song
Doc Watson & Merle Watson - The Preacher And The Bicycle
Pete & Tina - Bicycle Baby
Swallows - Bicycle Tillie
Kes Wyndham - Broken Bicycle
Kraftwerk - Tour De France
Engelbert Humperdinck - Les Bicyclettes De Belsize
Fats Domino - Rockin' Bicycle
Madness - Riding on My Bike
Nat King Cole - On A Bicycle Built For Two
Nazareth - My White Bicycle
Pink Floyd - Bike
Erskine Hawkins - Bicycle Bounce
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And here's a few songs from the mix...
The Mixtures - The Pushbike Song
Early B - Bicycle, Bicycle
Kes Wyndham - Broken Bicycle
