I’ve Been Everywhere, Man

September 16, 2007

With the advent of the iPod, traveling has taken on new dimensions. Available at film kiosks and souvenir shacks at the base of many mountains, the shore of many lakes, and the gate of many castles are downloadable MP3 walking tours. Audio travel tips and visitor suggestions can be found online, or at libraries, or from city information centres.

But music is where the action is. Before tapes and CDs were available in cars, we had to while away our cross-country traveling hours between sporadic radio station signals by singing songs in the back seat of our parent’s ’59 Chevy.

Now the iPod puts you in total control of your adventure’s personal soundtrack. Walk the city streets of Argentina to the soundtrack of “Evita,” or hike through the Alps to the tunes of “The Sound of Music.”

All you need is Beatles while walking the docks in Liverpool, the Beach Boys while on a California beach, or Britney Spears while visiting a friend in rehab. With those iPod ear buds firmly in place, you can bike through Ireland to U2, Van Morrison, or Black 47. I’d opt for Enya. Anywhere.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’d like to hear “The Girl from Ipanema” while I’m actually in Rio, or “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo” while actually visiting the California city. How many of you have hummed the strains of “Leaving on a Jet Plane” while sitting in an airport?

You needn’t be so spot-on with musical themes. We drove up and over the Rockies from San Jose to Reno listening to the soundtrack of “Pulp Fiction.” Somehow, it worked. Still, songs like “Route 66,” “Hit the Road, Jack,” and “The City of New Orleans” unconsciously insinuate themselves into a traveler’s musical score.

Much music has been inspired by location. “Back in the USSR” may have been tongue-in-cheek when written, but even Russian President Vladimir Putin sang along when Paul McCartney played it in Red Square in 2003. McCartney’s “Mull of Kintyre” became the biggest hit of his career as it spoke so eloquently of traveling back home, a truly universal theme.

Then there’s “I’ve Been Everywhere,” which can be – and has been – re-written countless times to include the singer’s personal itinerary. Here’s one of my verses:

I’ve been to New York, Virginia, Texas, California,
Osaka, Manila, Hawaii, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Vancouver, Oregon, Tijuana,
Tallahassee, Tennessee, Massachusetts, DC,
Georgia, Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona,
Connecticut, Washington, Louisiana, Delaware

What’s your version?

About the Author: Music is my oxygen, and I currently breathe it in Vancouver, BC, where I create websites, write songs and stories, and produce videos for a living.

Written by Mugwump · Filed Under Editor