One hundred years ago, Popular Mechanics magazine predicted that “radio equipment for automobiles is not far away.” They were right. In 1922, Westinghouse installed one of its radios in a “Chevrolet for Campers” concept to the delight of the era’s media. A decade later, Chevrolet introduced factory-installed radios in its cars.
During the past century, Chevrolet and other automakers have introduced a number of technologies to advance in-car listening – record players in the 1950s, 8-track tapes in the 1960s, cassette tapes in the 1970s, compact discs in the 1980s and ‘90s, MP3 players in the 2000s and now streaming through today’s sophisticated multi-tasking infotainment systems.
For example, the award-winning Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system offers easy access to the radio and Bluetooth/USB/AUX-connected devices for additional listening options. It can also mirror smartphones using the Apple or Android operating systems, enabling hands-free, eyes-on-the-road phone calls and audio streaming.
“Today, Chevrolet customers have seemingly unlimited access to music on the go, and that’s great,” said Sean Poppitt, Director of Marketing and Communications, GM Southeast Asia. “With Chevrolet, our customers have a great way to play their favorite ‘road tunes.’”
Going forward, Chevrolet and GM expect to implement even more advanced solutions on future vehicles. Last year, GM announced plans to introduce new in-vehicle technology that will enhance the overall customer experience and make it easier than ever for customers to bring their digital lives into future connected vehicles.
GM’s research shows that many customers prefer an embedded technology experience in the vehicle, and increasingly expect seamless integration between the tech in their hands and the tech in their vehicle. Listening to customer feedback, GM will work with Google to bring new options for a voice assistant, embedded navigation and in-vehicle applications to compatible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles in regions around the world beginning in 2021. Broad deployment across all GM vehicle brands is expected to roll out in the years following.
Chevrolet in Songs
Not only was Chevrolet instrumental in bringing music into cars, many musicians have put “Chevrolet” (or “Chevy”) into songs. A study by Auto Nation in 2017 revealed that Chevrolet is the most mentioned automaker in music history. “Given Chevrolet’s long and storied history, it’s no surprise that people have sung about it more than other car brands. It shows how the brand is an important part of people’s lives,” Poppitt said.
Here are 100 classic pop, rock, rap and country songs for your Chevy playlist:
1) “24s” – T.I
2) “409” – The Beach Boys
3) “99 In the Shade” – Bon Jovi
4) “All the Best” – John Prine
5) “American Pie” – Don McLean
6) “Amy's Back in Austin” – Little Texas
7) “Ball and Chain” – Social Distortion
8) “Blue Jeans” – Silvertide
9) “Captain Jack” – Billy Joel
10) “Chattahoochee” – Alan Jackson
11) “Chevrolet” – ZZ Top
12) “Chevrolet Deluxe” – Bruce Springsteen
13) “Chevy Ridin' High” – Rick Ross ft. Dre
14) “Chevy Van” – Sammy Johns
15) “Chrome” – Trace Adkins
16) “Contact” – Citizen Cope
17) “Crazy About Her” – Rod Stewart
18) “Crocodile Rock” – Elton John
19) “Don't Forget to Remember Me” – Carrie Underwood
20) “Dr. Feelgood (Live)” – Motley Crue
21) “Drive South” – John Hiatt
22) “El Camino” – Ween
23) “El Tejano” – Cowboy Troy
24) “Everytime It Rains” – George Strait
25) “Fall in Love” – Kenny Chesney
26) “Family Reserve” – Lyle Lovett
27) “Fightin' Words” – Trace Adkins
28) “Girls with Guitars” – Wynonna Judd
29) “Go ‘Head” – Mystikal
30) “Go Lil' Camaro Go” – The Ramones
31) “Going Back to Cali” – LL Cool J
32) “Here I Am” – Lyle Lovett
33) “Here's to You” – Rascal Flatts
34) “How Bizarre” – OMC
35) “Hustlin’” – Rick Ross
36) “I Can Only Think of One” – Dierks Bentley
37) “I Go Back” – Kenny Chesney
38) “I Got You” – Dwight Yoakam
39) “I Learned That From You” – Sara Evans
40) “I Won All the Battles” – Tracy Lawrence
41) “I'll Be Your Johnny on the Spot” – Ween
42) “I'm Customized” – The Cramps
43) “I'm Just a Girl” – Deana Carter
44) “I've Got a Rock N' Roll Heart” – Eric Clapton
45) “If I Stay” – Tracy Byrd
46) “Jesse Went to War” – Marcy Playground
47) “Joe Rey” – Fountains of Wayne
48) “Keeping the Faith” – Billy Joel
49) “Less Than Zero” – Elvis Costello
50) “Let You Go” – The Clarks
51) “Little Red Corvette” – Prince
52) “Lost in the Flood (Live 2000)” – Bruce Springsteen
53) “Lucky 4 You (Tonight I'm Just Me)” – SheDaisy
54) “Make Me a Chevy” – The Promise Ring
55) “Metropolis” – Trace Adkins
56) “Miss Popularity” – Jordan Pruitt
57) “Movin’ Out (Anthony's Song)” – Billy Joel
58) “Mud on the Tires” – Brad Paisley
59) “Natural Beauty” – Neil Young
60) “Neutron Dance” – The Pointer Sisters
61) “Night Moves” – Bob Seger
62) “One Bud Wiser” – Gretchen Wilson
63) “Paint the Town Redneck” – J.M. Montgomery
64) “Pickin' Wildflowers” – Keith Anderson
65) “Picture Perfect” – Nelly Furtado
66) “Putting the Damage O,” – Tori Amos
67) “Racing In the Street” – Bruce Springsteen
68) “Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)” – Jim Croce
69) “Real Gone” – Sheryl Crow
70) “Renegade” – Tim McGraw
71) “Ridin' In My Chevy” – Snoop Dogg
72) “Riding With Private Malone” – David Ball
73) “Right Time of the Night” – Jennifer Warnes
74) “She's In Love With the Boy” – Trisha Yearwood
75) “Small Town Girl” – Kellie Pickler
76) “So, What’cha Want” – Beastie Boys
77) “Song of the South” – Alabama
78) “Still Love You” – Rod Stewart
79) “Superstar” – Sheryl Crow
80) “Suzy and Jeffrey” – Blondie
81) “Tannin Bed Song” – Shawn Mullins
82) “The Greeting Song” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
83) “Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man” – Rolling Stones
84) “Three Marlenas” – The Wallflowers
85) “Thunder Road” – Bruce Springsteen
86) “Thundering Hearts” – John Mellencamp
87) “Tim McGraw” – Taylor Swift
88) “Twentieth Century Fox” – 38 Special
89) “Unappreciated” – Cherish
90) “Uneasy Rider” – Charlie Daniels
91) “Union Sundown” – Bob Dylan
92) “Water” – The Who
93) “West Texas Highway” – Lyle Lovett
94) “When I Think About Leaving” – Kenny Chesney
95) “When You Close Your Eyes” – Night Ranger
96) “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?” – Paula Cole
97) “Why Do We Want What We Know We Can't Have?” – Reba McEntire
98) “You Never Know Just How Good You've Got It” – Tracy Byrd
99) “You Win My Love” – Shania Twain
100) “Young Blood” – Rickie Lee Jones