Soundtrack to your summer

Song: Future Islands – "Dream Of You And Me"
"I can't confess to you that I listened to Chris Rea on Christmas Day on my way to visit my in-laws, but when Amp took us (RA*W) to Lowlands back in 2014, I stumbled upon Future Islands at the Heineken/Grolsch tent. The album 'Singles' was on repeat during our road trip through New Zealand later that year, with the final track 'Dream of You and Me' as the hit."

Song: Polo & Pan – "Canopée"
"Hard to choose between millions of songs. So I went with a summer feel that's accessible to all."

Song: UB40 – "Kingston Town"
"We used to go to southern France with my parents, always spending hours in traffic jams. UB40 kept giving relaxing vibes, even when my mother gave the wrong directions due to using an analogue map. At least UB40 always had us covered with the good vibes!"

Song: Dire Straits – "Brothers in Arms"
"Between 2011 and 2015, I toured England with a band in sweaty vans. Every now and then we were also allowed to show up in the Netherlands to play for an audience that allowed our noise to reverberate over them with fresh reluctance. On tour, we always took Dire Straits CDs, especially 'Brothers in Arms' with its unnecessary guitar solos. Horrible dad rock, but we had the most fun."

Song: Radiohead – "Let Down"
"If I had to choose one out of all those options, I still think of Radiohead's 'Let Down'. Epic album, of course. The memories are many: from hills in England and beautiful villages (how fitting that music is then), to running along French roads in the Ardèche (puffing and supporting and sweating), to sitting in the sunset and hoping this moment doesn't pass, to driving through the interior of Spain and everyone always picking a song on the playlist to pass the time. For me, the song is the ultimate fusion of sadness and beauty, which Radiohead has the patent on as far as I'm concerned."

Song: Clarence Carter – "Strokin'"
"I lived in America, splitting my time between California and Texas. In Texas, we frequently went to Studebakers, a popular spot back then, especially for European pilots logging flying hours in the U.S. The atmosphere was straight out of "Top Gun." "Strokin'" by Clarence Carter was our go-to song during late-night drives along quiet, poorly lit roads lined with desert plants.

Picture this: a young woman (me) driving an old Buick or Ford filled with 4 or 5 men, the gear lever on the steering wheel, and a front bench seat covered in red faux leather. We'd sing along at the top of our voices, with the men answering the song's questions loudly. Why was I driving? I was the only one sober enough to do so!"

Song: Desireless – "Voyage Voyage"
"France... fresh croissants, savouring baguettes, and a daily cake from the patisserie (I always picked strawberry). Arguing in the backseat during traffic jams on the Route du Soleil, using pillowcases as makeshift shades against the heat (no air conditioning back then)—but who cared? We were heading to the sun! My first holiday love. The scents, colours, and beautiful language... it had to be a French 'chanson.' Bon voyage, everyone!"

Song: Moby – "Porcelain"
"After completing the mandatory military service in Israel, I, like many Israelis, worked for a year to save money for travel. I chose New York, where I worked as a bartender and babysitter. The family I babysat for gifted me with a mini-disc for my travels. I journeyed through South America, starting in Chile and visiting Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. Two albums defined this trip: "Outrospective" by Faithless and "Play" by Moby. Hitchhiking the Carretera Austral, with its breathtaking mountain views, "Porcelain" by Moby became my anthem — not for its lyrics, but for its melody that perfectly matched the whimsical scenery."

Song: Journey – "Don't Stop Believin'"
"You’ll probably hear this song from many others, but it has to be “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. There's no specific story behind it, just my love for road trips and the importance of sing-along music. This iconic track is known by almost everyone, making it perfect for road trips. Its happy, uplifting vibe and bit of storytelling add to its charm."

Song: The Human League – "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of - Dub Edit"
"Out of the 1,856,749 plays on Spotify, I lay claim to 823,819. Of those, I'd wager at least half occurred during our family holiday in France. Even through the crackling speakers of our trusty 2001 Peugeot 406, packed so tightly it tilted, the music did its magic. Each time, tiny hands beat against the ceiling in rhythm, and my then 2-year-old daughter would plead, "One more time!" This gem was our anthem on the Route de Soleil, playing on repeat. Despite the road stretching 800 kilometers, it felt too short. What a tune.
Pro tip: If you're heading that way this summer (or anywhere else, really), add this to your playlist. Or simply cue up the Clap hits list for easy listening. You won't regret it."

Song: Eelke Kleijn, "Self Control (12AU Cosmic Aeroplane Mix)" & Henk Westenbroek, "Even your name is beautiful"
"A great road trip is a journey that seems to last forever yet passes in a flash, thanks to the music and the camaraderie. The key to perfect road trip music lies in its diversity: 80's power ballads, cheesy boy bands, Italo disco, controversial artists, happy hardcore, TV show theme quizzes, and, of course, those unforgettable Dutch sing-alongs. Below, I'll highlight two tracks from different categories that epitomize the road trip experience:

For belting out at the top of your lungs: Henk Westenbroek - Even your name is beautiful No road trip is complete without singing along to classics. While "Piano Man," "Wannabe," "Viva Hollandia," or "Don't Stop Believin'" are all contenders, Henk Westenbroek earns his spot with this summer anthem. His unique style ensures that even those with modest voices can confidently belt out this feel-good tune. Tip: the more nasal, the better.

For gazing out the window: Eelke Kleijn - Self Control (12AU Cosmic Aeroplane Mix) Whether you're cruising through the majestic Swiss Alps, passing by deserted industrial zones, or witnessing the aftermath of a forest fire in Southern Europe, this track enhances every scene. Just gaze out the window and let yourself be swept away by this extended remix of an 80s Italo disco classic. Perhaps the sun will break through during these 10 minutes, or you'll simply imagine it, enveloped in a sense of ultimate freedom, euphoria, and holiday vibes."

Song: Prince, "Little Red Corvette"
"The first song that springs to mind is Prince's "Little Red Corvette," particularly the "Live in Syracuse" version. It's more about the energy it brings than any specific story.

Lately, what I've been doing is dedicating each trip to a single artist by listening to their entire discography, from their older albums to their newest ones. This way, every journey becomes associated with a different artist. For instance, New York is all about Frank Ocean, while Prince sets the mood for Tuscany"

These stories and songs not only bring back memories but also create new ones for your summer adventures. Dive into the sounds of summer with Amp.Amsterdam, and let the music take you back to your favourite summer moments.