Nothing captures the thrill of the open road quite like great songs about motorcycles. From roaring engines to the freedom of the ride, these tracks celebrate everything from rebellion to self-discovery. Whether you’re into rock, country, or even pop, these songs paint vivid pictures of life on two wheels.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Motorcycles Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Motorcycles
1. “Born to Be Wild” – Steppenwolf
Lyric Sample: “Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway.”
This classic rock anthem is the ultimate biker song, synonymous with the spirit of freedom and the open road. Featured in Easy Rider, it set the standard for every song about riding a motorcycle that followed.
2. “Motorcycle Emptiness” – Manic Street Preachers
Lyric Sample: “Under neon loneliness, motorcycle emptiness.”
“Motorcycle Emptiness” blends melancholic lyrics with soaring guitar work to paint a picture of youthful rebellion. It’s a poetic take on the loneliness that can accompany the pursuit of freedom.
3. “Leader of the Pack” – The Shangri-Las
Lyric Sample: “The leader of the pack, now he’s gone.”
A tragic love story set against the backdrop of motorcycle culture, this ‘60s hit tells the tale of a doomed biker romance. Its dramatic spoken-word verses and revving engines make it an unforgettable entry in songs about motorcycle riding.
4. “Panheads Forever” – David Allan Coe
Lyric Sample: “She’s a high flyin’ lady, she takes me where I want to be.”
“Panheads Forever” is a love letter to his trusty Harley-Davidson Panhead, celebrating the deep bond between a rider and his machine. With its heartfelt lyrics and outlaw country style, this song perfectly embodies the loyalty and passion that bikers have for their motorcycles.
5. “Harleys in Hawaii” – Katy Perry
Lyric Sample: “You and I, ridin’ Harleys in Hawaii, I’m on the back, I’m holdin’ tight.”
“Harleys in Hawaii” is a dreamy, sun-soaked anthem about love, adventure, and the thrill of riding through paradise. With its smooth, tropical vibe and carefree lyrics, this song perfectly captures the romantic freedom of cruising down scenic roads on a motorcycle.
6. “Bat Out of Hell” – Meat Loaf
Lyric Sample: “Like a bat out of hell, I’ll be gone when the morning comes.”
This epic rock opera captures the reckless energy of speeding down the highway. Its dramatic storytelling and soaring instrumentals make it a must-have for any biker playlist.
7. “Motorcycle Drive By” – Third Eye Blind
Lyric Sample: “Visions of you on a motorcycle drive by, the cigarette ash flies in your eyes.”
More than just a song about motorcycles, “Motorcycle Drive By” is an emotional journey of longing, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Third Eye Blind uses the motorcycle as a metaphor for fleeting freedom and the turbulence of young love, pairing vivid imagery with a raw, driving melody.
8. “Got Myself a Harley” – Jay Gavin
Lyric Sample: “I got myself a Harley now and my days are all filled up.”
Jay Gavin captures the pure joy and lifestyle of owning a Harley, celebrating the freedom, camaraderie, and dedication that come with life on two wheels. With its upbeat energy and authentic storytelling, this song is a true anthem for anyone who lives to ride.
9. “Little Honda” – The Beach Boys
Lyric Sample: “First gear, it’s all right. Second gear, I lean right.”
More about scooters than motorcycles, this Beach Boys hit still captures the thrill of the ride. Its upbeat energy makes it a fun addition to any road trip playlist.
10. “Motorcycle Man” – Saxon
Lyric Sample: “Do not stop me, do not try, ‘Cause I’m a motorcycle man, I get my kicks just when I can.”
A high-octane song from British heavy metal legends Saxon, “Motorcycle Man” roars with speed, rebellion, and adrenaline. Packed with blistering guitar solos and pounding drums, this song perfectly captures the thrill of the ride and the fearless spirit of bikers everywhere.
11. “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” – Richard Thompson
Lyric Sample: “Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme.”
This folk ballad tells a gripping tale of love, crime, and devotion centered around a legendary motorcycle. The intricate storytelling makes it one of the most compelling songs about motorcycles ever written.
12. “Motorcycle Irene” – Moby Grape
Lyric Sample: “Dirty on her Harley, but her nails are clean.”
This bluesy, rebellious track tells the tale of a wild biker woman who lives fast and free. With gritty storytelling and raw energy, Moby Grape captures the danger and allure of life on the open road.
13. “Harley Davidson Blues” – Canned Heat
Lyric Sample: “I’ve got them broke down Harley Davidson blues.”
“Harley Davidson Blues” captures the struggle of keeping an old Harley running, blending humor with the frustration of a biker’s worst nightmare: a breakdown on the open road.
14. “Motorcycle Song” – Arlo Guthrie
Lyric Sample: “I just wanna ride on my motorsickle.”
Arlo Guthrie’s lighthearted folk tune is a quirky and humorous ode to the simple joy of riding, proving that sometimes, all a person really needs is a motorcycle.
15. “Roll Me Away” – Bob Seger
Lyric Sample: “I could go east, I could go west, it was all up to me to decide.”
This road anthem perfectly captures the feeling of searching for something beyond the horizon. The song’s narrative makes it one of the most soulful songs about motorcycle riding.
16. “Ride to Live, Live to Ride” – Twisted Sister
Lyric Sample: “Hard roads and endless lines, flow through his veins.”
This high-energy anthem captures the rush of the open road, where speed and freedom define a rider’s existence. Twisted Sister delivers a powerful message about embracing life with intensity, making this a perfect song for those who live for the ride.
17. “Harley Motor Bike” – Deano
Lyric Sample: “Find your freedom and set it free.”
This song is a celebration of the Harley lifestyle, from the roar of the engine to the chrome gleaming in the twilight. With its rockabilly energy and love for the open road, it’s a perfect anthem for anyone who lives to ride.
18. “Motorcycle Mama” – Neil Young
Lyric Sample: “Motorcycle Mama, won’t you lay your big spike down?”
Neil Young’s country-rock fusion creates a laid-back biker anthem. The groove and playful lyrics make it a unique addition to any ride playlist.
19. “Bad Motor Scooter” – Montrose
Lyric Sample: “Get on your bad motor scooter and ride.”
This high-energy rock song captures the thrill of hitting the road on two wheels, fueled by a rebellious spirit and a need for speed. With screaming guitars and a driving beat, it’s a perfect soundtrack for riders looking to escape and chase the night.
20. “House of Blue Light” – Billy Joel
Lyric Sample: “Then we’ll ride Harley Davidsons at night.”
This bluesy tune captures the essence of working-class escape, where hard labor during the day turns into wild rides and neon-lit nights. The song blends the freedom of motorcycles with the allure of a legendary roadhouse, making it a perfect anthem for riders seeking adventure.
21. “Motorbikin’” – Chris Spedding
Lyric Sample: “Movin’ on the queens’ highway, lookin’ like a streak of lightnin’.”
Chris Spedding’s “Motorbikin’” is a song that celebrates the pure thrill of tearing down the highway on two wheels. The raw guitar riffs and catchy chorus make it a perfect track for anyone who loves the open road and the freedom that comes with motorcycle riding.
22. “Wanted Dead or Alive” – Bon Jovi
Lyric Sample: “I’m a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride.”
This rock classic from Slippery When Wet compares the life of a touring musician to that of a lone rider on a motorcycle. The song’s anthemic quality and rebellious spirit have made it an enduring favorite among bikers and road warriors alike.
23. “Motorcycle Ride” – Rancid
Lyric Sample: “A fifth of bourbon and a motorcycle ride.”
This punk-fueled track paints a raw, unfiltered picture of rebellion and self-destruction on two wheels. With its fast-paced energy and gritty storytelling, it embodies the reckless freedom and escape that motorcycles often represent in rock music.
24. “Ghost Rider” – Rush
Lyric Sample: “Keep on riding north and west, haunting that wilderness road.”
This song encapsulates the lonely, almost spiritual journey of a rider searching for meaning in the vast expanse of open highways. With poetic imagery and a driving rhythm, it paints the picture of a restless soul chasing freedom through the endless road ahead.
25. “Motorcycle” – Colter Wall
Lyric Sample: “Well, I figure I’ll buy me a motorcycle, wrap her pretty little frame around a telephone pole.”
With dark, introspective lyrics and a somber folk melody, this song captures a reckless, almost self-destructive longing for escape. Colter Wall’s deep, haunting vocals paint a picture of a restless soul seeking freedom, or an end, on the back of a motorcycle.
26. “A Harley Someday” – David Allan Coe
Lyric Sample: “Right now I’m just learning to ride, man, but I’ll have a Harley someday.”
This song tells the humorous yet relatable story of a wannabe biker dreaming of owning a real Harley. Coe captures the struggle of a weekend warrior balancing a buttoned-up work life with the longing to embrace the full biker lifestyle.
27. “Hell Bent for Leather” – Judas Priest
Lyric Sample: “There’s many who tried to prove that they’re faster, but they didn’t last and they died as they tried.”
A high-speed, adrenaline-fueled anthem, “Hell Bent for Leather” embodies the rebellious, risk-taking spirit of bikers. With its pounding drums, blistering guitar riffs, and Rob Halford’s soaring vocals, this heavy metal classic is great for those who live for speed and freedom on the open road.
28. “Ezy Ryder” – Jimi Hendrix
Lyric Sample: “There goes Ezy, Ezy Ryder, ridin’ down the highway of desire.”
Fueled by Hendrix’s signature psychedelic guitar work and groovy rhythm, “Ezy Ryder” captures the spirit of a freewheeling drifter, always chasing the next horizon. The song’s energy and imagery perfectly align with the untamed freedom of motorcycle culture.
29. “Unknown Legend” – Neil Young
Lyric Sample: “Somewhere on a desert highway, she rides a Harley-Davidson.”
This heartfelt ballad paints a vivid picture of a mysterious woman riding her Harley across the open road. With its wistful lyrics and steady rhythm, it perfectly captures the romance and freedom of motorcycle travel.
Conclusion
Songs about motorcycles are more than just music. They’re anthems of freedom, rebellion, and adventure. Whether they tell a story, celebrate the thrill of riding, or simply embody the energy of the open road, these tracks resonate with bikers and dreamers alike.
From the rebellious roar of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” to the heartfelt storytelling of Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” these songs span genres and decades, creating the perfect soundtrack for anyone who loves life on two wheels.
Whether you’re tearing up the highway or just dreaming of the ride, this list captures the thrill, danger, and freedom of life on the road.
If you love themed lists, be sure to check out Songs About Ghosts and Songs About Time for more great music recommendations.