Honda is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Civic by putting together the ultimate driving playlist

The Honda Civic is celebrating its 50th anniversary – and the makers of the iconic car have teamed up with a DJ to put together the ultimate driving playlist, featuring a track from every year since 1972.

From Alice Cooper’s rousing anthem “School’s Out,” classic 80’s and 90’s hits to this year’s #1 hit “Starlight” by Dave, the list – compiled by Magic Radio’s Home Run host Simon Phillips – reflects the changes in the Car music reflected in the course of time last half century.

The car company commissioned Simon to compile the list of standout songs after he polled 2,000 British drivers on their attitudes towards in-car entertainment.

Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automotive, said: “Since we launched the Honda Civic, the analogue radios and cassette decks may have evolved into touchscreens, but the principle remains the same. There are few better combinations than a road trip with a brilliant playlist.”

A quarter of people have created their own car playlist, and nearly half of respondents said listening to music in the car makes them feel better (48%), with four in 10 saying they feel more relaxed behind the wheel feel.

Almost a quarter (24 percent) said they felt more focused when music was playing in the car, and 22 percent said playing tunes while driving made them feel more energized.

Simon’s choices reflect the musical journey since the first Honda Civic hit the streets. Since its introduction in 1972, more than 27.5 million Civics have been sold in 170 countries.

He chose Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” for the car’s introductory year and moved through the decades to record top hits from Oasis with “Wonderwall” as well as contemporary hits from Calvin Harris, Rag’n’Bone Man and The Weeknd.

Simon – who also celebrated his own 50th birthday this month – said: “I think first and foremost a perfect driving route makes you, the car and the road one.

“It makes the traffic disappear and complements the driving experience, when this song plays it pulls you in and for that moment it’s the ultimate connection between you, your car and your music.

“For me, driving is one of the most personal areas and the driving environment can really affect our mood. A great driving song helps to mentally prepare for the upcoming drive and to savor a moment.”

The power of music and customizing your soundtrack is rooted in science, as cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Diana omigie confirmed.

dr Omigie said: “Research shows that listening to favorite artists and listening to music in general can increase perceptions of situational control and, in turn, enhance music’s effect on stress reduction.

“Previous studies on how individually selected music can create and maintain positive moods during a simulated driving test have provided interesting results. Subjective mood assessments have shown that music is successful in maintaining a positive mood in congested traffic and when navigating narrow lanes.”

In fact, 42 per cent of Brits say they adapt their driving playlist to the type of road they’re driving.

When asked about curating driving songs, nostalgia emerged as one of the most important ingredients for a strong playlist, with 48 percent of respondents saying they contain tracks that bring back memories.

A good selection of songs (70 percent) and enough tracks for a long journey (56 percent) were among the top requests.

The radio remains one of the most popular in-car devices for 80 per cent of UK drivers, while a surprising 35 per cent said they still listen to CDs and one in ten say the retro appeal of a cassette deck lingers.

Conducted via OnePoll, the study showed that a third of drivers use streaming to listen to their favorite media, while 24 percent use Aux and USB inputs.

Rebecca Adamson said: “In a time when we are surrounded by noise, taking to the streets with your favorite songs or hearing a new song on the radio for the first time is a timeless luxury.

“With the all-new Honda Civic e:HEV, due out later this year, special attention has been paid to hybrid powertrain and noise management to create a refined cabin.

“As people prepare for their holiday trips, we wanted to share some of our top tracks put together by Simon. Of course it is a personal choice and everyone will have their own favourites.”

A previous Honda survey of parent drivers found that 2,496 songs are played in a typical family car each year. The automobile company also conducted a poll of its own audience, which nominated songs for inclusion on the list.

The 50 Years of Magic playlist is available for listening Spotify.

50 Years of Civic Magic – The best car driver songs compiled by Magic Home Run host Simon Philips:

1972 Alice Cooper – School’s Out

1973 The Jackson 5 – Dance Machine

1974 Queen – Killer Queen

1975 Average White Band – Pick Up The Pieces

1976 Chicago – If You Leave Me Now

1977 Earth, Wind & Fire – Fantasy

1978 Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick

1979 The Specials – A Message for You, Rudy

1980 Pink Floyd – Another brick in the wall

1981 Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime

1982 Fantasy – just an illusion

1983 Herbie Hancock-Rockit

1984 Phew! wake me up before you go

1985 Tears For Fears – Everyone wants to rule the world

1986 Bruce Hornsby – The Way It Is

1987 Eric B & Rakim – Paid in Full – Seven Minutes of Madness – The Coldcut Remix

1988 Downtown – Great Fun

1989 Soul II Soul – Back to Life (Whatever You Want Me)

1990 Oleta Adams – Come Here

1991 Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy

1992 Arrested Development – People in Everyday Life

1993 Jamiroquai – Blow Your Mind

1994 Youssou N’Dour Feat Nen eh Cherry – 7 seconds

1995 Oasis – Wonderwall

1996 Faithless – insomnia

1997 Ultra Nate – Free

1998 Brandy & Monica – The boy is mine

1999 Moloko – Sing It Back

2000 Coldplay – Trouble

2001 David Gray – Sail Away

2002 Justin Timberlake – How I Love You

2003 Beyonce – Madly in Love

2004 Keane – Somewhere Only We Know

2005 Jennifer Lopez – Be Right

2006 Gnarls Barkley – Crazy

2007 Timbaland Feat Keri Hilson & DOE – The Way I Am

2008 Madonna feat Justin Timberlake & Timbaland – 4 minutes

2009 Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow

2010 Lady A – Need you now

2011 Bruno Mars – Grenade

2012 Emeli Sandé – Next to me

2013 Daft Punk – Lucky

2014 James Bay – Hold Back the River

2015 Hozier – Take Me To Church

2016 Drake Feat Wizkid & Kyla – A Dance

2017 Sam Smith – Goodbye Too Good

2018 Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Human

2019 Calvin Harris and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Giant

2020 The Weeknd – Blinding Lights

2021 Silk Sonic Feat Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak – Leave The Door Open

2022 Dave – Starlight

Top Driving Songs nominated by public social media voting

1972 Stevie Wonder – Superstition

1985 Prince – Raspberry beret

1992 House of Pain – Leaping Around

2002 Justin Timberlake – Scream Me A River

2011 Adele – Rolling in the Deep

2021 Elton John & Dua Lipa – Cold Heart