No moving and storage day is complete without creating the perfect ‘Moving Mixtape.’  From the moment you begin packing right through to that first beer/glass of wine/meal in your new home, you can make things run just a little smoother if you’ve got your soundtrack playing. Here are a few songs that will get you in the mood to pack it up and get movin’ to your little mix!

Songs for Packing Before a Move

For those of you leaving because you can’t stand where you’re living, there is no better choice than ‘We Gotta Get Out of this Place’ by the Animals.  The song is about a couple living in ‘this dirty old part of the city.’ Or perhaps you’re finally moving away from your parents? Why not celebrate your independence with a burst of Billy Joel’s ‘Movin’ Out,’ or ‘Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks? For a more melancholy leaving song, how about ‘She’s Leaving’ by the Beatles? For something with a bit more grunt, try ‘Leaving Here’ by the Birds, (or better still the cover versions by The Who or Motorhead). Finally, there’s The Boss, with the classic Springsteen song  about wanting to move away in ‘Born To Run.’

Songs For Moving Across Town

Once you’re on your way, there is no better traveling song than ‘Going to California’ by Led Zeppelin. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading to Idaho, no other song captures the excitement, anticipation, and nervousness of moving somewhere new. Similarly, several songs capture the sense of moving to better places, from the ‘Movin’ on Up’ theme from The Jeffersons to the almighty ‘Movin’ On Up’ by Primal Scream. Try not to smile when you’re listening to that one sitting at the wheel of your moving van! Slightly off-topic, but worth tapping your feet to is ‘Moving and Grooving – Unplugged’ by Dr. Meaker. Similarly, if the sun is shining and the windows are down, why not kick back and listen to Bob Marley’s ‘Keep on Moving.’ If you want to rock out, slap on some Deep Purple ‘You Keep on Moving’ and for some brooding instrumental ‘moving music,’ there is nothing better than ‘Moving On’ by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis from the soundtrack to ‘The Assassination of Jesse James.’

Songs for the Road on a Long-Distance Move

Some classic road tunes without which any move is incomplete – ‘Hit the Road Jack’ by Ray Charles, ‘Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads, ‘Yellow Brick Road’ by Captain Beefheart, ‘Bright Side of the Road’ by Van Morrison, ‘Road Song’ by Flaming Wheels, ‘On the Road Again’ by Willie Nelson, ‘Road’ by Nick Drake and the all-time classic ‘On the Road Again’ by Canned Heat.

Songs for Your New Home

Once you’re in your new home, what better song to bless the new place than ‘Our House’ by Crosby Stills and Nash? Also, consider ‘Our House’ by Madness, the sugary ‘A House With Love in It’ by Nat King Cole, and a personal favorite that has nothing to do with moving but has the word ‘house’ in it, ‘Birdhouse in Your Soul’ by They Might Be Giants. Finally, what better tune to kick off your housewarming party than ‘Daft Punk Is Playing at My House’ by LCD Sound System?

So crank those speakers and get moving!

Categories: Moving Tips