Even when the weather turns brisk, you can still pull your bicycle out of the garage and take it for a late afternoon spin through the park. When the urge to ride hits, slip on your bicycle helmet , let your mind shift into low gear and listen to these two-wheeled tunes on your iPod:
“Couldn’t We Ride” (Performed by Kermit and Miss Piggy)
Featured in the 1981 movie The Great Muppet Caper, Kermit and Miss Piggy sing this song about the joys of cycling while they take a ride through the park. Muppet creator Jim Henson and his son Brian were involved in the intricate mechanics involved in making two of Henson’s creations appear to ride bicycles.
“Santa’s Workshop” (Performed by Schwinntonation)
A Chicago group named Schwinntonation isn’t happy simply to write songs about bicycles. Using their two-wheelers, the group turns the sounds made by bicycles into musical tracks like “Santa’s Workshop” and “Tuneup for the Big Race.” The percussion effect created by their bicycles is oddly hypnotic.
“Bicycle Safety” (Performed by John Buchanan)
One track from his album Safety Songs, John Buchanan sings about the basics of bicycle safety to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.” Even the most experienced riders can always use a reminder about the basics.
“Broken Bicycles” (Performed by Tom Waits)
In this song from the soundtrack album to Francis Ford Coppola’s One from the Heart, Tom Waits sings about a love relationship that feels like an old bicycle. The relationship, like the bike, may be old, rusty and broken, but he simply doesn’t have the heart to throw it away.
“The Bicycle Song” (Performed by Uncle Andy)
A cautionary tale about cycling, Uncle Andy sings about the potential dangers that can occur if your ride your bicycle down a hill at 90 miles per hour. Suffice it to say, the singer goes to pieces—and so does his bicycle.
“Bicycle Race” (Performed by Queen)
The most universally recognized anthem about cycling, Queen performs this tune about a young man who wants nothing more out of life than to get on his bicycle and ride.
Resources:
http://bicycleuniverse.info/stuff/music.html
http://schwinntonation.googlepages.com/
http://www.songsforteaching.com/johnbuchanan/bicyclesafety.htm
