Bus trip playlists: The best songs to sing along with your group!
In times when everyone is focused on a screen, music becomes a simple solution to transform a bus ride into a memorable experience. Singing together brings laughter, builds connection, and allows the group to endure a long bus trip without even realizing that such a long time has passed. More than songs to sing on the bus, this guide shows ideas adapted for children, teenagers, and adults.
With our ideas, we're sure that your group will have a great time on the bus!
Songs for children's bus trips
When you're traveling with kids, the primary goal is to keep their little minds engaged. However, turning the bus trip into an opportunity to learn while having fun would be perfect, don't you think? When we thought of bus songs for kids, we focused on simple and interactive ones, so everyone could participate easily.
- Wheels on the Bus: This is a timeless classic that goes perfectly with our goal. Children love moving to its verses, so it is a great song to set a lively tone for the trip.
- If You're Happy and You Know It: This one is great to foster group participation. Your group of kids will be encouraged to interact all the time, so their energy will stay high for a long time.
- Old MacDonald Had a Farm: Another classic of school bus songs. It teaches animal sounds with repetitions that all kids can easily follow. That's great to keep them focused.
- Honorable mentions: You can also try The Alphabet Song and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
Expert tip: To keep the group engaged, make sure to use hand motions or even lyric sheets. These songs for children's bus trips are great to enhance their memory as well as their coordination.
Songs for teens and teen groups
The best advice here is to disregard those sayings about teenagers being difficult. The goal here is to use their interest to the trip's favor: our selection of bus songs for teens use plenty of pop culture and keeps everyone included in a positive way. They're upbeat, well-known, and simply great for group singalongs while you're on the road.
- The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift: Taken from Swift's very latest album, this glittery pop anthem will surely catch everyone's attention – even if it's just to make fun of the singer. Your teens will love the empowering lyrics and the catchy chorus.
- Obsessed – Olivia Rodrigo: The singer's latest single covers topics such as identity and self-worth while displaying raw, pop-punk energy. Everyone from Gen Z is listening to it on Tik Tok, which makes it an ideal bus song for teens.
- Venus Rising – Beyoncé: With her signature mix of pop and R&B, the singer explores power and femininity. Teens love this hit because of its bold production and of how easy it is to dance to it. They'll surely love it on the bus!
- Honorable mentions: Ghostlight, by Billie Eilish, and Boy is Yours, by Kylie Cantrall, are excellent options as well.
Expert tip: The best thing you can do is let your teenagers take turns choosing songs. By feeling included, they'll engage with the activity much more and help it flow smoothly.
Bus songs for adults
When it comes to adult groups, there are many reasons to embark in a bus trip. This is why we decided to subdivide this topic into the options you will see below; each one has its own characteristics and, of course, deserves their own selection of music to sing along.
Corporate bus songs
Here, good goals to pursue are boosting the team's morale and strengthening their bonds. In case they are leaving an intense meeting or event, singing on a bus can be a great way to unwind and prepare to enjoy their spare time. Here is our selection of songs for business travel:
- Happy – Pharrell Williams: While this song is definitely not new, it is still quite positive and appropriate for the corporate environment. It sets a cheerful tone which will be helpful for team outings.
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves: This is a classic feel-good track. It is great for morning departures, when people are still gathering energy for the day, or to relax and decompress on post-event rides.
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles: Relaxing and universally loved. This song is a great option in case your team needs to wind down after a meeting. Everyone will be able to sing along, even if only during the chorus.
- Honorable mentions: Can't Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake and Celebration – Kool & The Gang work very well too.
Expert tip: Just like with teenagers, it pays off to let adult travelers pick the song one at a time. Not only is it democratic, but also serves as a great icebreaker in case it is necessary.
Sports bus songs
Here, you are going to need music that pumps up the team and fosters bonding. This way, you will need sports bus songs that are catchy, yet energetic. Our selection of classics is widely popular and will be perfect for your team whether they are preparing for the match or are celebrating their latest victory.
- We Will Rock You – Queen: This timeless chant will always encourage people to start clapping. Everyone knows how to sing it, so it is a sure way to get the team engaged and build a connection among them.
- Eye of the Tiger – Survivor: Another classic, this time motivational and energizing. It will remind you of action movies and spur a sense of competition, which is great for the pre-match and even more pleasant for the celebration later.
- Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes: While this song is easy and simple, it manages to be powerful and magnetic as well. This classic of stadiums will surely get your team in the right mood before their upcoming match.
- Honorable mentions: Thunderstruck – AC/DC and Lose Yourself – Eminem are two other excellent options to play for your team during a bus ride.
Expert tip: It's better to gather everyone's picks beforehand and bring a complete playlist to the trip. This way, you won't let their energy drop by spending time to choose the next song. Also, it goes without saying that playing music through huge speakers is great for a sports team.
Wedding bus songs
Whether the guests are traveling to the venue or leaving it after the ceremony, they deserve to listen to calm, pleasant and pleasant music. The following songs for wedding bus ride will keep your celebration lively and energetic while preserving the elegance that characterizes a wedding.
- Marry You – Bruno Mars: Few songs are more appropriate for a wedding ceremony than this one. Besides, it is upbeat and engaging. It is simply perfect for the travel group to sing together with bridesmaids and groomsmen.
- Dancing Queen – ABBA: This one is timeless and joyful at the same time. It gets everyone moving and laughing, which is ideal for any moment of the big day. The couple will surely love the tone this song sets to the whole group.
- Celebration – Kool & The Gang: Awesome option if you want to stick with the classics. Whether you need a party-starter or something to enjoy the post-ceremony ride, this song will keep everyone cheerful and smiling.
- Honorable Mentions: I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas and Love on Top – Beyoncé will work beautifully at the wedding bus ride you're planning.
Expert tip: While the wedding ceremony is primarily romantic for the couple, it should be fun for everyone else. The best playlist will keep everyone moving and bonding while preserving a romantic atmosphere.
Family reunions and Mixed adult groups
This category is focused on multi-age groups, which are particularly common on family bus trips. In such cases, you cannot miss if you choose nostalgic songs that are easy to sing. Our selection will stick with the classics in order to set a familiar and pleasant tone to your trip.
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond: This song is universally loved for a reason – more than one, actually. As you can imagine, it is easy to sing and full of good vibes, which makes it great for a bus trip with all your relatives.
- Hey Jude – The Beatles: This song is much more emotional and communal. It is great for winding down or bonding moments, especially once the multi-age group is leaving the event they attended and is heading back home.
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston: While this song is definitely not new, it is so energetic and delightful that it will still be popular with the future generations. It can easily get everyone smiling on the bus trip.
- Honorable Mentions: Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison and Valerie – Amy Winehouse are two other options you should consider for the playlist you're building.
Expert tip: Since you're traveling with people of different ages, mixing it up goes a long way. Try songs of different genres and decades; we are sure that everyone on that bus will contribute to making the trip a memorable event itself.
Songs for long-distance and international bus trips
Since those trips are longer than usual, the best you can do in terms of selecting bus trip songs is to build a vibrant and energetic playlist. This way, travelers of all ages and cultures will be engaged, which makes any trip seem much shorter than they actually are.
- Country Roads – John Denver: This song is simply perfect for countryside views. It can be nostalgic and soothing at once, which is suitable for people who want to spend the bus trip thinking and/or meditating in a way.
- Imagine – John Lennon: This global anthem of peace is instantly recognizable by everyone, which makes it great for reflective moments. While it is not exactly energetic, it will surely keep travelers' minds working for the whole trip.
- Viva la Vida – Coldplay: Even though this song is considered cliché by many people, it is still modern and melodic. We have chosen it to this playlist because it's enjoyable and it appeals to wide audiences.
- Honorable Mentions: Let It Be – The Beatles and Africa – Toto are wonderful for long trips just like the other songs.
Expert tip: If you are traveling with people who come from other countries, it pays off to alternate those songs with others in their native language or, at least, from local artists. They will feel welcome and encouraged to participate in the activities.
How to plan a group singalong on the bus?
Now that you have learned so many suggestions of sing along travel songs, we have some final tips for you and your group to plan a wonderful trip. In short, they're about making the bus trip a pleasant moment for everyone who is participating, no matter what their age or preferences are.
- Use portable speakers to enjoy clear sound wherever you are. Larger ones are more fun, of course, but make sure it's appropriate to use them.
- Create a shared playlist on your streaming service or YouTube. This way, it'll be easier and faster to have other travelers add their musical picks.
- Take turns with the DJ duty so everyone gets a turn to express their preferences. As we saw above, this strategy manages to engage and motivate both teenagers and adults.
- Print lyric sheets or share them digitally depending on the group you have. They are great to encourage children to sing along, and can be a learning opportunity for teenagers.
- Encourage participation without any pressure, focused on having a good time. Make it clear that no one is competing and that the goal is to have fun on the bus ride.
Expert tip: Our former clients have mentioned that group singing not only boosts their mood but also reduces fatigue from spending so many hours on a vehicle. In other words, such a simple gesture that goes a long way.
Conclusion
From classic nursery rhymes to modern-day wedding anthems, we've seen that choosing the right bus trip songs makes every trip more fun and pleasant. Whether you're planning a school field trip, a corporate retreat for a whole team, or a family reunion, you'll see that music brings people together. Build your playlist, warm up those vocal cords, and let the road trip begin!
