No Southern soft rock. No Californian sunshine. Just pure, unfiltered Yorkshireness. Ideal for when you’re stuck behind a tractor on the A64.
Yorkshire roads deserve Yorkshire rhythms. Whether you’re driving through the Dales, stopped to let sheep pass near Skipton, or doing laps of Meadowhall's car park, this Spotify will strike chords of nostalgia and evolve your steering wheel into a drum kit.
1. Arctic Monkeys – Fake Tales of San Francisco
Made in: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Why it deserves track one: Besides Alex Turner’s obvious Yorkshire twang when he sings, he also writes tunes with truths. This one’s a stiff jab at all the try-hards.
Lyric of note: “You're not from New York City, you're from Rotherham.” A full takedown in one line. Iconic. If that isn’t Yorkshire energy, we don’t know what is.
Perfect for: Driving across the Humber Bridge in sideways rain, pretending it’s the Brooklyn Bridge in scorching sunshine.
2. The Housemartins – Happy Hour
Made in: Hull, East Yorkshire
Why it’s in the mix: Chirpy, catchy, and more Northern than a flat cap in a chippy. The Housemartins deliver peak pub energy without the sticky floors.
Lyric of note: “It’s happy hour again...” Unless you’re stuck on the M62 behind a caravan doing 22mph with 61 miles to go.
Perfect for: Staring out the window, trying to stay chipper while the sat nav cheerfully adds 14 minutes to your ETA every time you blink.
3. Corinne Bailey Rae – Put Your Records On
Made in: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Why it belongs: Breezy, soulful, and packed with that feel-good “it’s all gonna be reyt” energy much like Yorkshire pudding filled with gravy.
Lyric of note: “Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet...” Yeah, until it rained for the 14th straight day in July - but let’s not ruin the mood.
Perfect for: Sunday drives through the Dales like your life is a wellness ad.
4. The Beautiful South – Rotterdam (or Anywhere)
Made in: Hull, East Yorkshire
Why it made the grade: The irony of the band name is enough alone; however, this song is about being anywhere but where you started - basically the whole point of a road trip.
Lyric of note: “This could be Rotterdam or anywhere, Liverpool or Rome…” But really, it's the outskirts of Goole and you missed your exit 10 minutes ago.
Perfect for: Cruising past Hull Marina pretending you’re in a European arthouse film.
5. Embrace – Gravity
Made in: Brighouse, West Yorkshire
Why it’s the big one: It hit the charts and then hit us all right in the chest. It’s the unofficial soundtrack for about 75% of Northern break-ups since 2004.
Lyric of note: “Gravity… always pulls me back to you.” Same. Especially if "you" are a bacon sarnie and a quiet lay-by in the Moors.
Perfect for: Pretending you’re in a deep, introspective moment, even though you’re actually just thinking about what’s for dinner when you get home.
6. Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own
Made in: Hull, East Yorkshire
Why it’s here: Erm, Golden Buzzer moment and the most-watched audition in the show's history, amassing over 355 million views on YouTube.
Lyric of note: "I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her..." The official soundtrack to overthinking your entire love life while staring at your own reflection in the service station freezer door. It’s heartbreak, but make it British.
Perfect for: Those pitch-black drives across the Yorkshire moors where it’s just you, your feelings, and a weird smell coming from the back seat.
7. Shed Seven – Going for Gold
Made in: York, North Yorkshire
Why it's golden: Underrated Britpop royalty. Shed Seven are like your local pub - it’s not fancy but it feels like home.
Lyric of note: “You could be going for gold…” Or just going for a sausage roll. Same buzz.
Perfect for: Pretending your 1.2-litre hatchback is an F1 car and your life might still peak.
8. Mel B – Feels So Good
Made in: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Why we chose it: Scary Spice deserves a solo nod. Mel B optimises Yorkshire grit every time she speaks, yet this one’s got a surprisingly chill vibe. Ideal for reducing motorway moodiness.
Lyric of note: “Everything about you makes me feel so good…” What you sing to your car once you’ve put it in cruise control and escaped the calf-clutch ache.
Perfect for: Those post-service station stops when your bladder is empty and you’re armed with snacks.
9.Lucy Spraggan – Last Night (Beer Fear)
Made in: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Why we need it: Humour and honesty - the medicine of the North. A bit like Henderson’s Relish.
Lyric of note: "Last night I got a bit too drunk, I got my beer fear." Look, we've all been there. Staring at a kebab in the passenger seat and wondering if this is your life now.
Perfect for: That stage of life where "beer fear" isn't just a thing, it’s the thing.
10. Pulp – Common People
Made in: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Why it hits: Because nothing says Yorkshire quite like calling out posh folk slumming it. It's got class war, flat-pack furniture, and the kind of biting sarcasm Yorkshire folk adore.
Lyric of note: “She studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College...” We all know someone who did something similar, then ended up selling knock-off phone cases on Donny market.
Perfect for: Rolling into Barnsley with existential flair.
11. Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar On Me
Made in: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Why it’s here: Because nothing screams Yorkshire on tour like a glam rock banger from the steel city’s finest.
Lyric of note: "Do you take sugar? One lump or two?" If you're asking, it better be for your Yorkshire Tea. And Yorkshire Tea only.
Perfect for: Any moment you need to summon your inner rock god to intimidate that car that just undertook you.
12. YUNGBLUD – Parents
Made in: Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Why it made the cut: Because sometimes you need to let out a northern scream with eyeliner on. It’s got middle-finger energy and “you don’t get me, Mum” vibes - even if you are 34 and driving a leased EV with heated seats.
Lyric of note: "Parents ain't always right..." Unless they told you not to drive through Bradford ring road at 5pm. Then they were absolutely bang on.
Perfect for: Missing a turn and raging out loud that it was everyone else's fault.
13. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Made in: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Why it belongs: Equal parts heartbreak and hairspray, with just enough drama to make you miss the 80s like a divorced uncle misses his Ford Capri and shoulder pads.
Lyric of note: "Don’t you want me, baby?" Clingy? Maybe. Iconic? Absolutely. Like a pint of bitter at last orders - bold, emotional, and not going quietly.
Perfect for: That awkward inch-by-inch merge on the A61 where no one’s backing down. You will make eye contact, and you will win.
14. Kaiser Chiefs – Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Made in: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Why it was selected: Because you’ve already heard this song five times on Absolute Radio so far on this road trip - one more time won’t hurt.
Lyric of note: “Everyday I love you less and less…” Relatable if you're on your third motorway stretch and everything smells like petrol and sadness.
Perfect for: Those traffic light standoffs when you're too proud to let someone merge.
15. The Pigeon Detectives – Take Her Back
Made in: Rothwell, West Yorkshire
Why it works: It’s about going out, making bad decisions, and regretting nothing - basically a Saturday in Leeds.
Lyric of note: “Take her back, take her back, take her back to your place...” ...but don’t forget to stop for cheesy chips (with chip spice) first or she’ll never forgive you.
Perfect for: Fast-lane driving while your mate's trying to DJ off a cracked iPhone 8.
16. The Paddingtons - Alright in the Morning
Made in: Hull, East Yorkshire
Why it matters: A hangover anthem. Croaky vocals, fuzzy guitars, and that familiar dazed feeling when you wake up unsure where your shoes are. We’ve all been there.
Lyric of note: “Alright in the morning, when you’ve had time to forget…” A spiritual mantra for anyone who’s ever tried to piece together the night via blurry camera roll and mysterious receipts.
Perfect for: Sunday morning drives to Greggs, sunglasses on, regretting absolutely nothing — except that last Tizer in Spiders Night Club.
17. Chiedu Oraka – NHE (North Hull Estate)
Made in: Hull, East Yorkshire
Why it’s here: A track that captures the raw essence of Northern grit. Bringing the streets directly to your speakers.
Lyric of note: "From the NHE, ain't nobody gonna stop me." If you don’t feel like the king of your own street after hearing that, you might need to take a detour down a quieter road.
Perfect for: That stretch of road where the fog rolls in, and you're reminded that no matter where you go, the North stays with you.
18. The Cribs – Hey Scenesters!
Made in: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Why it fits: A snarling indie punch in the teeth to posers, pretenders, and anyone who spends £9 on oat milk lattes.
Lyric of note: “They aren’t what they seem, I’ve seen the way they act when they think you’re not looking…” Spoken like someone who’s stood in a Northern pub garden watching a lad order a rosé and pretend it was for his girlfriend.
Perfect for: Driving through posh villages shouting “How much?!” at the house prices.
19. John Newman – Love Me Again
Made in: Settle, North Yorkshire
Why it’s required: An absolute belter from the lad with a voice that sounds like it’s been aged in a pint of gravy. It’s dramatic, bold, and as Northern a soggy Sunday league match.
Lyric of note: “Can you love me again?” Yes - once we find a chippy that accepts card payments.
Perfect for: The bit of the road trip where you’re feeling on top of the world… despite having no clue where you’re going, zero signal and your fuel light flashing!
20. Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
Made in: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Why it’s the last song: You've battled the traffic, dodged the potholes, and arrived 4 minutes ahead of your ETA. Now it’s time to drop those windows down and remind everyone you survived.
Lyric of note: “I get knocked down, but I get up again…” Also applies to trying to find a parking spot in York on a Saturday.
Perfect for: That final stretch when you’ve finally reached your destination and you're basking in the glory of a road trip well done.
Bonus Track
Whether you're gunning it across the Dales or coasting down Scarborough seafront, this is the ultimate soundtrack from God’s county.
And if you're after a vehicle for your road trip, you know where to come.