Modern Music: The 'Best Song to Play in the Car' Bracket Challenge

There's a special magic to the perfect driving song. It's that track that comes on the radio or your road trip playlist, and you have no choice but to turn up the volume, roll down the windows, and sing along at the top of your lungs. The 'best song to play in the car' is a different category than just the 'best song.' It requires a certain energy, a killer chorus, and an almost physical pull that makes you want to tap the steering wheel. This music debate is a classic, pitting genres and generations against each other in a battle for the ultimate car music champion. At Brackets, a party game for settling debates, we're ready to hit the road.

To find the true king of the road, we need a bracket. A simple playlist isn't enough. We need to force some tough choices. We've seeded an 8-song bracket with iconic driving anthems from different eras.

The Contenders: The Ultimate Road Trip Playlist

Our contenders include 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey, the quintessential sing-along song. Then there's 'Mr. Brightside' by The Killers, a modern anthem of frantic energy. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen is a six-minute epic. 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' by Whitney Houston is pure joy. 'Wonderwall' by Oasis is the ultimate 90s sing-along. 'Go Your Own Way' by Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate breakup-on-the-road song. 'Hey Ya!' by OutKast is a burst of pure, infectious energy. And 'Since U Been Gone' by Kelly Clarkson is a pop-punk power anthem.

The Matchups

Let's see how this music debate plays out. In the first round, in a battle of 80s power, 'Don't Stop Believin'' likely has the edge over 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody.' The raw energy of 'Mr. Brightside' probably pulls it ahead of the more laid-back 'Wonderwall.' The epic scope of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' takes the win over 'Go Your Own Way.' And in a pop showdown, 'Hey Ya!'s unique funk might just triumph over Kelly Clarkson's pop-punk perfection. This leaves us with semi-finals of 'Don't Stop Believin'' vs. 'Mr. Brightside' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' vs. 'Hey Ya!'. The first matchup is a battle of pure, lung-busting choruses. 'Don't Stop Believin'' is a cultural institution and advances. The second matchup is a clash of moods. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is an event, and its multi-part journey gives it the win.

The Final:

We're left with a final for the ages: 'Don't Stop Believin'' vs. 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Both are titans of the sing-along. 'Don't Stop Believin'' has a more straightforward, universal message of hope. But 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is an experience. It has drama, comedy, and a rock-out section. For its sheer, unparalleled ambition and the fun of trying to sing all the different parts, we have to give the crown to 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'

This is a music debate that could go a thousand different ways. What's on your road trip playlist? What's your go-to song to sing to in the car? The only way to find out what your friends think is to put it to a vote. Use the brackets.games app to create your own 'Best Driving Song' bracket and find your group's ultimate anthem.