The Perfect Playlist for Cruising on Your Harley

1. Clutch: Elephant Riders

Clutch is the band you hear when things get serious in shows like Sons of Anarchy, True Detective, and Walking Dead (not sure about that last one but it's at least 50/50). Elephant riding is what we do. On the face of it, Clutch sounds like a super heavy guitar band, the bass doubling the guitar on nearly every song amplifies that feeling. But Clutch is secretly a funk band that doesn't play funk. The frontman doesn't sing so much as chant new hard fairy tales. But it's the drummer who holds it all together, keeping his nutso chops under wraps most of the time because the groove must go on. Elephant Riders rolls along like a Big Twin at part throttle, always with more on tap.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

2. Fu Manchu: Mongoose

Keeping it heavy but moving a little more Left Coast, Fu Manchu blazes a song about what many of us rode before Harleys: Mongoose BMX bikes. Get your Cowbell here. The band liked this song so much they put it on two of their albums, 1999's Eatin' Dust and again on 2001's California Crossing.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

3. Alabama Thunderpussy: Three Stars

This is what John Bon Jovi would sound like if he grew up on the Allman Brothers, fronted a band of ex-cons, and got in bar fights every night. Fulton Hill is like no other Alabama Thunderpussy album and Three Stars is like no other Alabama Thunderpussy song. When you hear this you'll wonder where it was your whole life. Your bike, on the other hand, always knew this music. Need more convincing? One of the founding members is named Asechiah "Cleetus LeRoque" Bogden.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

4. COC: Stare Too Long

Corrosion of Conformity started out as a thrash-punk band but that all changed when Pepper Keenan joined. In a just world, Pepper Keenan would be a bazillionaire and his more famous peers would be playing nostalgia tours at county fairs. Keenan's voice is up there with the classic rock greats, his songwriting makes Guns and Roses' songs seem like boy band fluff, and he can hang with anyone on guitar. Maybe it's not getting Axl-Rose-famous that's kept him working and creating, also making it possible for us to see a COC show without dropping two days wages for the privilege. The album America's Volume Dealer is a bit of a red-headed stepchild, coming after their heaviest stuff and before their more accessible material. This black sheep album is the one you want for your rides, and Stare Too Long is the song you'll remember after they are over.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

5. The Pretty Reckless: Take Me Down

Taylor Momsen might not be able to kick your ass but that wouldn't keep her from trying if you crossed her. She went from acting in Gossip Girl to leading her band The Pretty Reckless, wherein she had choice words for a media that published rude photos of her onstage but wanted to censor her music videos. It may seem like her image is a little too rock-by-the-numbers but so is Keith Richards'; if you get too distracted by her image you're liable to miss out on the music. Almost all The Pretty Reckless' songs are feel-good rock-n-roll suitable for cruising to—we're going with Take Me Down, a tip of the hat to rock and blues history. The world will always have a place for heavy black eyeliner and real rockers.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

6. Motörhead: I'm the One to Sing the Blues

If all goes well, Momsen will end up being the reincarnation of Lemmy Kilmister from Motörhead. We're picking I'm the One to Sing the Blues because it starts with drums that explode like straight pipes. It's from 1991's essential album 1916. Add it up and what do you get? 1903.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

7. Danzig: She Rides

While we're on Hard Rock Legends it's a perfect time to cue up Glenn Danzig's eponymous band. She Rides has 'rides' in the title for those who like to hear the word 'ride' while riding. It also has a video that makes The Pretty Reckless' videos seem subtle by comparison. A fun game is to close your eyes and imagine how Elvis would sing Danzig songs. Uh huh, exactly the same way. Now you know the secret of Glenn Danzig.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

8. Gov't Mule: Soulshine

Do you ever miss Stevie Ray Vaughan? How his voice had so much soul and how no one else on earth could play guitar like him? Singer-songwriter-guitarist Warren Haynes from Gov't Mule can help fill that void in your life. Haynes recorded and toured with the Allman Brothers Band for many years and he put the Allman's song Soulshine on Gov't Mule's 2001 release The Deep End, Volume 1. It doesn't matter who wrote it though because when Haynes sings it you know he means every word.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

9. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

No way we would mention Stevie Ray and not include one of his songs. Picking a cover for our Gov't Mule song gives us a good excuse to ignore the many great Stevie Ray originals and go with his cover of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile for your cruising pleasure. This song takes you on a ride... be sure to return the favor.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

10. The Rolling Stones: Undercover of the Night

Undercover of the Night is the Rolling Stones before they started covering themselves. It's classic Stones, but also modern Stones in a way that surprised us even back in 1983. See if you can't harness a little bit of that forever young and surly feeling every time you throw a leg over your bike.

>>Join the conversation about songs to add to your Harley-Davidson playlist right here in HDForums.

For assistance with your maintenance and repair jobs, please visit our how-to section in the forum.