25 Songs About Motorcycles, from Born to Be Wild to Bat Out of Hell

What is the most famous song about motorcycles?

"Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf is the most famous song about motorcycles, made legendary by the opening of the 1969 film Easy Rider. "Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri-Las is the classic 60s biker song, and "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf is the epic rock version.

50s and 60s songs about motorcycles

1. "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots", The Cheers: a 1955 Leiber and Stoller song about a reckless young rider.
2. "Leader of the Pack", The Shangri-Las: a girl whose parents disapprove of her biker boyfriend.
3. "Terry", Twinkle: a 1964 British hit about losing a boyfriend in a motorbike crash.
4. "Little Honda", The Hondells: a sunny song written by Brian Wilson.
5. "Motorcycle Song", Arlo Guthrie: a funny, rambling folk song.
6. "Harley Davidson", Brigitte Bardot: a French pop song written by Serge Gainsbourg.
7. "Born to Be Wild", Steppenwolf: the ultimate biker anthem.
8. "The Ballad of Easy Rider", Roger McGuinn: the gentle closing song of Easy Rider.

70s and 80s rock songs about motorcycles

9. "Motorcycle Mama", Sailcat: a 1972 hit about riding off with the one you love.
10. "Bad Motor Scooter", Montrose: Sammy Hagar on vocals, with a guitar that sounds like an engine.
11. "Ghost Rider", Suicide: a punk tribute to the comic book motorcycle hero.
12. "Bat Out of Hell", Meat Loaf: a ten-minute rock epic about a motorcycle crash.
13. "Motorcycle Man", Saxon: a British heavy metal song about life on two wheels.

Modern songs about motorcycles

14. "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", Richard Thompson: a folk ballad about an outlaw and his beloved bike.
15. "Motorbike", Leon Bridges: a soulful love song about escaping together on a bike.

Road songs bikers love

16. "Midnight Rider", The Allman Brothers Band: a Southern rock classic about staying on the run.
17. "Ramblin' Man", The Allman Brothers Band: a road song for long rides.
18. "Free Bird", Lynyrd Skynyrd: a fixture at every rally.
19. "Born to Run", Bruce Springsteen: the anthem of getting out of town.
20. "Highway to Hell", AC/DC: a hard rock song about life on the road.
21. "Bad to the Bone", George Thorogood and the Destroyers: the swagger behind a famous Harley scene in Terminator 2.
22. "Wanted Dead or Alive", Bon Jovi: rock stars as modern cowboys.
23. "Running Down a Dream", Tom Petty: a song made for an open highway.
24. "On the Road Again", Willie Nelson: a country favorite for any trip.
25. "Life Is a Highway", Tom Cochrane: a feel-good road anthem.

Why are there so many songs about motorcycles?

A motorcycle stands for freedom, rebellion and a little danger, which makes it perfect material for rock and roll. In the 50s, Marlon Brando in The Wild One made bikers a symbol of rebellion, and teenage tragedy songs like "Leader of the Pack" turned that image into hits. By the end of the 60s, Easy Rider had made the motorcycle the symbol of the open road.

The story behind Born to Be Wild

"Born to Be Wild" was written by Mars Bonfire and released by Steppenwolf in 1968. A year later, it played over the opening of Easy Rider as Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper rode their choppers across America, and the song has been the unofficial anthem of bikers ever since. It is often credited as one of the first songs to use the phrase heavy metal.

Songs from motorcycle movies

Motorcycles and movies have always gone together. The Wild One made the leather jacket famous in 1953, Easy Rider set its cross-country ride to "Born to Be Wild" and "The Ballad of Easy Rider", and Terminator 2 introduced its hero on a Harley to "Bad to the Bone". Put those three together for a perfect movie night for a rider.

Songs for a motorcycle rally

Rallies like Sturgis in South Dakota, held most summers since 1938, run on music. For a rally or a long group ride, mix the classics with the road anthems: start with "Born to Be Wild" and "Bad Motor Scooter", add "Midnight Rider" and "Free Bird" for the highway and finish with "Bat Out of Hell" at the campfire. For more songs for the road, see our road trip songs and songs about cars.

Songs for a biker's funeral

For a rider who has passed, a procession of bikes often accompanies the service. "Free Bird", "The Ballad of Easy Rider" and "Ramblin' Man" are common choices, and our country funeral songs have more ideas for a celebration of life.

Songs for a biker dad

For a dad who taught you to ride, "Born to Be Wild" and "Midnight Rider" make a fun Father's Day soundtrack. See our songs about fathers for more.

A song about their ride

A personalized song can celebrate the rider in your life: their name, their bike, the trips they have taken and the friends they ride with, in a rock, country or folk style. It makes a great birthday, retirement or Father's Day gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: rock, country, folk and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories from their rides and their bike.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give the rider in your life their own anthem: create a song and hear four previews for free.