Truckers depend on the likes of Luke Combs, Eminem, Metallica, Lady Gaga and even Arctic Monkeys to keep them alert, keep lonliness at bay and even quell feelings of road rage.
Those are just a few of the findings of a recent survey of professional drivers about their tastes in music.
JW Surety Bonds analyzed hundreds of Spotify playlists tagged with “trucking” and “truckers,” then surveyed 377 professional drivers about how music affects their mood, focus, and well-being.
They found:
- Drive-By Truckers, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs are the top artists on Spotify trucker playlists
- The most frequent songs on trucker Spotify playlists are “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed, “Convoy” by C.W. McCall, and “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen
- Nearly 39% listen to music to manage loneliness on the road.
- Truckers who listen to metal were the least likely to say they often feel lonely on the road
- Truckers who listen to electronic dance music were the least likely to report frequently experiencing road rage
- 1 in 10 truckers say metal music helps keep them the most alert while driving
Country was the most prevalent genre across trucker playlists, followed closely by rock. Hip-hop/rap, metal, and pop rounded out the top five, showing the range of musical preferences among drivers.
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The most common artists on trucker playlists were Drive-By Truckers, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs, each representing a different shade of country and Southern rock. By genre:
- Morgan Wallen led in country
- Drive-By Truckers topped rock
- Eminem led hip-hop/rap
- Metallica was the most common metal artist
- Lady Gaga represented pop
- Avicii topped EDM
- Arctic Monkeys led in indie
But, why are truckers listening to music while driving? The reasons are many and varied. The survey found:
- 39% said it’s to combat lonliness
- 37% said music helps beep boredom at bay
- 29% said it helps fend off aggression/road rage
- 28% said they listen to tamp down feelings of anxiety and nervousness
- 27% said music is a hedge against fatigue and drowsiness
But not all listening is tied to music, according to the survey.
Podcasts also play a growing role in truckers’ routines. These long-form stories and investigative shows provide company during quiet stretches, offering both distraction and companionship.
Top podcasts truckers listen to include
- 48 Hours
- MrBallen Podcast
- Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
- 20/20
- Morbid
Use the comments section below to tell us who you’re listening to and why.
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