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Coffee Break

9:30 Coffee Break: Traffic Sounds

by Jim McGuinn and Sean McPherson

October 26, 2015

Herald Square traffic in New York City
Herald Square traffic in New York City
Matthias Rhomberg - CC BY 2.0

We recently received an email from listener Anita in Chanhassen, Minn., who writes, "Some songs have traffic noise in them, like honking horns or sirens. If I'm driving while these songs come on the air, I'll get startled and look around to see if someone's honking at me! My work shift starts at 10 a.m., so I'm often listening to the Coffee Break on my way to work. I thought it might be fun to feature songs that make people look around while they are driving — for all of us who are on the road during the Coffee Break."

Thanks for the suggestion, Anita. Something to help keep drivers alert and paying attention is certainly a fine idea, plus, it's an interesting production choice to include ambient sound in a song. Using Anita's idea, let's put together a playlist.

So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that include traffic noise, sirens, car horns, etc.? Send us your requests.

Songs Played


Kraftwerk "Autobahn"
The Lovin' Spoonful "Summer in the City"
Kendrick Lamar "i"
Roxy Music "Love Is the Drug"
The Kinks "Apeman"
The Clash "White Riot"
Billy Joel "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"

Do you deserve a Coffee Break? We at The Current's Morning Show think you do, and we want to bring treats from Black: Coffee and Waffle Bar to your workplace. Let us know why you'd like a Coffee Break.