Compiled by Karen Green\nThe destination is decided, the plane tickets are purchased and the bags are packed. The only thing missing is the music. Whether the chosen mode of transportation is by plane or several hours in a car, music doesn't just fight boredom; it's an important part of any vacation experience.\nThe music playing in the background acts as a soundtrack for memories and also serves as a reminder of certain moments. With that in mind, a few Weekend staffers chipped in to put together the ultimate spring break playlist for those travelers who don't have the time to do it themselves. We also included a few songs to avoid.
John Barnett's Top Ten\n1. Jimmy Buffett --\n"Son of a Sailor"\nThis song I immediately play the second I see the ocean. Also the song I immediately play when I set foot aboard a charter boat and helm the wheel.
2. Crosby, Stills & Nash -- \n"Southern Cross"\nHeard a cover band play the hell out of this tune in an Irish bar in Saint Augustine, Fla. Now defines the laid-back, oceanfront lifestyle for me.
3. Led Zeppelin -- \n"D'yer Mak'er"\nOnce fell asleep on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Fla., with this song playing on repeat in my headphones. From that point on, mostly by way of sleep conditioning, it's been synonymous with spring break.
4. Bob Marley & the Wailers -- \n"Soul Rebel"\nChill out, man. Tune into Bob. Let the world slip away, in a politically charged sort of way.
5. The Beach Boys -- \n"Sloop John B"\nSure it's got my namesake (16 years before I was born), but no song other than my No. 1 makes me wish more that I was on a boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.
6. The Clash -- \n"Police & Thieves"\nDrive up and down any jam-packed beachside, resort town road with this gem blasting from your sound system. You might pick up some smart chicks/dudes.
7. Molly Hatchet -- \n"Dreams I'll Never See"\nThe single best driving and/or southern rock song ever. Enough said.
8. Def Leppard -- \n"Photograph"\nThe single best wet T-shirt contest song ever. Enough said as well.
9. Boston -- \n"Foreplay/Long Time"\nProvides that much-needed feeling of release and transition from a rough half-semester into a week of reckless hedonism.
10. The Grateful Dead -- \n"Terrapin Station, Pt. 1"\nThe penultimate 16-minute stoner opus. Beethoven for the bong. Sufficiently trippy enough for any late night or early morning in a motel room complete with strewn bottles and overflowing ashtrays.
Karen Green's top ten (and some guilty pleasures)\n1. Tom Petty -- "Free Fallin'"\nThe ultimate road trip song. With "Free Fallin'" playing loud, it's easy to unwind and forget everything but the road ahead.
2. ZZ Top -- "La Grange"\nAnother great road song, bumping this will make you feel like your old beater is a brand new red convertible. It'll also make you feel like you're headed somewhere cool, even if your destination is just your parents' house.
3. The Doors -- "Love Street"\nSomething about listening to The Doors makes me feel inebriated by osmosis. Whatever the reason, this song is perfect to play during the pre-party.
4. AC/DC -- "If You Want Blood (You Got it)"\nWhen you're sick of "You Shook Me All Night Long," this is an equally great bar song and not so overplayed.
5. Madonna -- "Like a Prayer"\nThe classic girl groove. I can't name a single female who doesn't know every word to this song. That makes it great for karaoke bars.
6. Michael Jackson -- \n"Billie Jean"\nYou can't go wrong with Michael. Current personal problems aside, "Billie Jean" is still a great song.
7. Kenny Loggins -- \n"Footloose"\nI know, I'm going to take a lot of heat for including this one, but just because Kevin Bacon dramatically rocked out to "Footloose" in an abandoned warehouse doesn't mean it's not a great dance tune.
8. Blues Traveler -- "Run Around"\nNothing says "I'm drunk" better than some air harmonica with Blues Traveler.
9. Paul Simon -- "Graceland"\nThere's something soothing and relaxing about Paul Simon's voice that suggests he's either a really nice guy or a serial killer. Regardless, listening to this song is a great step toward recovering from your trip on the way home.
10. Elton John -- "Tiny Dancer"\nAnother great wind-down song for the trip home. Something about this song makes everyone in the car shut up and stare out the window reflectively.
Doug Evans' best and worst\nBest songs\n1. Jimi Hendrix -- \n"Castles Made of Sand" \nProbably the most soothing Hendrix tune, it sets the stage for a week of sand frolicking and castle building.
2. Blue Oyster Cult --\n"Burnin' for You"\nWith reggae verses and a rocking chorus, this is one you can dance and head bang to.
3. Rolling Stones -- \n"Honky Tonk Woman" \nIf you want to pick up beach honies over the break, consult none other than Mick Jagger. He knows what women want to hear.
4. Led Zeppelin -- \n"D'yer M'aker"\nZeppelin can do anything, even make you feel like you're grooving on an island with this amazing number featuring Robert Plant's four-minute-long orgasm vocal track.
5. Dr. Dre -- \n"Keep Their Heads Ringing" \nThis track will make you feel cool even if your hotel sucks, you don't score all week and the only swimsuit you brought was a speedo (muu-muu for the ladies).
6. Beatles -- "Drive My Car" \nA good Beatles song, probably better for the road trip than on the beach, hence the title.
7. The Mamas and the Papas -- "California Dreamin'"\nAn oldie but a goodie, perfect vocal harmonies for the 38-hour drive to Cali.
8. Green Day -- \n"2000 Light Years Away" \nClassic Green Day. Makes you feel like a teenager again. A great song if you're stuck at home for break and your girl's away at the beach.
9. Beach Boys -- \n"Surfing USA"\nNot the best Beach Boys number, but if you bust this one out on a boom box at the beach, you'll be the coolest kid in town.
10. Less than Jake -- \n"Look What Happened"\nMaybe just because the band is from Florida, but even though this song's about wanting to leave town, it's a catchy tune full of energy nonetheless. \n \nWorst songs\n1. Nelly -- "Hot in Herre"\nYou kids may think Nelly is the perfect party music, but the reality is this song is terrible. It should not even be considered music.
2. Sheryl Crow -- \n"Soak up the Sun"\nIt may be catchy, but this song is far too overplayed to warrant any respect.
3. Marc Anthony -- \n"I Need to Know"\nDecent Latin rhythm but a stupid song. Most of you ladies likely will disagree, but you're wrong.
4. J-Kwon -- "Tipsy"\nSince when did whispering become the thing to do in a rap song? I can't hear you, J-Kwon.\n \n5. Britney Spears -- "Hit Me Baby One More Time"\nShe may be hot, but Britney just doesn't have much musical ability. Unless she's talking about getting her booty slapped, I don't want to hear this song again.
