Bohemian Rhapsody Voted Scotland’s Top Driving Song – New Research

“Is this just real life? Is this just fantasy?” … Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen – has been voted Scotland’s top driving song from the past 70 years in new research conducted by leading fuel brand JET in celebration of its platinum anniversary.Spanning eight decades from 1954 – the year JET was founded, the research, conducted online in July 2024, polled drivers in Scotland to reveal the nation’s favourite songs to drive to and the results did not disappoint!

Scotland’s top driving songs from the past 70 years (1954-2024)

1          Bohemian Rhapsody (released in 1975) – Queen (46%)

2=         Murder on the Dancefloor (2001, re-released in 2024) – Sophie Ellis-Bextor (32%)

2=         Jailhouse Rock (1957) – Elvis Presley (32%)

4           Uptown Funk (2014) – Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars (28%)

5=         Like a Prayer (1989) – Madonna (26%)

5=         Stand By Me (1962) – Ben E. King (26%)

7           La Bamba (1987) – Ritchie Valens (25%)

8=           Dancing Queen (1976) – Abba (24%)

8=           California Dreamin’ (1965) – The Mamas and The Papas (24%)

10        Candle in the Wind (1973) – Elton John (23%)

Much-loved anthem, Bohemian Rhapsody, was the runaway winner, taking almost half of the votes (46%) with rebound pop hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ by Sophie Ellis-Bextor making joint second place (32%) with ‘Jailhouse Rock’ by the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley.

‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars snagged 4^th place (28%) while eighties hit ‘Like a Prayer’ by pop icon ‘Madonna’ ranked in joint 5^th place with Ben E. King’s ‘Stand by Me’ (26%).

In 7^th place, 50s party starter ‘La Bamba’ (25%) by Ritchie Valens, was followed by Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ in joint 8^th spot alongside 60s hit ‘California Dreamin’ (24%) by The Mamas and The Papas ( 9^th) and ‘Candle in the Wind’ by Elton John (23%) in tenth.

UK drivers were then asked to pick their favourite song from each decade…

Top driving discs by decade:

1950s

1. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
2. Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
3. Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley & His Comets

1960s

1. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and The Papas
2. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
3. Heard It Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye

1970s

1. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
2. Dancing Queen – Abba
3. Heart of Glass – Blondie

1980s

1. Like a Prayer – Madonna
2. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
3. Karma Chameleon – Culture Club

1990s

1. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
2. Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
3. Believe – Cher

2000s

1. Umbrella – Rihanna ft Jay-Z
2. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
3. Can’t Get You Out of My Head – Kylie Minogue

2010s

1. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars

1= Happy – Pharrell Williams

• Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

2020s (so far)

1. Murder on the Dancefloor (re-release) – Sophie Ellis-Bextor
2. Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
3. As It Was – Harry Styles

Breaking down the driving anthem…

The research also took the opportunity to ask drivers what they think makes the perfect driving anthem, how it makes them feel and who gets to pick the tunes is finally laid to rest!

Over half (62%) would like ‘lyrics they can sing along to’ for their carpool karaoke sessions when asked what makes the perfect driving song. Others voted for characteristics including a ‘catchy chorus’ (13%), a ‘strong drumbeat’ (9%), an ‘iconic guitar riff’ (6%) and a good ‘drop’ (4%).

Taking a note from Pharrell’s book, over half of drivers say they feel ‘happy’ when listening to music while driving (56%). Feeling ‘Nostalgic’ (18%), ‘excited’ (7%), ‘calm’ (5%) and ‘optimistic’ (4%) were among the emotions that received votes respectively.

And when asked who should pick the music? Drivers confidently voted themselves in! In the top place, 60% think the driver should pick the tunes with ‘everyone else’ (25%) and the passenger (7%) among other options voted in.

What makes the perfect driving anthem?

1. Lyrics you can sing along to (62%)
2. A catchy chorus (13%)
3. A strong drumbeat (9%)
4. An iconic guitar riff (6%)
5. A drop (electronic music) (4%)

Top driving emotions when listening to music:

1. Happy (56%)
2. Nostalgic (18%)
3. Excited (7%)
4. Calm (5%)
5. Optimistic (4%)

Who gets to pick the music?

1. The driver (60%)
2. Everyone gets a turn (25%)
3. The passenger (7%)
4. The kids (5%)
5. The owner of the car (2%)

Jet Announces Platinum Celebrations

The research on driving music comes as leading fuel brand, JET, is celebrating its 70^th anniversary in the UK with a series of platinum-themed marketing activities – and the launch of an eye-catching retro logo to mark the occasion.

Digging deep into its rich history and heritage, JET will launch a ‘memory lane’ content series revealing stories from the dealers, staff and customers who have helped the fuel brand ‘Keep on Moving’ over the decades. Additional marketing activity will include a series of platinum Behind the Business dealer interviews, themed merchandise including totes and t-shirts, and filmed content for social media.

The 70^th celebrations will also see the return of the hugely popular Wheel Spins activity. Starring an ‘80s-style’ TV host wearing an on-brand crushed velvet yellow jacket, JET will launch a platinum special edition – visiting JET sites across the UK.  The series, which launched in 2023, drew over 1M combined engagement across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

‘JET Petroleum’ was founded in 1954 by Yorkshire businessman John Willy ‘Bill’ Roberts with just a single service station site and a modest, post-war marketing message: “only what you need and nothing more”. The name came from the column of letters on the licence plate of his first tanker: JET 855. Fast forward 70 years and JET has grown into a leading brand in the UK, with 307 sites.

“Our platinum anniversary is cause for celebration and provides the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the people behind a brand we are all proud to be a part of.” says Rupert Turner, MD UK Marketing, Phillips 66 Limited “From the very beginning JET has been a driver-first business – offering great customer service and value for money – and that ethos is unwavering. The JET journey is ongoing – and we look forward to a successful future.”