The Soundtrack of Club Sports: How Music Turned Long Drives into Lifelong Memories

One of the often-overlooked side effects of club sports is the sheer amount of time spent in the car. Tournament weekends, midweek practices, away games—it all adds up to countless hours on the road with your student-athlete. And while it can be tempting to fill that time with critiques of on-field performance, I’ve found a better way to turn those drives into something more meaningful.

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Silence, Sound, and the Teenage Years

As our kids grow, the nature of our conversations changes. What used to be filled with “Why is the sky blue?” becomes long stretches of quiet. That silence can feel awkward, especially when you’re trying to connect with a teenager who’s not exactly in a chatty mood.

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My solution? Music.

Over the past five years, the car has become a shared sound booth for my daughter and me, a place where we exchange songs, swap influences, and teach each other about the music we love. It’s not just about filling time; it’s become a way to stay connected, to understand each other a little better, and, occasionally, to surprise each other.

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No Pressure, Just Play

My biggest tip? Don’t overexplain. Don’t say, “You’re going to love this.” Just queue it up and hit play. Sometimes it lands. Sometimes it doesn’t. And that’s totally fine. The point isn’t to win them over—it’s to share a piece of yourself. And the best part? They’ll eventually do the same.

Here are a few albums and artists that have made their way into our shared playlist over time:

My Dad-to-Daughter Picks:

• Nirvana – Unplugged in New York - A perfect intro to ‘90s grunge—stripped-down, raw, and emotional.‍
• Fleetwood Mac – The Dance - A live performance that reintroduces the band to a new generation. Bonus points if they’re already listening to Stevie Nicks.‍
• Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique - A sampling masterpiece that bridges old-school hip-hop with the experimental.‍
• Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream and Pearl Jam – Ten - Because no club sports parent playlist is complete without a little grunge.‍
• A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Nas, The Fugees - Soulful, thoughtful hip-hop from the ‘90s that still holds up.

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The Pre-Game Hype Song

Since she was 10, we’ve had a pre-game hype ritual: “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” by DMX (yes, the unedited version). It’s loud. It’s aggressive. It’s full of F-bombs. But it’s ours. Over time, it’s gone from a pump-up anthem to a running joke to a weirdly sweet tradition. I’m half-expecting it to play at her wedding. (DMX for the father-daughter dance, anyone?)

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Daughter-to-Dad Discoveries:

My daughter has pulled me into genres I once ignored—like new country. Acts like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers have found their way into my favorites, despite my previous anti-country stance.

She’s also reminded me of great ‘90s tracks I’d forgotten—Mazzy Star, Goo Goo Dolls, and more.

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How to Make It Work: The Trade-Off Method

Here’s what’s worked best for us: we take turns. One song from her, one song from me. No commentary. Just play and listen. Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes we sing along. Sometimes we sit in silence and let the music say what we don’t.

It’s not always magical. But over time, this little ritual has become something special—a hidden benefit of all those long drives.

So if you’re looking for a way to make the most of your car time, try the music exchange. You might just find a new favorite song. Or even better—a new way to connect.

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