1978 Rock Classic Became a Timeless Road Trip Anthem Despite Never Reaching No.1
Rock fans have more than likely belted out the chorus of Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise." The hard rock/power pop track became Money's signature song, which was inspired by a complex romance that ended up becoming a road trip staple.
By the time the track was released, Money was already known among fans for "Baby Hold On," with "Two Tickets to Paradise" having been part of his 1977 self-titled debut album. It was later released as a single in 1978 and landed at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Despite never reaching No. 1, it landed among fans as an enduring anthem about getaways and escaping on the open road.
"Two Tickets to Paradise" became a classic rock radio staple, with Money having been inspired by his own relationship. According to SongFacts, Money became a police officer like his father and brother. Being a true musician, it didn't stick, and he fled to San Francisco to enroll at the University of California, Berkeley. He soon met a sorority girl he fell in love with, but whose parents hated him.
"Her mother would do everything in the world to get her away from me on the weekends so she could meet a nice young doctor or lawyer or CPA," he said in an interview with Frank Jenks.
"I wrote 'Two Tickets To Paradise' about taking a bus ride to the California redwoods. I had been up there going to court in Arcadia, which is in northern California, for something I was holding that wasn't mine... but we won't get into that. I wanted to take her on a bus ride up to the redwoods. 'Two Tickets To Paradise' could be anywhere: could be Hawaii, could be anywhere. It's a state of mind."
In an interview with KSLX, Money expresses how proud he is of the song and never expected it to become his biggest hit. He adds that he's even seen fans use the song on their headstones.
"Two Tickets to Paradise" has left a long legacy in the rock genre and pop culture. It's been covered in The Simpsons, The Office, and a video game staple like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Guitar Hero. It gained resurgence when used in a 2012 Geico commercial where Money appears as a travel agent singing his own song. Money revealed that they had initially hired an older woman, but she was fired when his wife wanted to be in the commercial. The song also became the title of his jukebox musical about his life.
Related: 1978 Jazz Rock Classic, Created for a Box Office Flop, Became a Defining Radio Anthem
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 2:07 PM.