06.14.07

“Your Voice Was The Soundtrack of my Summer”

Posted in AJ, Life, Music at 1:07 pm by AJ

Summer is upon us and with is comes music festivals, picnics, and cookouts. People tend to be outside during summer in pools, on front porches, or taking road trips and the one constant about these summer activities is music. Everywhere you go there is music playing and during the summer it all seems to be up beat and enjoyable. There are some singers who’s voices and style appear to be perfect for the those long summer months (i.e. Sinatra and the gang) and then there are bands that seem to only be around during the months of sun and leisure. Since I was a kid I have always thought of specific songs as meant for summer and so without further adieu here is my summer soundtrack… (note: these are the songs I’ve chosen. They are in no particular order and are open for discussion. I also took the liberty of adding in my favorite lyrics from the song because at my internship I have that kind of time.)

1. Centerfield- John Fogerty: Of course I’m going to start with a song about baseball. Although this song discusses the opening of a new season, which is the spring time, this song is played in ballparks and stadiums all summer long and makes us all feel as if we could make an over the shoulder Mays like catch… “So say hey willie, tell ty cobb and joe dimaggio; Don’t say “it ain’t so”, you know the time is now.”

2. Slow Ride - FogHat- This is one for all of the classic rock lovers out there or, if your like me, lovers of the movie Dazed and Confused. This is the quintessential movie about school letting out and enjoying a day in the life of a summer time high schooler. It shows that all of the problems of sports, girls and class seem to melt away. This soundtrack is chalk full of summer classic rock from Skynyrd to ZZ Top but Slow Ride will forever stick in my mind because of the end of the movie. The main characters head off to get Aerosmith tickets (”Top priotrity of the summer”) and are driving down the road as Foghat plays in the background…priceless “Slow down, go down, got to get your lovin’ one more time Hold me, roll me, slow ridin’ woman you’re so fine.”

3. Summertime -Bachelor Number One- This song is from the American Pie soundtrack and is the first of a few with the word “summer” actually in the title. Since 7th grade I’ve listened to this song on the last day of school and before the first day of school with my brother to remind us how perfect summer time is. It has classic lyrics such as “kick off your shoes, the booze, and use anything but your mind…cause this is the summer time…” This song is as close to summer perfection as I can possibly imagine and reminds me of the high school adolescence that we all miss from time to time.

4. Black Rock- O.A.R.- Of A Revolution or OAR as they are better known is one of those bands that I’m pretty sure hibernates from October til may only to resurface with catchy songs to be played at rib cook offs around the country (See: Crazy Game of Poker). This specific song is a great little diddy about sitting out on the rocks near a lake. It’s a peaceful and easy going work that reminds us that sometimes you just have to get away and listen to the waves. “On the black rock is where i spend my time writing a memory or writing a rhyme thinking about what is right or wrong”

5. Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay- Otis Redding- This may be more of a vacation song than summer but much like Black Rock it shows that sitting around watching the tide roll in can be one of the best ways to spend a summer day. “Look like nothing’s gonna change. Everything still remains the same. I can’t do what ten people tell me to do. So I guess I’ll remain the same”

6. Boys of Summer - Don Henley- Another with the word summer in the title, this is one of those timeless classics that will forever be loved (and remade…ahem -ataris). It talks about a man who loves a girl and how his love will still be strong after she’s finished with all of her summer flings. This man is either truly in love or retarded. “I never will forget those nights, i wonder if it was a dream. Remember how you drove me crazy? remember how i made you scream?”

7. Up All Night- Unwritten Law- This is an unusual pick but it was one that was played in my car on trips to Cedar Point throughout my teenage years. Its best line “Cuz we’re alright, we’re up all night ,To see the sun come up again now. Just one more time no reason why. To see the sun come up again” Is a reminder that you don’t need a reason to stay up all night… It’s summer, why not? Side note: it also talks about smoking pot on the front porch…if you’re into that kind of thing

8. Holiday From Real - Jack’s Mannequin- Everything In Transit, Jack’s first album, may just be the best cd every created period let alone for the summer and so picking just one song from it was tough. I Choose Holiday because of one line “California in the Summer, Ah, and my hair is growin’ long, Fuck yeah, we can live like this”… poetry. Who doesn’t want to live like that? Andrew McMahon… you are a gift from God.

9. Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince You can’t have a summer cd without having this song on it. Everyone born in the 80’s grew up with this song and is reminded of that final day of 6th grade running home from school to jump in a pool and kick it big willy style. “Summa, Summa, Summatime…Time to sit back and unwind.”

10. Just Cruisin’ - Will Smith- yes a 2nd Will Smith song… This one is all about drivin’ around by yourself on a nice day just listenin’ to music and not having a care in the world. The only difference is that Will is cruising in an Aston Martin and we were in a 1991 Buick park avenue… style. “Just Cruisin’…where baby? I don’t care”

11. Esta Vida - Grasshopper Takeover- “Esta Vida is Life…” That’s not just a translation, it’s the songs most used lyric. This song defines summer. It talks of cheap nights at bars and a girl he loves. This is another band like OAR where every song just reminds you of summer. (also listen to: Forever Young) “Everything is gonna be okay, when the day turns to night or the night turns into day. I’d fall apart but for the melody in my view.”

12. Summer of ‘69 - Bryan Adams- “The Canadian government has apologized numerous times for Bryan Adams” but they don’t need to apologize for this tasty lick. It speaks of a better time when all there was to worry about was summer crushes and a smooth playin’ 6-string. “Standin’ on your mama’s porch, You told me it would last forever. Oh the way you held my hand I knew that it was now or never. Those were the best days of my life”

13. Summer ‘79- The Ataris- They took a high risk shot by trying their own version of the Canadian classic but they did rather well. They sing about roller rinks, drive ins and laying on the roof watching the stars. Not a bad summer day. “We Are the Champions” playing out on the radio station. Everyone sing along with these anthems of our generation. Cruisin’ down Pacific Coast Highway, Put the top down, crawl into the back seat. Let’s create anthems of our own tonight.”

14. Loner - Ekoostik Hookah- Another less known song…This hippie band sings of the beaches and a freedom in life that seems only possible under the warmth of summer. Sometimes we all just need to get away from it all. “And they’re askin’ me where’d you get that tan boy and I’ll say out on the beaches of life…”

15. Where Summer B? - Ben Folds Five- Sadly the only time Ben will be on this list. This song is compliments of JD and is another one I enjoy listening to on the first day of summer. “They’re asking where you been like I know where ya been. hey Summer, where ya been?”

16. Constellations - Jack Johnson Much like OAR, Jack’s and Ben; Jack Johnson is a guy who could have any number of songs on this list. I choose Constellations because its a slower song and perhaps his most beautiful. “It was just another night With the sun set And the moon rise not so far behind, To give us just enough light, To lay down underneath the stars. Listen to all the translations Of the stories across the sky. We drew our own constellations”

17. Standard Lines (I Hope You’re Happy) - Dashboard Confessional- This is yet another band that seems perfect for summer although their often times depressing songs fit well in the winter as well. But with songs and albums with names like Dusk and Summer and So Long Sweet Summer it’s no wonder why they made the list. This specific song makes the cut specifically because it is in the very first episode of Clone High; the greatest show no one has ever heard of. “But your taste still lingers on my lips, Like I just placed them upon yours And i starve… I starve for you”

18. Hook - Blue’s Traveler- One of only 3 bands that will make the winter song list as well (Ben Folds, and Jack’s) Blue’s Traveler has a few hits and every one of them sticks to your head like glue (special thanks to sean paul for that line). “Suck it in suck it in suck it in If you’re Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn…” (the rest of this lyrics is far too long to put in but you all know how it goes)

19. Fly - Sugar Ray- This tune is another that will stick in your head and never leave but it’s quite catchy and actually was the start of Suagr Ray becoming moderately successful…I know I’m shocked too… “Dance a little stranger show me where you’ve been. say what? Love can make you hostage, wanna do it again?”

20. The Way - Fastball- The list comes to an end with a one hit wonder that I absolutely love. I placed this one hit special on the list for all the other’s I left out such as Summer Girls by LFO, Flagpoll sita by Harvey Danger (which I do love), and all the others which I’m sure I’m forgetting. “Anyone could see the road that they walk on is paved in gold, And its always summer, they’ll never get cold.”

So there is my summer play list…I hope you all enjoyed it. Feel free to add your two cents. go out and get some sun.

that’s all for now

If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance. -Bern Williams

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