The sounds of summer are the sizzle of a grill, splashes in a pool and the crackle and pop of fireworks. But what songs go well with the sounds of summer ? We pooled our music writers to find out what’s on heavy rotation as the thermometer races toward 100 degrees. Great summer songs of this year or any other: 1. “July You’re a Woman,” by John Stewart — I was saddened earlier this year to read of the death of former Kingston Trio member Stewart, whom I’d always admired and wanted to see, but never did. He’s best-known to music fans as the writer of a Monkees’ hit, “Daydream Believer,” but he accomplished much more than. For example, he campaigned with Sen. Robert Kennedy in 1968 and wrote some fine songs about the end of that dream and era. With “July You’re a Woman,” Stewart managed to personalize being hot — in more ways than one — in a summer month without even trying.
2. “Summertime,” by Billy Stewart — One of the strangest versions of an old chestnut, it appeared back when us rock devotees had little familiarity with “scat” singing, made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, but something male singers were little-known to do. It’s hard to put into words — literally — the sounds that Stewart made with his mouth. They have to be heard to be believed. It was, and is, quite a trip !
3. “Happy Together,” by The Turtles — In May 1967, I came home from a stint in Panama in the Peace Corps, and the first song I heard on American radio was “Happy Together,” and I was mighty happy to be back in the U. S. A., even if I was alone, rather than together. 4. “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra — I never paid the song much attention when it came out, but years later, it caught my ear, with lines like “All summer long, we sang a song, and then we strolled that golden sand, two sweethearts and the summer wind; like painted kites, those days and nights, they went flying by...” 5. “Theme From A Summer Place by Percy Faith — I deliberately never saw the movie, out of fear it would ruin the wonders of perhaps the greatest instrumental of all time. Even after 48 years, it still soars with fresh transcendence when I hear it.
— Jack W. Hill I’m going with mostly radio songs here, because — unless your neighborhood swimming pool has a cool-kid lifeguard who also gets to play DJ — the radio is what provides the soundtrack for Marco Polo and gooey or- ange nachos charged to your parents’ snack-bar account. And that goes double for the middle of Lake Ouachita, where you can’t get cell-phone service but you can still pick up KLAZ-FM, 105. 9, out of Hot Springs.
1. “ With You,” Chris Brown — Brown must have a monster summer song up his sleeve, because otherwise he blundered when he made this the song of the spring. Anyhow, the “hearts all over the world” concept will still complement poolside puppy love. How can you not grin when Brown sympathizes with the global plight of the lovelorn by crooning, “They need they boo, gotta have they boo” ?
2. “If I Never See Your Face,” Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna — I was resistant to this song at first because, well, to get to the Rihanna you have to get through the Maroon 5. But the slick pop beat will turn the walk from the ladder to the diving board into a runway-worthy strut.
3. “Up Around the Bend,” Creedence Clearwater Revival — Wait until the sun is just starting to set and sync those opening guitar chords to the tuberider you’re throwing around in the wake of a ski boat: Probably not the perpetual motion CCR was pondering, but any troubles will seem relegated to a place up ahead and then some.
4. “Knock Three Times,” Tony Orlando and Dawn — An irresistibly cheesy sing-clap-andstomp-along. When to stomp ? The “knock three times” part, silly ! 5. “Constructive Summer,” The Hold Steady — Both a departure from the nostalgia that tinges the Brooklyn band’s summerthemed songs and an energydrink-mixed tonic for seasonal lethargy, this track from Stay Positive, out July 15 but available on iTunes, vows “we’re gonna build something this summer.” In an election year with record youth appeal, it’s less a party song than a singalong campaign promise.
— Kyle Brazzel The agony of Arkansas bugs and heat needs an antidote and, since we can’t crawl into a cool hole and wait until October, these songs, and maybe a case of popsicles, will have to do.
1. “He Doesn’t Know Why,” Fleet Foxes — My band for summer 2008 is called Fleet Foxes (I know, bad name ), which is five longhaired, bearded dudes from Seattle. The music of Fleet Foxes is folk rock but with some of the most amazing harmonies and voices to come down the pike in a while. Is it summer music ? Perhaps that’s a stretch but this song, off the group’s self-titled debut on Sub Pop, is the most dramatic, hypnotic example of what Fleet Foxes can do and will certainly make your summer better for it.
2. “Put a Girl In It,” Brooks & Dunn — Breezy honky-tonk dance sweetness from a pair who seem to have a bottomless well of songs like this.
3. “Play My Music,” Jonas Brothers — Do you have a 6-year-old or a ’tweener who’s geeked out on the latest Disney manifestation the Jonas Brothers ? I do and this song, part of the Camp Rock soundtrack, is part of my summer soundtrack. And, guess what, there’s much worse out there. 4. “Vacation,” The Go-Go’s — Here’s where I show my age, but this impossibly bouncy song seems to gain extra energy when the summer hits and you’re dying to be somewhere besides whatever chair you’re stuck to. 5. “Good As Gone,” Little Big Town — You can practically hear the gravel fly in this infectious breakup tune that’s made for summer driving (and might even make you forget, for a moment, about how expensive the drive is ).
— Werner Trieschmann 1. “Viva la Vida,” Coldplay — Coldplay haters tend to harp on the English band’s soft-rock stylings, but with a soaring melody and a sawing string section — not to mention lyrics about ruling the world with an iron fist — the title track from its new album is anything but mild. 2. “Bleeding Love,” Leona Lewis — OK, so it was also the song of the spring, but this new soul standard still sounds great blasting out of car windows — the true test for any summer jam. 3. “Closer,” Ne-Yo — The latest single from the R&B heartthrob eschews bump-and-grind slow-jam beats for an uptempo house-music groove perfect for dancing after dark. 4. “Realize,” Colbie Caillat — This SoCal folk-pop chick writes strummy little throwaways that sound like they were written five or 10 minutes before they were recorded. (Y’know, in a good way. ) Imagine a female Jack Johnson. 5. “American Boy,” Estelle — A young British bird’s appeal for some intercontinental romance, “American Boy” comes complete with a bit of valuable summer-song advice: “Cool down, don’t act a fool now.” — Mikael Wood With all due respect to the hottest artists — E-Dubb, Weezy, Rick Ross — and songs out this summer, this list is made up of classic jams guaranteed to get your party started.
Any party. Any time. Any where.
1. “Summertime,” DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince — The Fresh Prince may now be the king of the summer blockbuster but before that he and partner Jazzy Jeff created what is fast becoming the quintessential summertime hip-hop anthem. The Philly duo sampled Kool and the Gang and came up with an instant classic.
2. “93 Til Infinity,” Souls of Mischief — An overlooked classic. This quartet from East Oakland, Calif., hit the scene back in 1993 sporting sweaters and jean jackets, a departure from the khakis and Chuck Taylors of the West Coast gangsta look of the time. This track has an incredible beat that blends loops and flutes with dynamite lyrics. This song is just plain cool.
3. “Jam On It,” Newcleus — “Jam On It” was ahead of its time — 1984 — in just about every way. Sure, the song sounded like it was done by Alvin and the Chipmunks and the premise of the song had something to do with some sort of rap battle between Newcleus and Superman but, that aside, if you really want to turn heads in the neighborhoods and test the validity of your “booming system,” throw this classic track on and watch what happens.
4. “Passin Me By,” The Pharcyde — Another innovative West Coast quartet that hit the scene during hip-hop’s Golden Era, The Pharcyde had an “alternative” sound and feel to its music. Always about having a good time, this song was unmistakable and an undeniable smash. Hip-hop artists and producers alike are still trying to catch up to this inventive summertime jam.
5. “Nuthin But A G Thang,” Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg — “1, 2, 3 into the 4 / Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at yo door.” People know this verse and they have no idea where it comes from. Dr. Dre and his young protege Snoop ushered in the “G-Funk Era” with this smoothed out gangsta track. Drop the top, hit the switches and dip with this summertime anthem.
— Shon McPeace 1. “Range Life,” Pavement — One of the band’s best tunes, “Range Life” is a sleepy, midtempo jam that draws heavily from Creedence Clearwater Revival. Stephen Malkmus laments life on the road and his desire to shake the traveling bone, while managing to slam Stone Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins. When he sings, “don’t worry, we’re in no hurry / school’s out what did you expect,” you know it’s not just a mantra for the summer but a way of life.
2. “God is a Dancer,” Benjamin Del Shreve — The fact that the FM dial is overrun by the likes of hackneyed grunge rip-offs like Seether and Disturbed rather than Shreve proves that corporate radio has ruined music. “God is a Dancer” is a song fully rooted in pop music tradition with a catchy chorus, infectious guitar, and a melody that never tires. This song will make you want to love, laugh and dance a jig.
3. “The Boy with Broken Arms,” Bear Colony — An epic tune that deserves to be on a trailer for a summer blockbuster, “The Boy with Broken Arms” starts off soft but comes out swinging (no pun intended ). Bear Colony is one of the best bands in Arkansas, if not America. Once again, why aren’t they on the radio instead of Flobots ? 4. “Highly Suspicious,” My Morning Jacket — Only MMJ could mix the sexiness of late ’ 80 s Prince with a death metal growl. The groovy bass riff segues into Jim James’ falsetto on verses that make for one of the funkiest jams of the summer. If you haven’t bought Evil Urges, their latest album that includes “Highly Suspicious,” drop whatever you’re doing (unless it involves holding a small child ) and run to your local music shop. Now. 5. “Viva La Vida,” Coldplay — Even if the entirety of the new Coldplay album was horrible (which it isn’t ), this song could single-handedly make the album worth your buck. The soaring strings and pounding drums provide the perfect contrast for this confession of a fictional power broker who has fallen from grace. Even when Chris Martin sounds happy, he’s still mopey. But this mope belongs on your summer playlist.
— Kody Ford 1. “Lake of Fire,” The Meat Puppets — The perfect song for driving through New Mexico; appropriate for a Fourth of July lost in the desert. Do bad folks really go to a lake of fire and fry ? Or worse: Do they have to listen to Death Cab for Cutie ?
2. “Southbound 95,” Avail — Expresses an urgent need to get back to the South. It’s plucked from an album called Dixie. A punky alternative to “I Wish I Was in Dixie,” but a little more raucous. To be expected from good-old-boy punkers from Richmond, Va.
3. “Wicked Gil,” Band of Horses — Not sure what the lyrics say or mean, but the melancholy beat makes me want to roll down my window and crank it up. Unless it’s too hot out. 4. “Let’s Talk Things Over,” Mintzkov — Another “driving,” sort of window-down song, at least till the treacly part kicks in. You might get a few contemptuous looks from someone in the ride next to you, but treacle goes down smoothly during a top-down summer. 5. “Suffering Jukebox,” The Silver Jews — One might mistake this for country music, but one would be wrong. But, now that I think about it, this could be country music distilled down to its whiskeysoaked essence. Or not. Kinda creepy, kinda obtuse, kinda fun, definitely blue.
— John Sykes
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
