Summer Soundtrack

These guys ARE summer.

With temperatures pushing triple digits across the country, my thoughts have drifted to cooler times.  From jumping into cold ocean waves on summer vacation back in the day to knocking back cool drinks with friends more recently, the summer soundtrack below accompanies many a sunny flashback.  Just as John and I gifted you our hipster Christmas playlist in December, I’m happy to present you this mixed tape of essential summer jams.

SUMMER GIRLS – LFO

At the height of the boy band craze, LFO “rapped” their way to the top of the one-hit wonder list with their summer jam.  I always wanted to be the girl that stopped by for the summer and inspired fantastic lyrics such as:

“Stayed all summer then went back home – Macauly Culkin wasn’t Home Alone”

”You love Fun Dip and Cherry Coke – I like the way you laugh when I tell a joke”

“Bugaloo shrimp and pogo sticks – my mind takes me back there oh so quick”

WIPE OUT – Surfaris

Commence the beach dance party.

AMERICAN GIRL – Tom Petty

I’ll be the first to admit this song is on the year-round playlist, but played it on repeat this past Independence Day.  (Speed up to 2:15 and dance around your air-conditioned living room without a care in the world.)

ISLAND IN THE SUN – Weezer

Weezer captures the essence of kicking back at the beach… on an island… in the sun.

SUMMERTIME – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

I know you’ve sang this at least once in reference to summa-summa-summatime.  Or at least sang it in your head.

BOYS OF SUMMER – Don Henley

This reminds me of the guys riding their bikes through the neighborhood acting tough in the fleeting days of summer vacation – kind of like the little kid drumming in this music video.

GLORY DAYS – Bruce Springsteen

Baseball.  Beer.  The Boss.  Nothing better than recounting stories of glory days, even though Don Henley (above) told you to never look back.

DOG DAYS ARE OVER – Florence and the Machine

The dog days are nowhere near over, but a girl can dream.  And that girl – as in Florence – can sing.

SEMI-CHARMED LIFE – Third Eye Blind

http://youtu.be/oc_gXYOuNL4

While this drug-laden song shouldn’t remind me of my naïve childhood, it does.  Specifically – jumping off the diving boards at the community pool all summer long with friends from the neighborhood.

CALL ME MAYBE – Carly Rae Jepsen

Yes, I went there.  Catchy, bubbly, fun – with all the makings of pop hit, Call Me Maybe is the song of the summer.  And despite the fact Carly Rae Jepsen’s first single is entirely overplayed on the radio already, I will continue to sing along… loudly.  (I think Carly Rae Jepsen’s new single with Owl City is even better, and this Semi-Charmed Call mashup is pretty awesome too.)