As the weather turns warm, the music turns up
Yes, it’s a bit early this year for these temperatures. No, it’s probably not going to continue the way it has been. However, with the spring equinox less than a week away, I really don’t think it’s too early to start thinking summer.
I love this time of year. The snow is melted, the sun actually feels warm, and the sunlight lasts past 6 p.m. What’s not to love?
From now through the dog days of summer, there’s plenty of time to be outside. Whether it’s shooting hoops, grilling, doing yard work, or just chilling out, there is one thing that ties it all together for me: Music. I love sitting outside during these warm months with my iPod dock at my side, shuffling through my music memories.
For me, this particular time of year brings to mind Pink Floyd’s “Coming Back to Life.” It also jogs my memory back to U2’s “Pop” album as well as the St. Patrick’s Day musical celebrations of The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys.
Being a massive IndyCar fan, the month of May doesn’t exist unless I hear Jim Nabors (of TV’s “Andy Griffith”) sing “Back Home Again in Indiana.” It’s an homage to the Hoosier state that kicks off the annual Indianapolis 500 motor race on Memorial Day weekend.
Going back a fair amount, every time I hear The Offspring’s “Gone Away,” I am immediately transported back to my last days of high school. The same goes for “The Difference” by The Wallflowers, and inexplicably, Hanson’s “MMMBop.” Sometimes it amazes me to think what made a hit back in the “old days” of 1997.
I have to mention “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper as being the ultimate early summer anthem. Every time I hear that, it reminds me of those school bus water fights on the last day of school. I could say the same of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” They all remind me of those hot summer days of my youth.
As the summer progresses, there’s myriad musical selections I can’t live without. My summer soundtrack relies heavily on 1990s rock/alternative tunes, including (but not limited to) Oasis, Stone Temple Pilots, Filter, Pearl Jam, and Radiohead, among others. Those bands always remind me of summer, though it could be just from years of summertime overload. In any case, I love it.
I might have been born a dozen years too late to experience 1967’s Summer of Love, but The Doors’ “Light My Fire” and “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles are certainly summertime tunes to me. And even though we live in Wisconsin, many people don’t count it as summer without the Beach Boys on their play lists (am I right, Mr. Angus?)
What music do you turn to this time of year? Are there particular artists, albums, or songs that remind you of the warmer months that you just have to listen to?
Mar 18, 2012 at 11:50 a.m.
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You are absolutely right, Dave. Beach Boys and summer go together like Surfer and Girl. Too many great ones to mention. Never surfed in my life (and neither has Brian Wilson), but the tunes take me right to a California beach. Or maybe Lake Ripley. "Surfer Girl" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" are among my favorites.
Mar 17, 2012 at 11:36 a.m.
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Summertime by will smith and dj jazzy jeff and the fresh prince .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_PDns23R...
kid rock all summer long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwIGZLjug...
Mar 17, 2012 at 5:23 a.m.
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"I don't mind, the sun sometimes, the images it shows - I can taste you on my lips and smell you in my clothes. Good call njohnson.
Summer means anything by Steve Miller, Kansas or Boston for me.
Hate to admit this but "Summertime" by Will Smith screams bbq's. And Sublime's 'Sublime' album is start to finish my summer anthem.
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:31 a.m.
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Sunshine On My Shoulders and Country Roads by John Denver, Palisades Park by Freddie Cannon, This land is Your Land, the Peter, Paul & Mary version, A Summer Place by Percy Faith and Hot Town-Summer in the city by the Lovin Spoonful. I guess I've dated myself enough. Thanks for the great question.
Mar 16, 2012 at 7:44 p.m.
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Dave, believe it or not, in as much as I am 72 years old, my favorite warm weather song is a fairly recent one. I can't think of a happier thing than driving down the road, windows down, and Sheryl Crow singing "Soak Up the Sun." Whenever I hear that song I have a huge smile on my face.
Mar 16, 2012 at 1:39 p.m.
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how about "it's a sunshine day" , performed by "The Silver Platters"... A.K.A the brady bunch kids!
Mar 16, 2012 at 1:15 p.m.
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Summer Fun Songs:
In the Summertime, Mungo Jerry.
Indian Lake, Cowsills.
Love Shack and Rock Lobster, B-52's.
Summer in the City, Lovin' Spoonful,
and Ventura Highway, America.
Just to name a few.
Mar 16, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.
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Ok, I'll have to admit that I had Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight playing at a pretty good clip, and yes, it was the full 17 minute version. Not bad for a 52 year old WASP living Hong Kong.
Mar 16, 2012 at 11:14 a.m.
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Dave, my 'old days' are a bit older than yours but I appreciate your varied palette in music. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and he one song that really 'sings' summer to me is "It's A Beautiful Morning" by The Rascals. That song just gives me an instant warm weather high.
Mar 16, 2012 at 10:59 a.m.
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I'll spare you the trojan jokes!!!!
Mar 16, 2012 at 10:57 a.m.
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Great choices, njohnson. I just heard that Spacehog song last week and had completely forgotten about it.
Mar 16, 2012 at 10:55 a.m.
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Saxcat:
Mendota, Ill.
Mar 16, 2012 at 10:52 a.m.
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what town njohnson? I grew up in Capron. I have the Spacehog CD in my truck just for In the Meantime. I think I've listened to the rest of the tracks 3 times.
Mar 16, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.
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When the weather warms, I always remember the pop radio hits that were going as my friends and I cruised the square on spring and summer nights in my northern Illinois hometown. Think mid-to-late 1990s...For instance, I just cued up "Pepper" by the Butthole Surfers. Also, you had:
10,000 Maniacs - "These are days"
Oasis -"Wonderwall"
The Cranberries - "Ode to My Family"
Third Eye Blind - "Semi-Charmed Life"
Dishwalla - "Counting Blue Cars"
Spacehog - "In the Meantime"
Cake - "The Distance"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Interstate Love Song"
Smashing Pumpkins - "1979"
Soundgarden - "Black Hole Sun"
Tom Petty - "Mary Jane's Last Dance"
Mar 16, 2012 at 10:05 a.m.
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There are songs I don't really listen to unless it's summertime. Two that come to mind are GNR's Sweet Child of Mine, and Van Halen's Why Can't This Be Love. Perhaps it's because both cast images of sweaty rock concerts gone by, but both have riffs that distinctly smack of summer to me.
Mar 16, 2012 at 9:42 a.m.
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Jimmy Buffett. Anything Caribbean. A few songs that remind me of my younger years with friends would be Thomas Dolby - "She Blinded Me with Science", Eddie Grant - "Electric Avenue", and any track off Pink Floyds "The Wall".....windows down, flying down some country road, speakers blarin!
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