SUMMER MUSIC | LISTICLE

My Soundtrack To Summer

Memories of summers past

Summer sun Something’s begun But ah Oh the summer nights “Summer Nights”— Grease soundtrack

Just about everyone has a song or ten that bring back memories of summers past. Your summertime playlist may remind you of backyard barbecues, music blasting from a car speaker as you make s’mores around the campfire, the smell of suntan lotion (or sunscreen depending on your age), make-out sessions at the drive-in or hanging out at the beach.

I thought about coming up with a list of songs with summer in the title — Summertime, Summer of ‘69, Boys of Summer, Summer in the City, Hot Fun In The Summertime, Summer Nights, Cruel Summer, Endless Summer — and that’s just off the top of my head.

But these songs don’t get under my skin and scream summer as my playlist does. It’s tangled up with vivid memories of summers past while the songs themselves cross musical genres.

The key to a great summer playlist is fun and energy. No morose love songs here. This music puts me in a summer groove, sometimes because the song was released in June, July, or August. Sometimes it was released months or even years before but it ended up in my summertime heavy rotation. Years later the song is able to conjure up the energy, the heat, the taste, and even the smells of summer.

So let’s get this party started!

Club Can’t Handle Me — Flo Rida/David Guetta

A collaboration of two of my favorite high-intensity performers — Flo Rida and David Guetta. The energy of the song is contagious. It came out in 2010, the year I started a two-year travel odyssey. I liked the song at first, but I fell in love with it when I was in Tel Aviv the following summer and I heard the song come on in a nightclub. I got up to dance, soaked with sweat, overwhelmed about where my life had taken me and I danced like nobody was watching. I still can’t stop myself from moving every time I hear it and the vibe says Summer Heat.

Dreams — Fleetwood Mac

I can remember the exact moment when I first heard the song. It was released in June of 1977 and it was about a month later when I was in my friend Suzanne’s bedroom. We were there with a couple of friends about to get ready for a pool party outside. Suzanne put on the Rumors album, gushing about how much she loved it. She always had the best taste in music and now every time I hear Stevie Nicks' evocative voice it takes me back.

Paradise by the Dashboard Light- Meatloaf

This song was released the same year as Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album so I don’t even remember hearing it until the following summer. 1978 was the summer I graduated from high school. It was a fun song that seemed to be playing every time I turned on the radio. I remember trying to memorize the lyrics so I could sing along every time it came on.

Radar Love — Golden Earring

I told you that my summer playlist crosses musical genres, and this song I would categorize as Glam Rock. Released in 1973 but I remember it from the summer of ’74 when I hung out with my cousin in La Mirada, California. It was my first time drinking American beer, Coors Light at a picnic in a park. My cousin’s girlfriend also had a huge pot plant growing outside their home (her parents didn’t know what it was) so we would get high and listen to this song on repeat. When I got back home to Canada, I called the radio station repeatedly and requested the song.

Kids — MGMT

I had this song downloaded soon after I first heard it. I’d put it on when I was walking down the street and the beat made me start to strut. Look out John Travolta. It was several months later that I finally saw the video, which I found disturbing, but I still love the song.

Boys in the Bright White Sportscar — Trooper

Unless you grew up in Canada in the late 1970s you probably won’t know this song. But it was a big summertime hit in Canada and if you listen you’ll understand why. I remember blasting the song in my car as I drove a group of friends to an outdoor concert in central Alberta.

All I Wanna Do — Sheryl Crow

Hard to believe that this song is twenty years old this summer. It was a breakthrough hit for Sheryl Crowe that captures the cool summer vibe. Maybe it’s the lyrics but it reminds me of driving through the streets of LA in a convertible with the hot wind in my face — even though I don’t remember ever doing that.

Steal My Sunshine — Len

It really needs no explanation because this song simply says summer to me. It’s all in the attitude. A great song to listen to on the beach.

Journey — Any Way You Want It

When I moved to central Alberta from Yellowknife in the early eighties my favorite summertime activity was to pack up my car and head to the beach at Sylvan Lake. I drove a black Camaro with a T-roof that I would have open as I blasted my car stereo driving along the country roads. This song reminds me of those days and still makes me smile every time I hear it.

Grease Is The Word — Frankie Valli (1978)

It’s the opening song of the movie that dominated the box office in the summer I graduated from High School. I have so many wonderful memories of watching that movie at the drive-in, not once or twice but several times that summer. When I hear the first few notes of the song I am back in my car, with the smell of popcorn and hotdogs and that carefree feeling to be finished with school and ready for my future to begin.

Thank you for reading. I’d love to find out what songs bring back summer to you.

I spent many summer nights at the drive-in, but as you may know, it was not just about the movie.