Tag: summer songs

Soak Up The Sun – Summertime Fun Songs

On July 1, 2022

So here is part 2 of my summer music playlist posts. The first last week included songs with the word Summer in the title. This playlist is more centered on songs that give a summertime fun kinda vibe.

Not surprising the Beach Boys (11 songs) and Jimmy Buffett (10) figure heavily in the playlist, perhaps followed by Bob Marley (4), Kenny Chesney (4), and Jan & Dean (3).

While I used this Beach Boys video in last week’s blog “All Summer Long – Summer Songs,” I thought I’d share it again as it sets the mood for today’s blog:

Perhaps no performer has as much summer fun as Jimmy Buffet:

Jimmy even got Alan Jackson to share in his Parrot Head mentality:

And Sheryl Crow may come close to having as much fun when she soaks up the sun. Her now famous line “It’s not having what you want. It’s wanting what you’ve got” provides the recipe for not only summertime fun, but joy in life itself:

And if only Bob Marley had discovered his skin cancer a bit sooner, perhaps I could have taken him up on his offer “I want to jam with you.” When in Jamaica on our honeymoon, “Legend” was playing everywhere – such an irie vibe.

And Bob showed he knew how to have fun, to love and be loved:

And to watch some great surfing fun, the Beach Boys bring us to the big wave once again:

And this video is too great to pass up, out there having fun, in the warm California sun.

And one of my most amazing summertime fun memories was attending the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia July of 1985, seeing everyone who was anyone in rock and pop in the 80s, including the likes of not only the Beach Boys, but Black Sabbath, CSN, George Thorogood, the Pretenders, Santana, Madonna, Tom Petty, The Cars, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Led Zeppelin, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger & Tina Turner, and simulcast from Wembley Stadium in London, Sting, U2, Dire Straits, Queen, David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, Paul McCartney, among many others:

And what is summer fun without a visit to the amusement park. Many a summer day I spent with my brother and friends at Riverside Park:

And I love the great summer vibe Kenny Chesney’s song exudes:

And I love the beach scenes in this video by Caroline Jones, who has opened for Jimmy Buffett and the Zac Brown Band:

And another great frolicking song in the sun, even if you forgot your shirt and shoes:

Jack Johnson, my favorite north shore of Oahu surfer-singer, along with his friend provide an amazing tribute to Otis Redding, sitting on the dock of the bay:

And Cocktail and Kokomo certainly bring on that summertime feeling:

So let this playlist run at your picnic or at the beach. Slip on those shades. Slide into those flip flops. Lather on that sunscreen. Have fun. Kick your feet up. Relax. It’s summertime!

And for those of you who missed my Memorial Day Patriotic Music playlist, check this playlist out to enjoy some great patriotic tunes on the 4^th of July this holiday weekend to celebrate Independence Day.

I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew. Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

Live in the moment.

Enjoy the moment.

Love the summer moments

Listen to the MUSIC!

All SUMMER Long – Summer Songs

By Bill Storo

On June 25, 2022

In Theme Playlist, Word Playlist

The start of summer is heralded by the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, June 21^st. But more importantly is signals the sense of relaxation that comes with warmer weather and time off from school and work, with time spent outdoors at parks, pools, picnics, the beach, water sports, outdoor concerts, outdoor seating at restaurants, summer cocktails and frozen drinks – the overall summer vibe.

This “Summer” playlist is a compilation of songs featuring the word Summer in their title or prominently in their lyrics. Next week’s playlist will feature summer vibe songs, not necessarily including summer in the lyrics themselves, but in the feel they engender. Today’s playlist starts with The Cars singing “Summer, it turns me upside down…” and Meat Loaf’s iconic “On a hot summer night would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses…”. Trivia about the song and album – Todd Rundgren and Edgar Winter were contributing musicians. Other musicians on the list include The Beach Boys, Bryan Adams, Don Henley, Van Morrison, Billy Joel, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Mungo Jerry, Eddie Cochran, U2, The Who, The Doors, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Foo Fighters, Some Country artists on the list include Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Martina McBride, Faith Hill. Several memorable summer songs with a great summer vibe include:

“Summer Nights” – Olivia Newton John and John Travola from the Grease Soundtrack. A classic end of summer remembrance of summer love.

“The Boys of Summer” – Don Henley with a romp on the beach.

“Cruel Summer” – Bananarama taking us back to the 80s, with some great views of the NY Skyline, including the then relatively new Twin Towers.

“All Summer Long” – Kid Rock, gaining inspiration Bob Seger’s “Night Moves” and borrowing heavily from Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves Of London,” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” How could it not help but be a smash hit?

“All Summer Long” – The Beach Boys – from the American Graffiti Soundtrack. Such an iconic movie about Rock & Roll in the early 60s, and a springboard for Ron Howard and Cindy Williams for Happy Days, and eventually propelled George Lucas to create Star Wars with Harrison Ford again in his cast.

“Summer Breeze” – Seals & Croft, a band comprised of James Seals and Dash Crofts, both hailing from Texas. The duo was one of the most successful soft rock acts of the 70s, best known for this hit, as well as “Diamond Girl.” James Seals’ younger brother Dan was half of another successful 70’s soft rock duo England Dan & John Ford Coley, with hits “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,” “It’s Sad To Belong,” “We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again,” “Nights Are Forever Without You,” and “Love Is The Answer”. Quite a talented family. Sad to lose Jim Seals:

“Our Last Summer” – from the Mamma Mia! Soundtrack. Who wouldn’t want a summer in Greece? Such beautiful beaches and countryside.

And check out Celeste, oft compared to Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse, and Adele, and promoted in the media by the likes of Elton John and James Cordon. Some golden oldies on the list include Natalie and Nat King Cole’s “That Sunday, That Summer,” Andy Williams’ “A Summer Place,” Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind,” Nat King Cole’s Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer”.

Let this playlist run at your picnic or at the beach. Slip on those shades. Slide into those flip flops. Lather on that sunscreen. Have fun. Kick your feet up. Relax. It’s summertime!