Summer Songs

This is a great time of year. It’s starting to warm up nicely, the longest day is getting closer and summer holidays have been planned.  So as the sun has finally come out, I thought I’d throw together a mini summer playlist to help enjoy the summery weather (although as I write this, the sun has gone away and the usual British summer weather of grey cloud and drizzle has taken over). They are all songs that you can enjoy with a cold beverage in hand with a nice BBQ on the go or equally just chilling down the beach.

It’s not a world cup year so Vindaloo and 3 Lions (98) have to be shelved for now until next year. Even K’Naan’s ‘Waving Flags’ will have to wait, even though it’s a great summer song. You may have your own idea of great summer music; be it Ibiza Club classics, big, sing along festival tunes or just a singer songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Either way, below you will find a list of songs that will not fail to get you in the mood for summer. Enjoy J

 

Arrow- Hot Hot Hot: Yes it is the song you think it is. Not a summer holiday went by when this song didn’t appear on kids TV when I was younger. It pretty much defined the summer holiday season. Not a bad thing because it isn’t a bad little song. It may have only reached a measly #59 in the UK charts upon its release in 1984, but you can’t deny it’s a catchy number that really gets you in the mood to enjoy the summer months. A 1994 remix fared better than the original and hit #34 in the UK charts, while another version of the song appears in the movie ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.

 

Dodgy- Staying Out For The Summer: A song you may not recognise the name of, but there’s a good chance when you hear it you will, “Oh yeah, I know this.” Dodgy’s 1994 hit may not have been a huge chart success, but it provided the soundtrack for many a school holiday in the 90s. A band I saw live for the first time last year, they well worth seeing if they play anywhere local to oyou.

 

Don Omar- Danza Kuduro: I’m not a fan of dance music, I usually give it a wide berth, but I love this song. It helps that it appeared in the film ‘Fast and Furious 5’ and it’s those Latin vibes that are really catchy and hook you in. It’s a perfect song for the summer and one that would go down well at a summer house party.

 

ELO- Mr Blue Sky: How can you not enjoy this song in the middle of summer? With the opening lines “Sun is shining in the sky/There ain’t a cloud in the sky” you can’t help but sit back and go “You’re right, I’m just going to sit here and enjoy it for 5 minutes.” Or maybe that’s just me. Either way this is just an old classic that gets the feel good summer vibes going.

 

Leddra Chapman- Summer Song: She may not be a household name, but Leddra Chapman is a name you will do well to familiarise yourself with. Her 2010 single epitomises the feeling you get in the summer. The catchy, feel-good tune and her light hearted, bouncy vocals really does paint a blue sky and green meadows image in your head.

 

Katrina and the Waves - Walking On Sunshine: Come on, everyone knows this song right? And it’s one that won’t fail to put you in the mood for the summer. Even though it never hit the top of the charts, it helped launch the band’s career with their debut album of the same name. It was in fact their highest chart success, until their 1997 Eurovision winning song bettered it. ‘Walking on Sunshine’ has made a huge amount of TV and film appearances, so the chances of you not having heard it are slim.

 

Kid Rock- All Summer Long: Released in summer 2008, this is one of Kid Rock’s biggest hits, reaching number one in 8 countries, including the UK.  It features samples of two songs, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” and the more recognisable “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I’m not usually a big fan of sampling, but it works extremely well in this instant. I’ve always thought “Sweet Home Alabama” is a brilliant ‘summer song’ in its own right, but decided to use this instead on this list. It’s the kind of song you can imagine singing along to, driving down a country lane or to the beach with the roof down.

 

Simple Plan feat Sean Paul- Summer Paradise: This is exactly what you want from a song about the summer. Nice upbeat tune, catchy lyrics and a hook that ensures that it sticks in your mind. Much like the song above, it’s a real feel good song that makes you want to party the night away down the beach.

 

Terrorvision- Tequila: Summer song? Party song? What’s the difference? Who cares when you come up with a 90s classic like this. As soon as the song kicks in you find yourself shaking imaginary maracas and dancing along to the music. It’s an involuntary reaction, you just can’t help it. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way this is the perfect song for a beach party.

 

Weezer- Island in the Sun: There appears to be a common theme running through this list, that being the feel-good factor of the music. That’s what the music is about, and this song is no different. In fairness I could have chosen any number of Weezer songs to put in here, but ‘Island in the Sun’ is the most apt. The alternative rockers only do feel good songs that you can sing along to. The fact that they have a tour on their own cruise ship from Florida to the Bahamas should be enough proof they enjoy the sun.

 

Well that’s it. Sorry it’s a bit shorter than usual, but there will be reviews of The Killers live at Wembley and Kasabian and guests at Hard Rock Calling coming in the next couple of weeks to make up for it.

Please feel free to follow and share and I’m always happy to receive comments.

 

Until next time J