And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. I unleash upon you my SUMMER MIX. Two discs of sunshine, laying in the grass watching clouds pass by, lounging in a beach chair with your toes in the sand listening to the waves crash and seagulls fly overhead. I'm talking about pure easygoing bliss. Forget your daily grind for a while and remember what it was like to pass the time riding bikes, playing tag on the playground, and running through sprinklers.
This was by far the most difficult mix for me. Of course there has always been music that I associate with summer, or some albums that I listen to far more often in the summer. But summer has never been my season. I was a winter baby. Although, I think summer is a difficult time for everyone. Now before you all scream in disagreement, let me explain.
Summer is the season of our youth. The day that school let out and summer vacation began was incredible. Those two and a half months meant freedom from school, homework, classes, etc. When we grow older, summer is just another section of the year. You have to go to work just the same as everyone else. The "real world" requires that you stay responsible and pay the bills. In this process, many people can't stay connected with the youthful essence of summer. Most people, although they enjoy summer and all the warm weather activities, don't remember how fun it used to be to just sit in a sand box and make miniature villages intended only for destruction by stomping.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, some things inside us will die. Human suffering is inescapable. We all go through different ways of hurting, and no hurt should be downplayed. It is all valid, and it all needs to be explored and worked out. What I'm trying to say is that it's important to make an effort to stay connected with our inner child. For some people, this will only happen once they've had children of their own, to spend time with and relate to. But I challenge you, take strides to connect with that child today. They don't have to be living and breathing in front of your face. The child is inside of you. This task is just as difficult for me as for anyone, which brings me back to my first point of how difficult it was to compile this list
On the first CD, I tried to include songs that are without a doubt summer music. You'll find songs ranging from reggae, to drunkard sing-a-longs, to Ace of Base. These songs are classic, but, I admit, still quite eclectic. Some of them remind me of my childhood and some I could just imagine being played in a tiki bar on a tropical island. Some of the songs you may have never heard before (The Smiths), but still fit in better here than on the second disc.
So on the second CD, I grouped all the songs that I'm currently listening to that feel like summer. I'm proud to include a few Michiganders (Stevens, Saturday, Pas/Cal). You may laugh at the fact that almost all of my mixes include Yo La Tengo. What can I say? They are a timeless band for all seasons. This disc closes with a Columbian (Banhardt), and a few Brazilian tracks, including Jorge's "Life on Mars?" cut from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
In conclusion, I enjoyed making this mix and I hope you enjoy listening to it (I have it in iTunes if you'd like it sent to you). Remember my challenge, but also remember that summer isn't a quest. Summer isn't something you have to work to find. You've already arrived. So enjoy it.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. I unleash upon you my SUMMER MIX. Two discs of sunshine, laying in the grass watching clouds pass by, lounging in a beach chair with your toes in the sand listening to the waves crash and seagulls fly overhead. I'm talking about pure easygoing bliss. Forget your daily grind for a while and remember what it was like to pass the time riding bikes, playing tag on the playground, and running through sprinklers.
This was by far the most difficult mix for me. Of course there has always been music that I associate with summer, or some albums that I listen to far more often in the summer. But summer has never been my season. I was a winter baby. Although, I think summer is a difficult time for everyone. Now before you all scream in disagreement, let me explain.
Summer is the season of our youth. The day that school let out and summer vacation began was incredible. Those two and a half months meant freedom from school, homework, classes, etc. When we grow older, summer is just another section of the year. You have to go to work just the same as everyone else. The "real world" requires that you stay responsible and pay the bills. In this process, many people can't stay connected with the youthful essence of summer. Most people, although they enjoy summer and all the warm weather activities, don't remember how fun it used to be to just sit in a sand box and make miniature villages intended only for destruction by stomping.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, some things inside us will die. Human suffering is inescapable. We all go through different ways of hurting, and no hurt should be downplayed. It is all valid, and it all needs to be explored and worked out. What I'm trying to say is that it's important to make an effort to stay connected with our inner child. For some people, this will only happen once they've had children of their own, to spend time with and relate to. But I challenge you, take strides to connect with that child today. They don't have to be living and breathing in front of your face. The child is inside of you. This task is just as difficult for me as for anyone, which brings me back to my first point of how difficult it was to compile this list
On the first CD, I tried to include songs that are without a doubt summer music. You'll find songs ranging from reggae, to drunkard sing-a-longs, to Ace of Base. These songs are classic, but, I admit, still quite eclectic. Some of them remind me of my childhood and some I could just imagine being played in a tiki bar on a tropical island. Some of the songs you may have never heard before (The Smiths), but still fit in better here than on the second disc. Also, my current love affair is with bossa nova, and I included a track from the indispensible Brazilian jazz album Getz/Gilberto.
So on the second CD, I grouped all the songs that I'm currently listening to that feel like summer. I'm proud to include a few Michiganders (Stevens, Saturday, Pas/Cal). You may laugh at the fact that almost all of my mixes include Yo La Tengo. What can I say? They are a timeless band for all seasons. This disc closes with a Columbian (Banhardt), and a few more Brazilian tracks, including Jorge's "Life on Mars?" cut from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
In conclusion, I enjoyed making this mix and I hope you enjoy listening to it (I have it in iTunes if you'd like it sent to you). Remember my challenge, but also remember that summer isn't a quest. Summer isn't something you have to work to find. You've already arrived. So enjoy it.
CD 1 – Classics
- bob Marley – buffalo soldier
- steel pulse – ravers
- the drifters – under the boardwalk
- otis redding – (sittin’ on) the dock of the bay
- seals and crofts – summer breeze
- stan getz/joao Gilberto – so danco samba
- van Morrison – moondance
- jimmy buffet – margaritaville
- stevie wonder – my cherie amour
- the beach boys – all summer long
- led zeppelin – d’yer mak’er
- the outfield – your love
- the police – de do do do de da da da
- the smiths – there is a light that never goes out
- tears for fears – everybody wants to rule the world
- pet shop boys – west end girls
- blind melon – no rain
- ace of base – all that she wants
CD 2 – My Summer Songs
- gorillaz/spacemonkeyz – slow country (strictly rubbadub)
- sufjan stevens – come on! Feel the Illinoise!
- kings of
- pas/cal – the bronze beached boys (come on lets go)
- Saturday looks good to me – meet me by the water
- the
- jack Johnson – staple it together
- broken social scene – pacific theme
- caribou – Hendrix with KO
- the avalanches - two hearts in 3/4 time
- destroyer –watercolours into the ocean
- pete yorn – life on a chain
- the elected – would you come with me
- the new amsterdams – past the pines
- yo la tengo – season of the shark
- devendra banhardt – santa maria da feira
- seu Jorge – life on mars?
- bebel Gilberto – august day song
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