Songs That Sound Like Summer…To Me
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Kevin Uhrich assembles 12 tracks that reminds him of the summer season and all it entails. Read Kevin’s thoughts on each song and listen along to the Spotify playlist on top and/or the YouTube playlist at the bottom of the post.
What does summer sound like? It’s an intricate and unknowable question because, among different people, summer sounds like different things. To one person, The Beach Boys crooning about California girls or Len warning you about the dangers of stealing their sunshine is the ideal sound of what summer is. To another person it can be “Summer Breeze” playing by Seals & Crofts (or Type-O-Negative if you’re feeling frisky).
What does summer sound like to me? That’s easy. To me, summer is a kaleidoscope of songs manufactured for that perfect road trip or just a day of pure simple relaxation. Summer sounds light and breezy but with a slight twinge of sadness in the air just to help you remember that it may not be around all the time, so you must cherish it while you’ve got it.
1. “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest
Slow and melodic but with just enough kick to make you want to get up and move, this song fits perfectly with the early morning feeling of summer. The heat isn’t too bad, but you know if you stay where you’re at it’s just going to get worse so you gotta move. Plus any song that starts out sampling Lou Reed is automatically an instant classic.
2. “Three Is A Magic Number” by Blind Melon
Summer is meant to be time away from school and learning and all things educational. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. The perfect song that encapsulates learning with the fun of summer is Blind Melon’s cover of “Three Is A Magic Number.” It stimulates the mind like a fresh cup of coffee but also has the perfect splash of hippie rock aesthetic to let you know you’re in safe hands.
3. “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” by Digable Planets
Another slightly slow groove, “Rebirth of Slick” is the song that solidifies what your day is going to be like. You’ve made your plans and you’re ready to put things in motion. It’s time to head out into the wild blue of a summer day and hope for the best.
4. “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” by The Flaming Lips
If you ever imagine your life as a movie (and who among us hasn’t?) this is the song that scores the montage of the start of your fun road trip sequence. If you haven’t had a fun road trip scored to this song, you’re doing yourself a great disservice and need to rectify that immediately.
5. “19-2000” by Gorillaz
Mellow and poppy, “19-2000” is a song that fits perfectly for when you’re lounging in or by the pool. You may have partaken in some “herbal refreshment” and are soaking up the sun or you simply dig the song so much that you don’t even need any enhancement and you’re just caught up in the groove. Whatever your preference, everyone can agree that this song is pitch perfect summer listening.
6. “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
If I made a playlist about summer songs and I didn’t put this on it, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. It has summer in its title for crying out loud. A nice groove that’s just right for when you want to light up the BBQ or you’re heading out on a leisurely stroll with your friends.
7. “Modern Art” by Black Lips
Another montage song, “Modern Art” is the summer bop for when you’re bumming around the mall because you’ve literally got nothing better to do and they have the A/C blaring. Fast paced but not too hard, this song encapsulates the boredom of wasted potential on a summer day.
8. “Jump Into The Fire” by Harry Nilsson
Yes, most people will automatically associate this with GOODFELLAS. If you remove that connection, this song is perfect for those summer nights when you’re having a large group of friends over and you just need to let loose. Pour out a few cocktails, crank this up and let loose for a few minutes.
9. “Y Control” by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This song feels like a summer sunset. I know that sounds strange, but something about the crunching guitars of Nick Zinner paired with Karen O’s hypnotic and powerful vocals makes me think of driving during the Magic Hour, when the sun is casting that perfect orange glow in the sky and everything is bathed in its light. Indescribably beautiful.
10. “Sittin’ Back Easy” by Patto
The night is winding down but that doesn’t mean that the fun must end. This song helps to bring things gradually down and let everyone get their bearings without everything coming to an abrupt halt. The perfect song to play at medium volume as you sit out on the deck and feel the cool summer breeze envelop you.
11. “Lady On The Water” by Blitzen Trapper
A bonfire song if I’ve ever heard one. Quick and straight to the point with nothing overly flashy. The beauty of this song is its simplicity and how it can make you feel all those warm and fuzzy feelings that only a nice bonfire on a cool summer night can provide.
12. “Fake Empire” by The National
The number of times I’ve drifted off to this song on a summer night easily comes close to the triple digits. It’s hauntingly beautiful and, even when it picks up the tempo, it still can lull me right into a nice peaceful summer sleep. There are few things that feel as nice as being sent off to sleep with a good song echoing through your ears and bringing joy to your heart.
