Ah, summer. Sunny mornings full of possibility, lazy poolside afternoons, and rockin’ nights lit by tiki torches. What songs bring back the sunscreen and beach-sand to you? What songs defined your one perfect summer, be it decades ago or just getting started with this year’s solstice?
Welcome to the Songs of Summer blog hop, hosted by the Armchair Squid, Cygnus, and Suze. Today, Friday, July 11, 2014, please join us by posting 5 of your favorite summer songs and sharing some memories about them. Maybe between us, we can build the perfect soundtrack to accompany us over the next few months. If possible, include links so we can hear these gems. And, if you’re in the southern hemisphere, join us to dance those winter blues away!
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My 5 Songs of Summer are:
Summertime | In the Summer Time | Hot Hot Hot!
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World | Little Bitty Pretty One
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Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. See lyrics here. See video below.
I was born in the 80s and raised in the 90s, and I’m truly a product of both. Infused with jazz and hip-hop, this is definitely a song for my generation with some urban soul.
This song reminds me of a time when little girls could dance around in sundresses and bathing suits just for fun without trying to look older than they are. It seems like kids grow up way faster than they need to these days. It’s a fun song that praises the idea of laying back and not taking things too seriously or taking them to extremes. Great for a summer cook-out.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA]
In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry. See lyrics here. See video below.
I can’t remember the first time I heard this song, but I know I was too young to understand the words. As I got older and understood them, I still liked the song. It’s not a bad or good message. It’s almost an “Hakuna matata” song with an adult theme. In any case, it’s always made me think of summer and hanging out at the beach…Oh and, not that I’m hating on Shaggy, but the original is much better.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/wvUQcnfwUUM]
Hot Hot Hot (Arrow song) by Buster Poindexter. See lyrics here. See video below.
The song speaks for itself even if the video doesn’t. Summertime is hot and so is this song. Every good summer party needs this song. It’s fun.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/xmM0Kga0tiE]
Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. See lyric here. See video below.
What’s not to like about this song. It takes two sweetly motivational and uplifting songs and puts them together with ukulele music, making you feel like you’re enjoying yourself on a tropical island. Sweet!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/y5JicO2bKec]
Little Bitty Pretty One by Thurston Harris. See lyrics here. See video below.
This song makes me want to dance all summer long. Other than that, I have no idea why this song makes me think of summer, but it does.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/v8PhP3yIlRw]
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I hope you guys enjoyed my list.
Now go see what everyone else is sharing!
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
28 replies on “Songs of Summer Bloghop!”
The dude with the ukulele has an amazing voice.
I know; it not what you’d expect to come out of that guy,huh.
Somr great summertime music choices there… a couple would feature in my own list. 😀
shahwharton.com
Thanks. There were others, but I had to make some choices.
Great choices. You got a great range of styles and decades in there. Thanks for joining us, Toi!
Thanks for the opportunity. And now that I’m good and late to this party, it’s time for me to hop around.
Some excellent songs. I’d forgotten that “Hot Hot Hot” song, but it was a fun song and EVERYWHERE in the late 80’s. Now it’ll be stuck in my head for days, lol!
It’s definitely the kind of song to get stuck in your head.
I’m glad someone has chosen Mungo Jerry. Real classic. Sam at irishredfox.blogspot.com
It was of the first to pop into my head.
I totally see why Itty Bitty Pretty one makes you think summer. It’s just fun, you know? Looove Isreal on the ukelele. 🙂
I know.Listening to him I just want to take a dip and then lay out under warm breeze.
Buster Poindexter! Good one! Great list – it is so hard to choose just five.
Love, love, love them all!
Cherdo
http://www.cherdoontheflipside.com
Thanks. Yeah, just five is so unfair.
Love that version of Over the Rainbow. Never thought of it as a summer song, but it fits beautifully.
Thanks. I think it gave a summer feeling after 50 First Dates, but I’ve always liked it.
I could look at a young Will Smith any day! Or a current Will Smith. Any Will Smith. Enjoyed all the songs, but especially that last one … definitely a summer song.
Yeah, Will Smith is pretty easy on the eyes.
The DJ Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince that always takes me back is “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” I’d just started working as a DJ at my college radio station and I played that song every time I got the chance. I LOVED it!
How is that, you used to be a DJ. Thanks for stopping by.
These are wonderful. I like ukelele music and that last one is so catchy.
I know what you mean. Makes you want to snap your fingers.
Just love your play list. That rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow always gets me all teared up! And, my 5 y/o was quick to note the Mungo Jerry song was in Despicable Me 2…bonus!
Thanks for the great post!
Veronica
Your’re right, it was in that movie. Thanks for stopping by.
I love your selection of songs – a nice variety of styles. 🙂 And I can totally see why they all remind you of summer, even the last one. 😀
Thanks. There were others I could have chosen, but these are the ones that made it for now.
Fun choices! Always love a good ukulele tune 🙂
I never appreciated ukulele much until this song. Thanks for stopping by.