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