Some of my strongest memories are tied to -- if not defined by -- music. From the age of about 18 months old, when my parents found me whistling under the breakfast table, to feeling “easy like Sunday morning” after last night’s supermarket run, it’s hard to remember a time I didn’t have a song in my head.
A few years back, I found a book: This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin, which served as perfect way to feed both my inner geek and also gain a better understanding of why certain songs just stick with you and have the power to instantly remind you of specific events, times or places.
The recent spell of warm weather left me longing for lazy summer days and scanning my sonic memory bank to create playlists to welcome the season. After culling some favorites (and with a little crowd sourcing thrown in for good measure), I had a list of more than 100 good-time summer jams, spanning several decades. Since I can barely scratch the surface here, I’ll share a couple playlists (one old school, one contemporary) to help get you in the summer mindset.
Summer Breeze – Seals & Crofts
Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty
California Soul – Marlena Shaw
Steal Away – Robbie Dupree
Reminiscing – Little River Band
I’d Really Love to See You Tonight – England Dan and John Ford Coley
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John and Kiki Dee
Whenever I Call You Friend – Kenny Loggins/Melissa Manchester
Living Thing – ELO
Xanadu – Olivia Newton John
Jump in the Pool – Friendly Fires
Catch the Sun – Doves
Ooh Yeah – Moby
Happy Up Here –Royksopp
Raindrops – Basement Jaxx
Keep Your Eyes Ahead – The Helio Sequence
Nearer Than Heaven – The Delays
Sometime Around Midnight – Airborne Toxic Event
1901—Phoenix
Kids -- MGMT
What gems will this summer hold? It’s a bit early to say, but the new MGMT and Gorillaz are poised to be in heavy rotation.
Amanda
