Part one of your vacation music cocktail
My summer officially started at the beginning of June, with a long and unforgettable trip to California: it was really hard to come back. The good news is that I created a summer playlist to listen while I was there and to keep me company for the rest of the season.
The original tracklist was really long, but I thought I could come up with a shorter version to share with you.
This first part of this 2017 Summer Playlist is called The Classics and it includes the music I’ve grown up with: these are the songs I listened when I was in high school and in my 20s. Most of you probably know all the artists I mentioned (at least The Beach Boys, I hope!), but for those of you who don’t, I hope you’ll find something you like.
LFO – Every Other Time
When you’re a teenager you become the director of the movies you picture in your mind. That’s what happened when I first listened to Every Other Time: I pictured myself happily skating on Santa Monica’s boardwalk. Since then, nothing has changed. Sorry.
Lenny Kravitz – California
Some of you probably thought I would pick Phantom Planet’s track (which I love, by the way) but I can’t resist Lenny’s summer love story and his California catchy chorus.
LIT – Zip-Lock
As a teenager LIT songs were always on my CD player: I’ve always loved their explosive pop punk mix. Zip Lock features an unforgettable guitar riff that “screams” SUMMER. The video, directed by Chris Applebaum, starts with a tribute to Twisted Sisters’ We’re Not Gonna Take It and Blink 182 have a small cameo (as naked party goers) in it.
The Beach Boys – Surfin’ U.S.A.
The Beach Boys are fun, fresh and inevitable in any summer playlist you’re creating. So, even if you’ve never visited California, add this timeless hit to your compilation.
Chris Isaak – Somebody’s Crying
Every summer playlist needs a ballad and I chose Somebody’s Crying by Chris Isaak for many reasons: first, it has a hint of rockabilly; second, the video presents the story of a summer romance. This tune has been stuck in my head since 1995.
Sheryl Crow – Soak Up The Sun
I love everything about Soak Up The Sun: the summer melody, the sing along chorus, the people surfing in the ocean in Wayne Isham’s iconic video. Sheryl also provides us with a life lesson we should always remember: “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.”
Sugar Ray – Someday
I was and I still am a big fan of Sugar Ray: I think they wrote some incredible summer songs. For those who don’t know, they were huge during the 90s and Someday is one of the songs I love the most: it’s sweet, gloomy and beautiful.
