Well, if you know anything about me, the thing to know is that summer is my favorite season of all. I would be happy with All Summer All Of The Time! And music is one of my favorite ways of feeling it. I’m so excited because this summer I already have tickets to see Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, and Sugarland. There is nothing quite like sweating and dancing under the stars on a hot summer night to super-loud live music.
Here are my top 10 songs that make me feel like summer all year round, but especially when it’s here…here at last!
1: “Summertime,” Kenny Chesney. Last summer I was driving my pickup truck to Nashville, Tennessee, and this song came on, and it made me cry. It was one of those moments I won’t ever forget.
2: “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),” Bruce Springsteen. I was not a crazy Jersey Shore kid, but I’ve spent some time there growing up. More importantly, the older I get, the crazier I get about Bruce Springsteen, and there is something essentially summer about him.
Nothing starts summer better than a giant outdoor stadium concert! These pics are from an epic show in Philadelphia with Uncle Cracker, Billy Currington, Zac Brown Band and the great KENNY CHESNEY! It was awesome even though I sprained my ankle a little bit.
3: “Laundry Room,” Avett Brothers. I first heard about the Avett Brothers from Garden and Gun magazine. I was intrigued that their album I and Love and You was produced by Rick Rubin, who only does things in bare feet, which is why I want to be him. But I had no idea what to expect when I saw them live last year at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA. HOLY COW! I had no idea. For the encore, I really wanted to shout “Laundry Room!” but was feeling a bit shy. And then everyone started shouting it, and I felt like I had finally found my true tribe. Last 60 seconds of the song gives you a small hint of what they are like in concert.
4: “Love Is My Religion,” Ziggy Marley. It is my religion! I love Bob Marley, but this song by Ziggy is my favorite summer reggae song.
Pictures from this weekend’s Kenny Chesney concert!
5: “Arms,” Bodeans. This dreamy tune makes me feel like summer long ago, when it was hot and summer was one long desire after another, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of fields and the sounds of crickets….
6: “Private Universe,” Crowded House. I love Crowded House, and this song reminds me of that relaxed, happy vacation feeling when love is all that really matters.
Pictures from this weekend’s Kenny Chesney concert!
7: “Jamaica Say You Will,” Jackson Browne. I first discovered Jackson Browne when I was 14 and I stole my parents’ car and drove to the store and bought The Pretender. I drove out the very next day to buy Saturate Before Using. It was summer. And I’ve been listening to this song for 35 years. It makes me think of all the pirate romance novels I love to read!
8: “Jackson,” Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. This is just such a fun song that has that “dang it all” feeling, like ditching it all and starting over and who cares what happens next.
Pictures from this weekend’s Kenny Chesney concert!
9: “Bullroarer,” Midnight Oil. This is another oldie. I remember listening to it through my WALKMAN as I was walking on the scorching cement sidewalks of Emmaus on my way to the gym. It made me want to work out. It made me love the heat, and it made me feel alive. God, I love summer!
10: “Long Hot Summer,” Keith Urban. It’s from his new album (he played it on the CMT awards this year. Keith has a lot of great happy summer songs, but this one was just written for summer. For this summer. For my summer! You’ll find me dancing to it when he comes to Philadelphia!
What’s your favorite summer song?
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Great list Maria. I’ve just discovered The Avett Brothers myself. Sadly, I doubt if I’ll ever see them here in Newfoundland…
My all time fave summer song is Smooth by Sanatan with Rob Thomas.
Oops, I meant Santana…forgive me.
I was expecting Hot Town Summer in the City or In the Summertime!
I’ve heard of all your favorite summer song artists but not familiar with most of the songs by name…now I’ll have to get on YouTube to hear them! I’m sure they’re more familiar than I realize.
I’m sure they’re as great as the artists performing them!
I grew up in Santa Barbara CA, so summer is not complete without the Beach Boys and surfer music.
Groovin’ by The Young Rascals.
Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams.
I forgot the name of the song, but a line of lyrics goes like this: It’s a crude, crude summer, now that I’m here on my own it’s a crude, crude summer, now that you’re gone. Forgot the group that sings it, but I love that one too!
Another song, Oh it’s summer, summertime is here, yes it’s summer, my time of year. Love it!!! Forgot the groups name.
Donna in Delaware: it’s Cruel Summer by Bananarama!
Fun!
It’s funny that you call Midnight Oil’s song an oldie. Here are my real oldies that make up a summer soundtrack – Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James & the Shondells. I don’t know what the song really means but it’s summery to me. Hot Child in the City by Nick Gilder (1978) and almost any glam rock song from the 1970s. Rock on!
I always thought Kenny was singing about “cheap cherries” ??!! in the song summertime until I looked up the lyrics and found out it was “cheap shades!” Well, ya’ll know how it is with accents and song lyrics. We all make mistakes!
HAPPY ALMOST SUMMER!
Yep, Thanks Laura. I remembered who it was by and the correct wording just awhile ago, and logged on to change it. Thanks for the early correction.
OH, Laura is right, Crystal Blue Persuasion is soooooo cool to listen to and Hot Child in the City!!! Brings back a lot of memories, good, good, happy memories. Would love to get those back!! There are so many from the ’70’s and a few from the ’80’s that are just great. Thanks for the memories everyone!
What would the summer be w/out some of The Eagles?
How about “shiny happy people ” by REM, love that song !!
Don’t forget about “Summertime” by Lena Horne, a definite classic and the living IS easy!
See you at Keith Urban in Philly – it’s coming up soon!!