It's difficult to identify the formula for a perfect summer song. I'm all over the place on the issue. Sometimes it's a nice beat (Q-Tip's "Breathe and Stop"); other times it's a sly, slinky vocal (Jagger on "Honky Tonk Women"). Or it can just possess a dumb-n-fun vibe (anything by Kelly Clarkson, pre- and post-My December). But perhaps I've said too much.
Let's hurl the conch at the real music geeks in our neck of the woods – the musicians themselves. They've been asked to write short essays on their favorite songs of summer. Find more of these nuggets online at QuickDFW.com.
Ryan Thomas Becker (RTB2, Slow Burners) "And It Stoned Me" by Van Morrison. Nothing really cleanses the soul like this particular Van track. It's the kind of tune that opens up your summer. It helps that this song kick-starts (what could arguably be) the man's second-best album. Listen to this song barefoot with a friend. Shirts/cares optional. To be stoned and to know (at any given moment) exactly where you're at. This is the real Flavor Country. Breathe through the nose. Summer, head first. The weather is just right to roll down the windows during the drive to the community pool. Swimming: a summer art. Cannonballs and belly-flops. Jack-knives and back-flips. Soaking. Floating. There's a feeling of equilibrium. Underwater, we're all at equal strength. Balance. Let's not forget about chlorine poisoning.
RTB2's next show is July 17 at the Granada.
Clint Niosi
I've always wondered if I would handle the summer in Texas any better if I were a native. Instead of any joy surrounding the impending summer months, I usually have a sense of dread. The daytime hours of a Texas summer, speaking for myself, are something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Nighttime during the summer, on the other hand, can be a drastically pleasant experience. As a result, my usual nocturnal hours become nearly vampiric during the summer. I feel that the Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City" captures the duality of the season and resonates with my own mixed emotions concerning the summer. As a side note, my father's favorite summer song is "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama.
Clint Niosi's next show is June 28 at the Embargo in Fort Worth.
Zicole Marxen (Mount Righteous)
"Hard Times" by Patrick Wolf. It may not be your typical summer song, but with the recent release of a weird neon music video channeling Elvis Presley and Klaus Nomi, it rightfully is. A what-the-hell-is-going-on, spooky electronic introduction is followed by the pound of infectiously exhilarating violins. While it could be confused with a political revolution, P.W. speaks specifically to a creative crowd. As an artist of various mediums, this anthem cheerleads to keep my cause further exploring and growing. "If they only see you with their fear and they only hear you with their pride, then work harder," is right, Patrick.
Mount Righteous' next show is July 5 at Cave's Lounge in Arlington. Read about member Cory Graves' favorite summer song today at QuickDFW.com.
Chris Holt (the Slack)
Nothing welcomes a carefree summer like Mungo Jerry's classic "In the Summertime." It's like some drunken jug band jamboree, with its rollicking piano and goofy mouth percussion. It's irresistible in its charm, even to the most jaded indier-than-thou cynic. Unless having fun in the sun with women, booze and cars sounds like a drag. Sure, they talk about drinking and driving at the same time, but hey, it was the '70s, a time of great irresponsibility in the American Dream. Life's for living; that was their philosophy. I once sang this song with Shibboleth at the Granada Theater. A personal highlight for me ... and one giant leap backward for the rest of mankind. Chris Holt's next solo show is Thursday at All Good Cafe.
Iris Leu
My summer begins when I pull out Weezer's green album. When Cuomo hits the effervescent guitar intro to "Island in the Sun," I'm reminded of the last day of school, that collective joy as students rush out the door, the anticipation of play and mischief. Such a sweet, short, memorable tune, my go-to summer anthem. Iris Leu's next show is July 3 at the Cavern.
Daniel Folmer
A gangly 16-year-old boy strolls into the Wherehouse Music (where he eventually ends up working) and buys the Clash's London Calling on recommendation from a friend in his band. Driving with the windows down in the scorching Texas sun, "Spanish Bombs" blares over the crackling, static-y car speakers. Reflecting on the subject matter, he smiles at the blessing of a place where there is no civil war, no bombs dropping and no combat in the streets. Every summer since, the nostalgia of the song speaks volumes. It recalls a time when, though the world seemed large, it was about to get much, much larger. The following September, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began and the past few years have painted a very stark, very real depiction of the song. It is a blessing to live in a country free from war.
Mila Hamilton (Jack With One Eye)
My dad had a pretty great record collection when I was a kid, and at the very first sight of summer, I'd always go grab a few of my favorites to add to my summer mix tape. The B-52s vinyl was always at the top of my list for summer listening, and every year I still put on their first record and bounce around my bedroom pretending to be Kate Pierson. One of my favorite songs is "52 Girls." It starts out with this insanely catchy driving drum beat that immediately pulls you in, and builds you up to that awesome Ricky Wilson jangly guitar. Matched with Kate and Cindy's pop-jerky vocals, it's definitely one of the sunniest songs of all time. Every time I hear that record, I'm compelled to dance.
Tommy Hernandez
"Lion in a Coma" by Animal Collective. It's the first summer I've listened to this song, but I've been playing it constantly. I'm obsessed with it. Didgeridoos, infectious beats and perfect harmonies all in one song! The lyrics that stammer on about disillusionment and being jaded ride the fence between hopeful and hopeless. Its bittersweet chaos is theme music for a summer that seems not quite as innocent as those past. It's also so tribal, it just fits into running around in the heat with no cares at all. "Is there no reason it could be the way it was?" Love it.
Aaron Mollet (Florene)
Like so many skanky sorority girls before me, summer is when I really love to let my hip-hop flag fly. So, visualize with me a classic summer day from my youth. Gas guzzler is packed to the brim with an even mix of homies, swimsuits, sandwiches, pot and Capri-Sun. I can hear the blinker clicking as I turn onto the highway, accelerating towards the nearest large manmade collection of water. Cue the opening Lou Reed audio so audaciously sampled by A Tribe Called Quest on the track "Can I Kick It?" As soon as the beat comes in, beamed straight from Queens off the blazing sun to my car, I know it IS summer and life is good. Then Q-Tip asks me if he indeed can kick it, and the resounding reply from the car is ... "YES, YOU CAN!!!"
Florene's next show is Friday at Bee's Manor in Denton. Read about member Gavin Guthrie's favorite summer song today at QuickDFW.com.
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