Summer Music (So Far)

“Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner”

Just like that, you are catapulted into summer…

At least that is how it works for me.  Dirty Dancing is one of the greatest summer movies ever.  Especially when it comes to music and nostalgia.  I mean, sure there’s plenty of other summer movies.  But that one is just the one I like.

But what about summer music?  Do you have different playlists?  Or at least preferences. 

I mean, you sort of have to, right?

Well summer 2017 for me has been all about old reggae and ska.  With a few old rock songs, jam songs what have you.  But rather than just mention it… why not let you hear it. 

So here is my summer play list so far.  Ask me in a few weeks and it may be 100 percent different.

No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley

Summer to me is about relaxing, having drinks on the beach while a cover band across the way plays a variety of hits. 

So many people have covered this song it is ridiculous. 

But it’s just a calm 7 minute jam.  

It is a tale of a man telling his woman that, yeah their life sucks, but it will continue to get better.  That’s it.   And it just flows on from there.

Bob Marley is an iconic reggae musician, and anything that comes from island life has got to be a great summer jam. 

It goes without saying that you have to listen to the Live 1975 version. 

54-46 – Toots and the Maytals

So this could be one of two songs, 54-46, That’s my Number   or 54-46, Was my Number

Either version is good.  Sublime covered was my number.   But they both are good stuff. 

It’s Toots story about his time prison.  Apparently 54-46 was his number. 

So the first was That’s my Number, and Was followed up a year later

They are considered ska recordings.  Ok.

That’s

What’s

Yeah!!!

Hey Girl – O.A.R. from Rain or Shine Live in Chicago 2009

If you look around you will find many versions of this song.  And this is one of the newest versions. 

This is from night two.  The fucking Wailers opened for them that night.

I think I just like the solos from this version

Or maybe it is from the much slowed down opening, which always sounds as if it shouldn’t be there, but this separates it so much more. 

That was a long confusing sentence.

O.A.R.  is such a great jam band.   That’s what makes their live recordings so much more awesome. They are all just a bit different.

Man Smart (Woman Smarter) Harry Belafonte

So, we get a bit of calypso, who doesn’t like calypso?

Plus, it also will remind you of Beetlejuice.  Harry Belafonte always does.

Plus hey, this could be a great feminist movement song.

I love the way this opens with Belafonte just shouting random shit.

It’s good stuff.

And it goes on forever.

Again, the island songs really just make you want a Bahama mama and a beach.

Sublime – Jailhouse

This is actually, a Wailers song that Sublime covered and added some elements of Tenor Saw’s Roll Call

But Bradley Nowell’s voice is suited for this song. I don’t know why, Maybe it’s that growl that he is able to add to his words that just make them feel more ferocious. 

The songs just sort of blend back and forth.

Again, Sublime gets heavy on my playlist for summer music.  The Long Beach vibe that is projected through the lyrics and the laid back feeling really pull me in. 

It’s just some great summer Jams.

Wailers

Tenor Saw – Roll Call

Shame and Scandal – Peter Tosh

Lyrically, it’s one of the funnest songs on the list.

Most fun, whatever

This is a cover of a rewrite of a cover.

Yeah, long story.  Don’t get me started. 

Just shush and listen to the song.  Enjoy it for what it is. A song about a messed up family   sometimes from Jamaica sometimes from Trinidad

I think that’s it for now.

Am I missing anything? 

What do you like?

 I mean that is 6 solid songs.  Put them all on, grab a drink and get your toes in the sand. 

Happy summer y’all

Bonus