Commentary: Top Ten Song Picks for Summer

As the end of summer draws nigh, I've begun to ask myself, "Self, what are some songs that scream summer to you?" And then I thought, you know, I've never mentioned my musical preferences here before, and I might as well start now. When it's Summer, which is before Winter, which is when I turn into a black sweater wearing, black coffee drinking shut-in whose idea of an upbeat song is anything from Kid A.

So, without further ado, I give you my top ten tracks for summer. There is no ranking of best to worst because I'm too indecisive.

1. Matt & Kim's "Daylight"
Few things lift my spirits like a bright honky tonk piano intro and sophomoric lyrics. One day toward the beginning of the summer, I fell down a flight of stairs and bruised my knees...and ego. I turned this song on, and felt better almost immediately. No, the black and bloody spots didn't leave for some time, but my painful memory of the shin-boarding incident did. And really, what more can you ask from a song?

2. MGMT's "Time To Pretend" EP Version I have to be honest; the first time I had the pleasure of hearing this song, I was sleuthing the MySpace profile of a certain Nathan Followill, drummer of a certain sexy and scrumptious band called Kings of Leon. "Time To Pretend" was his profile song, but it was the Oracular Spectacular version. And while I appreciate that version, the EP one seems more honest and...human. The fuzzy synthesizers and bouncy beat transport me to a bubbling and fizzing party. Lots of lights and laughter. And of course booze and drugs. And come on, the lyrics "I'm feeling rough/I'm feeling raw/I'm in the prime of my life" epitomize the adolescent mindset. Perfect summer song, but more raw thanks to less production time.
3. N.A.S.A.'s "Gifted" featuring Kanye West, Lykke Li & Santigold
N.A.S.A.'s release of their latest album, "The Spirit Of Apollo" was a real treat. Featuring appearances by the Wu Tang Clan to Karen O to David Byrne to even, yes, Tom Waits, the duo knows how to mix even the most odd of ingredients together and create a succulent success. In "Gifted," Kanye and Santigold's ample egos complement eachother perfectly to create a fun and danceable summer party mix staple. And Lykke Li adds that necessary sugary sweetness to counter the spiciness of said hip hop stars. Even when wearing my retainers and large rainbow scrunchie at night, I play this song and I am the coolest, hippest girl in the world.
4. Devendra Banhart's "Chinese Children"OK, another honest moment. I have no clue what the fuck this song is about. And to be blunt, I don't think he does either. To be even more blunt, Banhart was probably smoking one when he wrote this song. The lyrics are weird, Devendra is weird, but the effortlessly cool guitar riffs and shuffles fit a summertime barbecue like no other. And it goes without saying that the Robert Plant-esque croon and cadence is nothing short of sexy.

5. King's Of Leon's "California Waiting"Any of you who know me knew that this one was inevitable. Followill ferocity aside, this is a summer hit from the very beginning of the song. Cowbell plus drunken drawls counting off the solid beat are two necessary summer elements. And any song that alludes to Tommy James & the Shondells gets an A in my book. The crescendo that occurs at 2:16 is chill inducing, and invariably ends in me shrieking every time they play this live. The screaming and libido-heavy sense of urgency in the last ten seconds of the song is pure rock & roll. I can feel his throat growing sore, I can see the beads of sweat gather and then fall off his forehead as he frantically strums the final sixteenth notes. This song is an experience. This song is sex. Now roll your windows down, and turn it up.
6. New Order's "Temptation"It's hard for me to know where to start with this. I'll always have a soft spot for this song as it was in the 90's classic, "Singles." Moreover, the new wave beat is contagious and may be even more effective than Zoloft. Major keys, a pulsating synthesizer and sappy and romantic lyrics would make even Edgar Allan Poe write poems about butterflies and happy sultry summer afternoons. If he were alive, obviously. This song begs for some major choreography. Get dancing, boys and girls.

7. The White Stripes' "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)"Few artists pack the punch that Jack and Meg White do, and I highly doubt that any ever will. Heavy handed and full of a bluesy bravado, Jack relays a rather mean message (perhaps to former flame Renee Zellweger), but we don't notice. Why? A confident major key, and heavy down beat powerchords. Oh, and 3:10. White delivers a real tour de force with his guitar, slicing into and tearing the pretty and poppy melody he created to shreds without a care in the world. Now that's what I call a nihilist. Great guitar, great vocals, and an antique organ make this a top summer choice.


8. Grand Duchy's "Fort Wayne"While I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of Frank Black's voice, I absolutely love this album. From the album "Petit Fours," a project he has made with his lovely French wife, this song zips up long summer days in a suitcase and lets you take it wherever you please. Black's long and wailing guitar and vocals wind up and down and all around like the breeze of a hot summer day, and his wife's ethereal voice transports you to Heaven, or at least France. They're close enough, anyway. The bridge around 1:57 is done entirely in French, and you can see the sun shining down on the Seine. Want to spend the summer in Europe, but you're on a budget? Get this song.


9. The Cure's "Just Like Heaven"I never really understood how such a seemingly bleak man like Robert Smith could write such a whimsical and upbeat song. I mean, he looks like a creation of Tim Burton's imagination. Anyway, the delicate yet playful piano to a pop beat makes me want to run into a field of wildflowers and catch dragonflies all day long. Hopefully with someone who looooves me, too.

10. Modest Mouse's "3rd Planet"I feel like anything I say to describe this song will only be a disservice to it. Moon & Antarctica. Fall in love, go outside, get grass stains on your pants and dirt beneath your fingernails and live in only the most saturated of colors. Do it, now. If I had to pick the ultimate song of summer, it would be this.