In this being the first day of summer, I’ve decided to list some songs that go well with the season.  Some may find them questionable and disagreeable but feel free to comment or add to your liking. In no way is this definitive, ranked to be number one  or the  ‘be all end all’ of lists.  Here’s my picks:

1.  She Eats Planets (Music Inside)- Not being biased in any sense, this track by Connecticut’s She Eats Planets has been helping me to get ready for the season.  They also happen to be in the running for a contract with Epic Records, so by all means check them out and fulfill their dreams.  (www.musicnation.com/music/sheeatsplanets)

2. The Donnas (Safety Dance)-  A cover but nonetheless a great one; making a great song better. This is not the first time that they’ve covered a song in which goes with having a great time (School’s Out remember?)  They are the essential band to celebrate the good things of life and having been to plenty of their shows they never prove otherwise.  So why not do the same given they’re from the sunny state of California. Pure electic love.

3.  The Breeders (Saints)- If you can’t get the lyrics, the chorus, the video, the overall song then you must definitely save yourself and include this in the mix or be forever doomed in your Tolkien black metal fan club existence.

4.  Rooney (Blueside/Where Did Your Heart Go Missing?)- Both of their videos to these songs evoke summer imagery.  Heck, both albums do it as well.  Also from California.

5.  Shonen Knife (Summertime Boogie)- Catchy and simplistic: what more can you want, what more can you say?

6.  Beach Boys (Good Vibrations/California Girls)- The band that embodies summer, okay their whole career.  The former song that fills my head of imagery ever since its use in The Wonder Years; the latter’s homage helps me conjure up some in mind( and no I’m not talking about Paris or Lindsay) with no participation of David Lee Roth whatsoever.

7.  DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Summertime)- Before he made movies  he was a rapper and had a hit in 1991 with Summertime (yes he was a rapper and yes I’m old).  No summer party would be a party without this jam though he and his bodyguards would probably suggest otherwise.

8. Bananarama (Cruel Summer)- Before the emergence of emo, you had this song from back in the 80s that made you want to be mopey and dance at the same time as an alternative  to slashing your wrists. Others would want to do it to this style of music but not myself.

9. Eddie Cochran (Summertime Blues)- Another song of mopiness but this time directed to ‘da man.’  The lyrics are still relevant given to today’s current state so if you’re not feeling the love then crank this one up.  Been covered by Rush, Joan Jett and The Who.

10. XTC (Grass)- Who knew that they celebrate the summer over in England.  Therefore, all stereotypes should be broken as this track-as well as the whole album that it comes from ‘Skylarking’- of this underappreciated band plays and the lush orchestration lays your mind in a sensual haze. Take the title with whatever reference you like.