The Ultimate Summer Playlist, Pt. 1
Picking the Top 3 Songs of Summer
As summer fast approaches (even though the temperatures have already hit mid-summer highs in the last week), we need to find those perfect songs that put you in a beach state of mind.
Look no further for your summer playlist guide than your friend here at Vinyl Grooves and Brews.
Artist: Jimmy Buffet
Song: Margaritaville
Album: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, RCA Records 1977
How does one not kick off summer without this song? Margaritaville is not just a place, but it is also a state of mind. That state of mind is the waves crashing against the shore, a cold beverage (adult or whatever you prefer), and the sun shining above on a cloudless beach day. To me that is just the perfect day, assuming I remember my sunscreen.
When I also think of Margaritaville, I think of Jimmy’s travels to the Caribbean (which he discusses frequently in his books and interviews) and it takes me back to my amazing trip to Aruba last June. I even told my wife when we landed that this must be what he had in mind when he wrote the song. Did it get any better than a constant 87-88 degrees, 4-5 hours a day in the warm water, sitting under a palapa, and a frozen strawberry daiquiri? I really think if heaven existed on Earth, it must have been Aruba.
Fun Fact: Buffett, revealed in an interview with Zack Brown on CMT, that this song was originally made for Elvis Presley but he ended up turning down the song (he died before the song was recorded).
Artist: The Beach Boys
Song: Surfing USA
Album: Surfing USA, Capitol Records 1963
Coming in second place is one of the most iconic surf rock songs of all time. This song was a constant addition to the playlist when I went to the beach with my parents when I was a kid. Granted I never learned how to surf (I still want to learn though), this song always took me back to a simpler time on the California beaches during the 1960s.
The Beach Boys had countless ‘beach’ songs but this one just stands out. It was right before, The Beatles and the British Invasion took over the radio waves. It was sadly in my opinion the last great surf rock album until Jack Johnson came around in the 2000s. In a way it was the end of an era for America, as the Vietnam conflict was looming on the horizon and those innocent and sunny days on the beach would soon be just a memory.
Fun Fact: This song was basically a rework of Chuck Berry’s hit, Sweet Little Sixteen. The band ended up giving him most of the royalties from the song so he wouldn’t sue.
Artist: Dick Dale
Song: Misirlou
Album: King of the Surf Guitar, RockBeat Records 2012
When you think of this next song you may not think of the beach, but instead, you may think of the movie, Pulp Fiction. Do not worry, I can assure you this is a summer song as much as the first two.
Dick Dale was proclaimed, ‘King of the Surf Guitar’. A Massachusetts native, Dick Dale bought his first guitar for $8 and paid it back in installments. Having been heavily influenced by traditional Lebanese music he added a twist by using a right-handed guitar he played upside down since he was left-handed. Similar to Jimi Hendrix, but the only difference is Dale never restrung his guitar. This unique guitar configuration helped him create his surf rock sound.
Dale’s version has become the standard as it has been used in countless movies, advertisements, and even sampled by other artists in their songs (recently, The Black Eyed Peas song, Pump It).
You can’t have summer with Dick Dale in my mind. Coming in at number 3 with this song, I am sure he’s got a few others within the Top 25 summer songs according to me.
Fun Fact: This song was originally based on a Turkish folk song.
As you listen to these songs there are countless ‘brews’ you could enjoy. My choice would be a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. With a smooth taste with a twist of lemonade, it just screams summer.
