Completing this week’s old man trifecta is Don Henley, who is currently touring in support of his greatest hits album.
Among the nine remaining dates are performances in Boston, Massachusetts, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia.
Expect to sit through an hour’s worth of obscure B-sides before Henley finally gets to his lone solo hits in “Dirty Laundry”, “New York Minute”, and “The Boys of Summer”.
Summer, it’s the one time each year when the sadomasochists of the world gather in droves at nearby beaches to show off the fruits of their own innate narcissism, and wave it about like a banner for codependency.
It also happens to be the time when big budget movie blockbusters litter local theater screens, promising mindless action, plot holes, and trite PG-13 drivel that neither offends, nor expands one’s mind.
Coincidence, I think not. Movie studios know all too well, that this is when the planets align, to line their pockets with money from a hapless and ignorant public, that bends to the will of their corporate… hmmm, my internal monologue has just informed me that this website has absolutely nothing to do with movies or for that matter commenting on the downward spiral of an America driven by shallow self-indulgence.
What if I…No? Okay, well I guess you guys are screwed then.
However, to help ease your transition from free-thinking individual to box-office statistic, I have compiled a list of the “Seven Songs of Summer” to listen to while you stare blankly into that picturesque water colored sky.
Why, seven you ask? I’m personally tired of top ten lists, everyone and their mother does ten.
Also it doesn’t hurt that I could only think of seven songs. Plus there’s the whole alteration thing.
Anyway, enjoy…
Lovin’ Spoonful – Summer in the City
The Year was 1966 and America was entrenched in a bitter struggle over Vietnam, with no foreseeable end in sight. It’s nice to see so much has changed since then.
The Lovin’ Spoonful, fronted by everyone’s favorite late night infomercial superstar John Sebastian, released their one hit wonder that surged to the top of the billboard charts, eventually dethroning the Trogg’s “Wild Thing”, late that summer.
The song is a brilliant mash-up of seething blues and high energy pop.
Best part: the echoing organ and blistering opening line, “Hot town, summer in the city/Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.”
The Ventures – Walk, Don’t Run
This 1960’s classic is the epitome of laid back cool.
Better known for the theme to Hawaii Five-O, the Ventures’ instrumental gem embodies the surf vibe and easy island living of a white picket fence America.
Best part: the Misirlou-esque guitar riff that echoes like a soothing breeze.
Alice Cooper – School’s Out
Inspired by the slow burn experienced as the last three minutes of school tick away toward summer, this song has and will continue to capture the imaginations of disenchanted youth for generations to come.
Best part: when Cooper howls, “School’s out forever!”, over the thundering rumble of distant drums.
Grease – Summer Nights
Just come clean already, you know ever damn word to this pop culture staple.
First appearing in the Broadway smash and later adapted for the movie of the same name, this infectious song has erupted into one spontaneous sing along after the next and caused many a grown man to question his own heterosexuality.
Best part: When Danny and Sandy’s prying friends beg, “Tell me more, tell me more”, the latter-day equivalent of “Did you hit that?”
Don Henley – Boys of Summer
Mr. Hotel California himself moved from the stale hedonistic confines of his $500 a night suite to a bitter soul-crushing wasteland of tide and sand?
Well, aside from Henley being a total drag to vacation with, his new-wave classic about restless youth stands as one of the great summer songs and a favorite amongst those wanting to set their cries for help to music.
Best part: the drum machine and looping synthesizers that hum as Henley belts, “And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong/After the boys of summer have gone.”
Sublime – Doin’ Time
Lifted directly from George Gershwin’s timeless opera Borgy and Bess (except for maybe the opening lyrics), this classic Sublime jam has absolutely nothing to do with Summer.
But, this season isn’t exactly about substance, now is it? So who really cares?
Best part: When the late and great Bradley Nowell croons to his jilted lover, “She spreads her lovin’ all over and when she gets home there’s none left for me.”
The Raveonettes – Red Tan
This 50’s era throw back from the much under-hyped Danish duo is the saddest song you’ll ever hear, but nothing says summer quite like a heartbreaking romance.
Best part: the whisper quite vocals of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo as they whimper, “Warm summer’s night red tan.”