The biggest hit this summer in Finland is a song called “Mikä kesä” by Valvomo. It’s a dull reggae song with stupid lyrics. In fact, the only good thing about it is the title, which can be translated two ways: “What a Summer” or “What Summer?” The lyrics don’t do the title justice, though. Instead it inspired me to create a min-mix of songs that actually do describe the feelings of summertime. Summer is a strange mix of sea, sex, sun, barbeque, beer, loud rock music, and childhood memories all wrapped up in long lazy afternoons and warm nights.
Ash: Oh Yeah
“Oh yeah she was taking me over / Oh yeah it was the star of the summer / It felt just like it was the start of forever / Oh yeah it was start of the summer.” I’ve never had a summer fling like in this song. But I can imagine myself a one. Summer is time for dreaming about love. What a wonderful adolescent song.
Edoardo Bennato: Viva La Mamma
This is a silly Italian pop song. It’s sunny, quite catchy, and relatively easy to dance to. It also reminds me of my trip to Rome in May. Music to dance and recall to. Perfect for summer.
The Thrills: Big Sur
For me, this one is about the sunny days in August. You just have to force yourself out of the house: this could be the last beautiful day of the summer. They should know: the band spent a month in San Diego and then went back to rainy Ireland to record an album about their time there.
Oasis: Champagne Supernova
A great song for rainy days. I really liked the episode “Rainy Day Women” of The OC. Is that the only episode in the OC where it rains? It (obviously) reminds me of the moment when Summer comes to Cohen’s house and Seth falls from the roof wearing a Spider-Man mask and “Champagne Supernova” plays in the background.
Stone Roses: I Am the Resurrection
I didn’t like the instrumental part in “I Am the Resurrection” before a barbeque party with my friends went wild in the summer of 2004. We drank too much and it started to feel like it was time to dance. The only records we had were a Phil Collins CD and The Very Best of the Stone Roses. Thank god the Stone Roses collection ended with “I Am the Resurrection.” When you’re dancing, the instrumental part makes sense. You just don’t want the song to end.