Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.
Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008
Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.
Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,
Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008
Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.
Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,
Guests:
Lizzy GoodmanFollow Us
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Comments [18]
Dear John,
who was the female singer and the name of the last song you played at the end of your segment about this years summer songs with lizzy goodman.
Thank you for your time.
Rosi
American Boy by Estelle...seriously solid song and definitely good for summer 08
lovin spoonful- "Hot town, summer in the City"
"Well, I love "I Kissed a Girl." She sounds dizzy, genuinely upside down, and also loving it enough to sell the song. Someone ask her if she wants to kiss an older man! Here I am."
haha, exactly!
I think a summer hit needs a upbeat, breezy tune to it. I like Everclear's "Santa Monica".
If I have to think in a song that to me defines a "classic summer song", then probably "Take It Easy" by the Eagles, really sums it up. Driving through the highway, with a the summer sun behind you, and the Eagles gently rocking the stereo. "Backstreets" by Bruce Springsteen, could be the closing theme of my perfect summer song. Cheers.
Well, I love "I Kissed a Girl." She sounds dizzy, genuinely upside down, and also loving it enough to sell the song. Someone ask her if she wants to kiss an older man! Here I am.
Favorite summer song memory -- Four Seasons' "Rag Doll," back in the '60s. I remember everybody on the beach turning up their transistor radios when the song came on. "Such a pretty face should be dressed in lace..." Katie Perry has come a long way from that!
1978 in my backyard . . . sitting on the swings, or swimming in the pool . . .
Gerry Rafferty -- Baker Street
All sax solo, all the time . . . .
"Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992. Not that I *like* it....
I think people are confusing the question and just submitting songs they like personally, not an all around "summer song".
silver jews! suffering jukebox! suffering from these songs!
it's like the question of 'which is the summer hit' is really the question 'what was the worst song released this summer'?
Kinda reminds me in tempo and key of "Tainted Love" --- another Summer hit from early 80s!
the song isn't even that dancy and it's not even that fun musically.
who experiments!
this kissed a girl song is so utterly offensive to any queer person anywhere. that she was a christian singer makes it that much more offensive. ew ew ew. i fucking hate this straight girl experimenting shit, and i'm a straight girl!
I love this song, as does every lesbian and bi-curious straight girl I know. The line about cherry chapstick cracks me up.
Please please please don't make us listen to that terrible "I Kissed a Girl" song! The few seconds in the intro were already way too much.
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