With the smell of BBQs in the air this Memorial Day weekend and the kick off of the summer season that gladly brings with it the time to relax & kick back with family and friends, music steps up its role in playing a central theme in our lives. Hence this (subjective) summer song playlist culled from the literally thousands of great songs out there that celebrate summertime and just hanging out in the sunshine in the park or backyard, or at the beach.
Here are a dozen personal faves (lots of classics) from the rap and pop categories culled from over the past several decades including Len's "Steal My Sunshine" (1999), Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince's "Summertime" (1991), Raewkon's "Ice Cream" (1995), The Foo Fighters' "Barbeque Song" that they did for an MTV special (2007), Mac Dre's "California Livin'" (1992), Dove Shack's (with Warren G) "Summertime in the LBC," and dating back to 1966 with The Lovin Spoonful's summertime classic "Summer In The City."
Main Source feat Nas, Joe Fatal, & Akinyele "Live from the BBQ" (1991)
Foo Fighters "Barbeque Song" (2007)
MC Serch "Back To The Grill ft. Nas and Chubb Rock" (1992)
Len "Steal My Sunshine" (1999)
Mac Dre "California Livin'" (1992)
The Dove Shack (with Warren G) "Summertime in the LBC" (1995)
Raekwon featuring Method Man, Ghostface, and Cappadonna "Ice Cream" (1995)
Ice Cube "It Was A Good Day" (1992)
Mungo Jerry "In The Summertime" (1970)
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince "Summertime" (1991)
A Lighter Shade Of Brown "On A Sunday Afternoon" (1990)
Lovin Spoonful "Summer In The City" (1966)
