One afternoon on Twitter, about a month ago, I posted that I was making up a summer playlist – something that I could listen to while cruising about the city, with the windows rolled down and the stereo cranked. Several people offered some good suggestions, most of which I can’t find [1. I wrote them down! On a notepad! It's on my desk somewhere! ]. Here’s what I have so far:
1. Pump it Up – Elvis Costello. I’m pretty sure this was a suggestion. Besides, how have I made it this far without having this song in my collection? (There was also a version by Danko Jones in iTunes. Good, but not better than the original.)
2. Little Secrets – Passion Pit. This was going to be the axis around which all the other songs spun. I can listen to this song on constant repeat and not get bored of it.
3. El Scorcho – Weezer. I feel like I know exactly what they’re singing about. I’ve been the person doing the pleading, while being simultaneously exasperated with the person in question, and hating myself for being in that situation ONCE AGAIN.
Ahem. Moving on…
4. Make Me – Janet Jackson. You know those times when you don’t want to clean the kitchen, or the laundry is piling up but you don’t want to do it. Or sweeping – ugh, sweeping. Put this song on, and just dance through the housework.
5. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader. This song is unrelentingly, almost agressively, cheerful. Another good song for doing housework. Or, you know, cruising around while blaring the stereo.
6. Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) – Janelle Monae. Thank you CBC2 for bringing this to my attention one morning a few weeks ago.
7. Steal My Sunshine – Len. No, I did not get sick of this song during the early 00′s. Okay, maybe I did, but when I heard it the other week I didn’t realize that I’d sort of missed it.
8. Someday Baby – R.L. Burnside. This was in one of my wish lists, and I have no idea how long it had been there, or even who had recommended it. Bluesy, funky, kind of awesome, really.
This is it, so far. At least until I find that damn list.