A few summers ago, I solicited ideas for THE summer jam of the year. Y'know, the one you love to love, even after it's been on the radio too many times. For me, the all time winners are Prince's "Raspberry Beret", and the Fugees cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You". Not because they're my favorite tunes, but because they feel like that particular time and place for me. And, they happened to be huge hits.
I have to say I'm not loving this summer's early entries, Daft Punk's "Get Lucky", and Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines". (As I write this, I hear "Get Lucky" coming out of someone's car.) "Get Lucky", I don't know, I have a tough time getting with something so blatantly, self-referentially retro. (this video says it all) And "Blurred Lines", I'm sorry, I find both the message of the tune and the video misogynistic. Not borderline, not wink-wink nudge-nudge, but flat out. (when your song gets called out as "rapey" in Cosmo, that's probably not a good sign...) And Robin Thicke is no JT, never mind a real soul devil.
So, I'm looking for alternatives- please share here, or on Facebook or Twitter. Here's my summer jams:
Janelle Monae has been my musical crush since "Archandroid" came out. And this makes me even more excited about the new record...
Imagine Dragons "On Top of the World"
This isn't a single (hence this video by my friend Wari)), so maybe I'm cheating, but I much prefer this to their actual single. And this has the carefree summer vibe- I want this with me at a beach. Or in Colorado doing yoga...
This one has started to make the radio rounds. Catchy as hell, and the video is so cute...
Okay folks- thoughts?
(Oh, by the way, I don't have a summer jam, but I do have a new record I'm trying to release, and a Kickstarter to get it out. Please check it, pre-order, help me make it happen!)
