wht 4th of July Play List
Woo hoo, holiday weekend here we come! We promised some ideas for a rollicking 4th of July play list (the background of your rocking 4th of July party, of course). So we’ve gathered some of our favorite summer party tunes from the obvious (if you don’t play something from the Beach Boys you’ll be hauled away) to the one hit wonder that played constantly during my first summer away from home (shout out to Ocean City, Maryland!) We’re starting you off with fifteen picks of up-tempo, crowd-pleasing tunes that sing (sometimes literally) summer to us:
4th of July – X For obvious reasons! And also because X rules.
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson Your guests may be tired of talking about Michael Jackson, but they won’t be tired of his music – besides this disco classic can always be heard again.
Holiday – Madonna Just a happy, boppy summer song from my youth!
Gin and Juice – Snoop Dogg & Dat Nigga Daz Now, for a fun change of pace – this song is played at every LA barbeque I’ve ever attended.
Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s When I asked Eric for his opinion on this mix, he replied “anything from Beauty and the Beat” before I could finish my question.
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys Another gimme; you can’t have a proper outdoor celebration without at least one BB song.
Buffalo Stance – Neneh Cherry This was the hit of the summer during my years at the aforementioned OC, MD. Still sounds great today and you’ll be surprised how many people adore it.
Moving to L.A. – Art Brut Not quite as well known, but a totally fun, party tune (and a pick from Stef) which will have you ready to ride a motorcycle, shirtless down Sunset Blvd shirtless in no time. (Well, at least the guys – ladies, a tank top will suffice!)
Lovely Day – Bill Withers Because it is a lovely day! And this song will make it even lovelier.
Summer Nights – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John Get ready to hear some singing from your guests! You can never go wrong with anything from the Grease soundtrack.
Hot Fun In the Summertime – Sly & The Family Stone If, like me, you spend time imagining how your party will go and visualize it like scenes from a movie, this is the song that should be playing in the background
The Boys of Summer – Don Henley Honestly, I just started to appreciate this song recently. Maybe I’m getting old, but for this summer at least, it’s sounding pretty good!
Over and Over – Hot Chip From an album released in May 06, this band always reminds Stef of hot days in the desert (with a Party Palmer to ward off the heat)
Smooth Criminal – Alien Ant Farm I have no excuse; I just always enjoyed this MJ cover!
Let Me Blow Ya Mind – Eve & Gwen Stefani Another L.A. summer soirée staple – always well received and will have people swaying and singing by the first chorus.
So, what am I missing? Share your all time favorite summer songs in the comments!
Filed in: eat, drink, be merry,read, watch, listen
I love Summertime by Will Smith and Fantastic Voyage by Coolio. I remember just driving around on those warm summer nights in high school listening to those songs.
Nicole – I almost forgot Fantastic Voyage existed – but it is a total fun summer song! Stef and I once paid $5 to pose with Coolio at a charity event at Virgin records when celebs manned the registers. We were only there to get a pic w/Matthew Fox during his Party of 5 days – but the Coolio polaroid stayed on the fridge for years!
Really good mix, girls! I personally feel like you can’t forget a little Beyonce in a Summer mix – Crazy in Love is a good booty shaker. The BeeGees Stayin Alive is always good too!
Speaking of Beyonce…
I’m not sure if Tyna didn’t have room for my other pick or she just didn’t like it (I bet the later!) but I am obsessed right now with Cazwell: I’ve Seen Beyonce at Burger King. Check out the video, it’s funny and catchy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWZm9SfGgSU
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That’s downright silly, Stef.
I LOVED Nenah Cherry! I can’t remember in what form i had it but we played it in my friends car ALL the time! I guess it had to be a cassette. I totally agree with the Go Go’s! you can never go wrong with them. The Sly and the Famly Stone doesn’t remind me of any of my summers but i remember my Aunt JoAnne absolutely LOVED that song. Every time it would come on she would say how it reminded her so much of her past summers.
For some reason, the summer makes me listen to Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias…Low Rider by Santana…and strangely enough something about the windows down blasting Def Leppard reminds me of summers when I was a kid.
Good picks ladies! Gotta love X.