Songs of Summer blog hop ~ my 5(+1) summer songs

Welcome to the Songs of Summer bloghop, hosted by the Armchair Squid, Cygnus and Suze.  On Friday, July 11, 2014, please join us by posting 5 of your favourite summer songs and sharing some memories about them.  Maybe between us, we can build the perfect soundtrack to accompany us over the next few months.  If possible, include links so we can hear these gems.  And, if you're in the southern hemisphere, join us to dance those winter blues away! 

- the Armchair Squid

I am indeed in the southern hemisphere, but unlike most people on the planet, I prefer winter to summer. ;) That doesn't mean I can't appreciate a bloody good summer tune. I actually seem to have particular artists that make me think of summer, not just particular songs. Anyway, here are five songs in my playlist that make me think of summer:


The Ataris - Boys of Summer (Don Henley cover)
Why a summer song? I guess partly 'cause it has the word 'summer' in the title. It's also a song that is "set" in summertime.


John Farnham - Touch of Paradise
Why a summer song? Well, the video clip has someone swimming in a pool. And some of the lyrics talk about flamingos. And there's mention of the sun, even if the sun is hiding. ;)


The Smashing Pumpkins - Sunkissed
Why a summer song? Well, it talks about the sun, and when I listen to this song I can totally imagine sitting on a beach with my headphones plugged in, or driving along with the song blasting from my speakers, or ... going on an epic road trip down the coast.


Unwritten Law - California Sky
Why a summer song? Well, it's about a sky in California. Seriously! Also, Unwritten Law happen to be the one band that reminds me most of summer. So yeah.


Everclear - Santa Monica
Why a summer song? Again, it mentions a place in California. It mentions palm trees. It all reminds me of summer. I also live on the west coast, though in Australia, not America, so I can relate to dreaming of the west coast. ;)


Now, just in case you can't see the Farnsy clip (since it's Australian and sometimes you people seem to have trouble seeing Aussie vid clips), I thought I'd just tack on one more song because ... yes, I like to cheat, and I hate leaving out awesome songs. :D So anyway, this is another song that just reminds me of the molten ocean in summer, so I thought I'd share it too:


Catherine Wheel - Salt
Why a summer song? It just sounds magical and beautiful and mysterious to me - like the ocean is. And it takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes - like the ocean at sunset does!

Sunday Session #6 ... and SATC

It's Sunday, and time for me to share the songs I've listened to most in the last week. This week the number one position was taken by a song that was featured previously in session #4 - Catherine Wheel's "Salt". Definitely one of my all-time faves, but as it's already been featured I will skip to the runners-up this week instead (and yes, it's another tie):

• Catherine Wheel, "Texture" - from the same album as "Salt", and I'd have to say my favourite CW album of all of them!
• Weezer, "The World Has Turned And Left Me Here" - Weezer are sort of cute and dorky while at the same time being rather rockin'. I think this song sums that up nicely. Very fun lyrics, even though the song appears to be about being dumped.
• Cold, "Anatomy of a Tidal Wave" - I think I have heard about 3 songs by Cold, and I don't really know anything about the band. But I do know that I love this song!

Anyway, that's it for another Sunday Session! Now I want to mention that I just finished re-watching SEX AND THE CITY, the series, and it was one of those situations where you're compelled to keep watching just so you can get it over with and get back to "real life". I was compelled, of course, because I love the show, but I'm kind of glad my re-watch is done! Now I need to watch the movie again. And incidentally, I'm not a huge fan of the second movie, but I guess it had its moments.

Happy weekend everyone, and if you've left comments in the last few days for various blogfests and I haven't left any for you, don't worry, I'll get to your blog!

Sunday Session #4

It's Sunday, which means it's time for me to share with you guys the songs I've been listening to most over the last week. This week it's a tie again, but only between two songs. Well, really there are three, but one of them was featured in last week's session ("Shooting Shark"), so I'll just feature the remaining two:

These songs are from two of my favourite bands, Catherine Wheel and Alice in Chains. I discovered Catherine Wheel by accident one day when I was looking for a song by the Chicago band Catherine. Instead I downloaded Catherine Wheel's "Black Metallic", which remains one of my favourite songs today. From there, I acquired more of CW's stuff and they have currently reached #7 on my list of overall favourite bands (according to Last.fm).

As for Alice in Chains, well I discovered them after the Australian band Silverchair hosted the music show Rage one night, and played a selection of video clips from their favourite artists (Alice in Chains being one). The song "It Ain't Like That" is one I overlooked for years (since it's on an AIC album I also overlooked for years, Facelift), but in recent years has become one of my favourites. Alice in Chains are listed as #9 on my overall favourites list.

And that's it for another Sunday Session! I hope everyone's having a great weekend! Mine is almost over, and I have to brave the public tomorrow with my black eye and mildly swollen forehead region. Thankfully the sutures come out on Friday!