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!

A-Z '13 - Pressure Down & Put Yourself in My Place

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "P" and I have selected two songs (as well as quite a looong list of honourable mentions!):

Pressure Down - John Farnham



Put Yourself in My Place - Kylie Minogue


I saw John Farnham as a little kid, at the long-gone Perth Entertainment Centre. My little brother kept falling asleep - mum had to wake him up for his favourite songs. Anyway, "Farnsy" as we call him (we have Farnsy, Barnsy and more recently, Nollsy. hehe) is a total Aussie legend, but mention of him usually reminds me that people often confuse my surname with his. I even got asked once if I was related to him. "Yeah, he's my uncle," I said, but it's not true. Anyway, "Pressure Down" was one of his greatest hits, and I still love it today. As for Kylie Minogue? Well, I can't say I'm a big fan of her music, but this song is actually one I really, truly love. It's the best song she ever did that I've heard, and I find the video clip quite mesmerising as well!

Honourable mentions:

• Paper Aeroplane by Angus & Julia Stone
• Peaches & Cream by the John Butler Trio
• Photograph by Something For Kate
• Physical by Olivia Newton-John
• Pick You Up by Powderfinger
• Please Leave by Jebediah
• Pleasure and Pain by Divinyls
• Post-Enebriated Anxiety by Grinspoon
• Pyschoactive Summer by Def FX
• Pulse by Front End Loader
• Punch in the Face by Frenzal Rhomb
• Purple Sneakers by You Am I
• Pyramid by Wolfmother

I'm Hearing Voices blogfest - part 3 (+ I'll Tumble 4 Ya blogfest)

Yep, I've doubled up and have two blogfests to answer to today! Skip to the bottom of this post if you want to see my entry for the I'll Tumble 4 Ya blogfest - and if you're interested in finding out who my 80s crushes were! hehehehe
But first, here is my piece of flash fiction (249 words in Scrivener), for the third and final I'm Hearing Voices installment. I'll say now that it's been a great blogfest, and I have read some awesome entries for the first 2 parts. Next I shall be reading your entries for the 3rd part, of course, but for now...here's mine (again from the point of view of my character Mason, whose first name is actually Anthony, but moving on...):

---

          One thing I’ve learned since the world turned to crap is that laughter is the best medicine.

          Back in the days of TLC (when I truly believed love is all you need), I worked for the wrongest team in the history of wrong teams. I spouted all sorts of bullcrap and pissed people off (I rocked at it).

          Then, the Apocalypse, and I was suddenly eating all those words I used to spout. Sort of like how mobsters eat bullets, ya know? (Not necessarily by choice). Tender Loving Crap turned to wit-shattering terror. I even pissed my pants. But slowly the numbness descended, and I took to the streets, searching for sharp edges: Understanding. Acceptance. Direction.

          I just found anger

          And a new family (not in that order).

          These people started stalking me, out in the open—(My initial assessment? Morons). But they wanted me to see them.

          To…lead them.

          Cue righteous indignation (or entitled prickdom). ‘Cause Like I need MORE problems, right? But they stared at me with their big, scared eyes, and I caved.

          That was when anger washed out and laughter washed in. Yep, I started laughing. ‘Cause sometimes it’s all you can do. No time to fall down crying. So just laugh.

          It is good medicine. I’ll stand by that one till the day I die.

          But listen, that’s all I’ve got time for. We’re going grocery shopping. ‘Cause Misovic needs more batteries (and a sense of humour).

          Aw come on. That’s funny.

---

And now, for the big reveal of my 80s crush(es):

(source)

This is no joke. While I did love the cartoon, my crush on the heroes in a half shell only got going for realz when the first feature film came out (incidentally, I still adore the soundtrack for that movie - I even own it on CD!). It was really cool when I was in year 5 and 6 to draw the TMNT characters. But I was never any good at it (I'm still inclined to believe because I can't draw guys for crap - not even turtle guys).

I'll also admit to a tiny little crush on Australian musical icon John Farnham in the Whispering Jack era (hey, sue me, I was 6 when it was released! hehehe):

(source)