Show Notes
Because they did me the favor of visiting me, I forced a good 40% of my extended family into the ol' podcast studio to discuss our favorite songs about America and the summertime, but mostly the summertime.
Hang ten and put your wayfarers on for a deep conversation on topics like what's the opposite of America, when's the best time to barbeque, is Dave Matthews music a substitute for Ambien, and just how awesome is a bottle of Zima? And in a They're Playing Our Song first: country music! Then a somber tangent about regret, past joys, and growing up as summer vacation hits the halfway point.
Please very much nostal-joy!
If you want to join us in thinking fondly about the songs we discussed, here's the final list:
"It Must Be Summer" by Fountains of Wayne (Rob's choice) "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys (Heejean's choice) "Hot Fun In the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone (Brendon's choice) "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Justin's choice) "Heavy Metal Drummer" by Wilco (Diana's choice) "Cold Beverage" by G. Love and Special Sauce (Jessica's choice) "Summertime" by Kenny Chesney (Mike's choice) "The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley (Sara's choice) "Summersong" by The Decemberists (Rob's original summer choice)
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More from They're Playing Our Song
Special guest, Diana Parry-Cruwys, finally gets another chance to pick a song of her very own with this week's "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) by alt-country, prolific rocker, Ryan Adams. Not the guy who sang "Summer of '69". We discuss how unlike My Bloody Valentine this song is, how hard it is to pick just one song when you write an album a year, how drugs are bad. Stay in school kids.
Even though she's been our special guest more than anyone else, poor Diana Parry-Cruwys has only gotten to pick one song all on her own. Well, we're making up for it by talking about Ryan Adams' "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)" this week. Diana then fell asleep before we could record and I forgot to post the preview blurb...so we're going to be a little late this week. Please don't think this reflect poorly on how much I appreciate my wife's taste in music.
A return visit from Jack Every to the TPOS studio gets us bringing the funk. Noise may be brought as well. Regardless, we spend a pleasant time talking about the amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' "I Learned the Hard Way". What makes this modern take on the Motown sound so cool? And does anybody know how to make a hang-up click on a cell phone? We're plumbing unknown genres this week, folks! Also, a rare TV recommendation unrelated to music but correlated with deliciousness.
Returning guest and math teacher extrordinaire, Jack Every, returns to ensure the unrepresented genre of Motown gets its due by talking with us about Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings "I Learned the Hard Way", a song I had never heard of before last week. Which is reason enough to listen in.
After comparing our local classic rock stations (RIP, radio), super-guest and music encyclopedia, Chris Hornbostel, and I get into the deep talk about The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". Buy why is it an amazing song? Not just because it captures the turmoil of the 60's, not just because it's a secretly scary song, not just because of Keith Richards blusey, jazzy guitar, not just because of Mick Jagger's excellent lyrics, not just because of Merry Clayton's virtuouso performance, not just because of Charlie Watts' perfect snare beats, but...well, listen to the episode to find out. Let's celebrate the end of the peace and love era together, shall we?