Music Meme: A Song That Reminds You of Summer

 There are so many summer songs out there. And every year brings new ones that must be added to the list. I guess it's because summer is the season of parties, when you get to be carefree and just hang out. I certainly have a few songs that signify summer. They always remind me of those long, lazy days. Back when I wasn't working for a living and could actually a few months off from the rest of life.

First there's Smooth by Santana, featuring Rob Thomas. This song came out back when I was in middle school. It didn't even come out during the summer, but I feel like I've always associated it with the hottest season. Maybe it has something to do with the video. Either way, it never feels like it's officially summer until this song comes on the radio.

The next song on my summer play list is Maroon 5's Harder to Breathe. Actually, their entire first CD, Songs About Jane. I received it shortly after finishing high school and listened to it all summer long. I can barely remember listening to anything else that summer, though I'm sure I did. Any time I hear Maroon 5, I'm transported back to those post high school, pre college days.

A more recent summer jam is Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead. Again, I'm not sure this song was even released in the summer. But it's the perfect song for a hot, summer afternoon.

Finally, my most recent summer anthem is a song that came out last year. Kevin spent most of the summer in Alabama and his mom was out of the country for about a month, leaving me to feed her cat. It seemed like every time I drove over to her house Jason Aldean's Dirt Road Anthem came on my radio, which is impressive as it only takes about five minutes to drive to her place from mine. I think this song was just all over the radio, and I was spending a lot of time in my car. Either way, it makes me think of a warm, summer evening.