Flickr Shot by Today is a good day
What: Sly and the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime”
Who: Those dying from the heat who have access to a grassy lawn and sprinklers.
When/Where: The Valley, the Inland Empire, suburbia front lawns everywhere or city streets with an open fire hydrant during this scorcher of a summer.
Why: It just sounds like the perfect song for a slow-mo montage of kids running and splashing through sprinklers or a gushing fire hydrant, people sitting on porches laughing and drinking iced tea and riots of water balloon fights. The slow pace of this 1969 hit evokes heat-induced lethargy when you only have enough energy to try to keep cool.
What: “Summertime Rolls” by Jane’s Addiction from Nothing’s Shocking
Who: Surfers and other crazies who like to be up at the crack of dawn on a weekend morning.
When/Where: In the early AM when you’re driving on that stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Zuma.
Why: Jane’s Addiction music basically goes with any surfing moment and this slower song matches the drive to the beach before you catch some waves. Goes perfect with the pink hues of dawn on a nice lazy drive when there’s no traffic on the PCH just yet to interfere with this meditative moment. There’s just you on the road and the surfers waiting in the water with the occasional dolphin sighting.
What: “Lost Cause” by Beck
Who: Stranded Angelenos staring at rainy days through their windows.
When/Where: Today! or any ol’ rainy day when you’re stuck indoors.
Why: This song is so sad and mellow. I can just imagine sitting on a couch watching the drops of rain run down the window pane. You want to go outside, but what exactly can you do when it’s wet out? L.A. drivers are scarier in the rain, some of the most fun things to do in the city are best reserved for a non-rainy day, and who wants to get wet? Mourn the lost day with Beck and his guitar.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Make way for the cheese.
What: “At Last” by Etta JamesWho: For all you young lovers out there on this Valentine’s Day.
When/Where: After that romantic V-Day dinner when you go for an evening stroll with your sweetheart along the beach and then spontaneously slow dance together under the full moon.
Why: The violins, the lyrics, Etta’s voice all blend together perfectly to make the most beautiful love song. “My heart was wrapped up in clovers, the night I looked at you…” Le sigh! The swaying rhythm of it evokes an image of a couple holding each other and rocking slowly to the music, oblivious to the world around them.
Cough, cough..ack! Too. Much. Cheese. OK, as you were.
What: Tomoyasu Hotei’s “Battle Without Honor or Humanity”
Who: Those about to do battle….or those about to rock, whether you’re the screenwriter about to make the big pitch, the scrawny kid about to confront the big bully, or simply someone about to cross the room because you didn’t like the way that bastard in the corner looked at you.
When/Where: During the long walk to where this throwdown is about to go down.
Why: It makes you feel like a bad ass. And I just imagine walking down, no, strutting down, an alley in slow motion with my girls behind me ready to back me up, if for some reason I need it. Not likely, but you never know.
Before my friend Marianna departed for London for half a year, she shared with me this little story. She, a big fan of music, was giving her guy friend a music makeover by taking him CD shopping when he asked her up front, “So which CD will get me laid?” “Robert Miles’ Dreamland” was her fast reply. Later when she saw her friend again, she asked him if he got any because of that CD. “Ohhh yeahhh,” was his smug answer.
What: Robert Miles’ Dreamland
Who: Baby bachelors and bachelorettes.
When/Where: After a date when you’ve brought your conquest back to your place for a “night cap.”
Why: According to Marianna, it is the perfect soundtrack from seduction to happy ending. When I asked her if she could be more specific, she only offered, “It’s just a fabulous CD.” ‘Nuff said.
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What: “Switch” by Will Smith, “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott, “My Humps” by The Black-Eyed Peas
Who: All right, wake-up songs will differ for every individual, but me? I like the booty-shaking ones, even if it means that my dancing is confined to the desk.
When/Where: At work with your headphones on, of course.
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Why: Because you didn’t get enough sleep the night before and that venti latte did absolutely nothing for you.
