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.

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.

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.