If temperatures in the 80s across the Mid-Atlantic coupled with all kinds of humidity didn't give it away, then the calendar surely will: it's Memorial Day weekend, and summer's officially here. Once known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day presents the opportunity to indulge in the great American summer past times: baseball games, cookouts, parades, and trips to the beach. Be sure to enjoy yourself, but take a minute to think of and thank those veterans who lost their lives in service. If it wasn't for them, we'd be speaking German or be forced to use the metric system or care about royal weddings (although, to be fair, plenty of Americans care about rich familial dynasties that are coasting off successes in ages gone by).
And now, some summer jams for your three-day weekend:
1) Sly & the Family Stone "Hot Fun in the Summertime"
2) Martha & the Vandellas "Dancing in the Street"
Often imitated (one can only imagine how much coke Mick and Bowie were on here), but never duplicated.
3) Martha & the Vandellas "(Love is Like a) Heatwave"
Always considered to be the poor man's Supremes, but between "Dancing in the Street," "Heatwave," "Nowhere to Run," and "Jimmy Mack," that's a career to be proud of.
4) Kool & the Gang "Summer Madness" / Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff "Summertime"
Yes, they made other songs (and better songs) than "Celebration." Jazz and Will knew that if you wanted to make a summer jam, you might as well sample one of the greats.
6) People Under the Stairs "Anotha' BBQ"
You bring the beef and I'll bring the brew. Hats off to Soul Sides for finding this gem.
7) The Hold Steady "Constructive Summer"
Because summer jams aren't limited to soul or rap. And who doesn't like a guy whose friends are like "Double whiskey Coke, no ice"?
As Finn says, let this be the annual reminder that we can all be something bigger. We're gonna build something this summer.
Yours in Eastern League baseball,
J.J. Gittes
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