Well, the first official first day of summer is just around the corner so I think now's as good a time as ever to go over the candidates for the "Song of the Summer". Summertime and music go hand in hand as millions of Americans are out and about enjoying the good weather and listening to their favorite tunes. Every summer there seems to be one song that stands out from the rest and is forever associated with that particular year. For instance, when I think back to the summer of 1988, "She Drives Me Crazy" from The Fine Young Cannibals immediately pops into my head. When I think of the summer of 1996, it's hard not to start humming and dancing the "Macarena" by Los Del Rios. And when I remember the summer of 2000 I of course think of Doug Henning, because that's the year he died.
2004 offers a whole new summer's worth of songs. While history will decide just what song will forever be associated with the summer of 2004, we can still take a look at some of the likely contenders and break down each of their chances.
"Float On" by Modest Mouse
FOR: Boisterous, loud and full of energy. The song has an infectious guitar lick, and a chorus that is easy and fun to sing-a-long to.
AGAINST: Might be too indy-sounding to crack the Top 40.
"I Don't Wanna Know" by Mario Winans
FOR: A Sexy and smooth song with an urban beat that can be heard thumping the speakers of many car stereos during hot summer nights.
AGAINST: The song samples Enya. Enya is like the wintriest singer of all-time.
"Accidentally in Love" by Counting Crows
FOR: Incredibly catchy and feel good. It's also on the "Shrek 2" soundtrack, which is quickly becoming the "Movie of Summer 2004".
AGAINST: Everybody hates lead singer Adam Duritz.
"Jesus Walks" by Kanye West
FOR: Could ride the Jesus wave started since Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".
AGAINST: Athiests are enormous record buyers in the summertime.
"Leave (Get Out)" by JoJo
FOR: R&B pop from a white teenage girl tends to do well with all sorts of demographics. Fact that it's an empowering song about a girl sending off her cheating boyfriend doesn't hurt its chances either.
AGAINST: I can't seriously invest in a song by somebody named "JoJo".
"100 Years" by Five for Fighting
FOR: Poignant, inspirational ballad.
AGAINST: Song sucks.
"Ch-Check it Out" by the Beastie Boys
FOR: Beastie Boys are the kings of summer music and their new offer seems ready-made for another "Song of the Summer" trophy.
AGAINST: They're like 50 now, right? I think it's time they take a long look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that they're the Beastie Men.
"Medley: ABC, Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star, Bah-bah Black Sheep" by The Chosen One
FOR: Barely a second doesn't go by that The Chosen One is not singing this medley in my house. It's virtually never-ending.
AGAINST: Drives me up a fricking wall. Sure it's cute and whatnot, but come on, man: let's break out a little "Old MacDonald" every once in a while to mix things up. Plus he sounds like a three-year old Adam Duritz. Not good.
This post is dedicated to Bob Barker.
