For someone who is not a big fan of sunshine, especially the bright, hot kind that seems to insist on you being cheerful even though your mood is the farthest thing from it, I do seem to have an inordinate amount of songs in my library that have to do with sun and sunshine and sunny weather or temperaments. It would be a mistake to think that it's because somewhere deep down, I am really a happy-clappy person. I think it's probably because most of the songs aren't actually of the happy-clappy kind that they appeal to me.
So, out of the 30-plus songs at my immediate disposal (i.e. in my head, that I can recall easily) here is a random selection. I think you should listen to them walking in the pouring rain.
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Let's start off with a classic, shall we? Two things I've always liked about this song: one that it really does sound like he is lazing around and two, the run on singing from one verse to another, makes it seem as if he can't even be bothered to pause, he's so chill. You have to love the promo video, too. Even they knew when to sing it, hah!
Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks
Moving on to a lesser played, or even known, song from a very well known album and band. Again, this album (Stand Up) was one of the ones uncovered in the basement forays. There was some seriously good taste that went into the collections we discovered.
Look into the Sun - Jethro Tull
Okay skipping ahead quite a bit in time. Will Ferrell once asked, "Is Oasis not the greatest band?", playing a daft MP in an SNL sketch. Well, no, they're not. Look past the heated discussions over their originality or lack of, and whether they are just a really successful but ultimately cheap Beatles knock-off or a rightful heir to the Beatles sound (and defintely look past their self-satisfied selves) and you have a band that's put out music that's quite enjoyable. Sometimes even in the sun. So I've heard.
Turn Up the Sun - Oasis
Weezer can be a tad bit overrated at times by their fans, but I apply to them the same rule I do as Oasis and come away with the same conclusion. (Or, possibly, with an additional qualifier that they make pretty good, quite enjoyable music!). This song almost makes me want to listen to it in the sun, but it would have to be in a top down car, on a cool day with lots of white clouds, a nice breeze and then, sure, I can stand the sun coming in and out every so often.
Island in the Sun - Weezer
I don't have a lot to say about this next one, because sometimes, things should just be heard (and possibly seen) but not spoken about. (The actual video is here, if you are so inclined.)
Seven Days in Sunny June - Jamiroquai
Here.
Finally, here is the most recent addition to the library, so brand new that there's no youtube for it! It's a little happy-clappy lyrically, but I always like the multi note singing of a single word, like she does with the word 'sunshine', and the chorus does that little minors chords thing that stops a song from being too upbeat.
Sunshine - Amy Cook
