Anyone else get American Graffiti vibes at the end of the summer?
Although George Lucas’s slice of nostalgia was set in 1962 in California, anyone who has pulled a late summer all-nighter, trying to get that last feel of care free leisure before school or other obligations start up again can relate.
The coming Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer for many of us, and we need some music for the occasion. Try a few of my picks, old and new, I have enjoyed this summer and recommend adding to your own music lists:
“Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez
This crooner is just 19, and already channelling some classic sounds. He wrote this love song for his girlfriend, Georgia, also a songwriter. About a year ago it went viral on social media. Today, it is getting some well-deserved radio play.
“All My Favorite Songs” by Weezer
Hopefully, you didn’t spend too much time this summer on social media watching other people live their lives. This catchy and self-deprecating tune by Weezer shows a cautionary tale in its music video. We all need to get off that computer, make some real human friend connections, and experience some of the real world. This is great sing-along potential, though.
“If I Can Dream” by Maneskin
No one can belt this song by Elvis Presley like The King himself, but Italian glam rockers Maneskin did a worthy job for their contribution to the soundtrack of Baz Lurhmann’s Elvis.
“Sleepwalk” by Stray Cats
There have been plenty of covers of this dreamy Santo and Johnny instrumental, and one of the most faithful is by Stray Cats from their 1992 album Choo Choo Hot Fish. This wasn’t one of their most popular albums, but I like it. This “Sleepwalk” cover is another great example of how fantastic an instrumentalist Brian Setzer can be.
“Come On Eileen” (Remix) by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Can you believe “Come on Eileen” first came out 40 years ago…and that we’re all still jamming to it? I don’t care what anyone thinks of this song or band, when this song is on the radio, I’m turning it up and time traveling. That’s just what Dexy’s Midnight Runners just did this month, as they just re-released this song for their remixed version of the album Too-Rye-Ay, As It Should Have Sounded coming in October.
No matter what generation you’re from, there’s just a certain feel to that end-of-summer nighttime vibe we all remember. Maybe it was cruisin’ the main streets of your city or small town. Perhaps it was parking your vehicles in a circle near a gravel road with the headlights forming a makeshift dance floor. Maybe it was following the crowd to a park or other gathering place.
Where ever and whenever your favorite it end-of-summer night memories were, I hope there were friends, I hope there was laughter, and if you’re lucky, I hope there was music.