Temperama

Littlebear's Song

How could I have forgotten to invite frequent commenter Littlebear to contribute a Summer Song? What kind of a monster have I become? And will she forgive me now I've re-opened the series for just long enough to correct my crass omission? She writes: "Let's see...Summer is hot and so is Ricky Martin. Is that a good enough connection? It's in Spanish, but translates very well indeed. Tell the women that if they have a chronic heart condition or, perhaps, asthma -- caution is advised. Puerto Rican Spanish is so pretty. Just ignore the weird sweatband on his head. Don't know WHAT that's about. Anyways, it has lyrics which include lines like, 'Shake you hips little brown girl - today we are all colors....Let the drums move your hips.' You get the picture."

Yikes! I did!

Dave's Song Continued

And so, to complete my Summer Songs series, here's the naffest pop hit of my adolescence.

And here's the smoochiest

Mmm, still love that last one. And just because Tony Blackburn does too does not make me a bad person, OK? Thanks to everyone who contributed to the series. Let's do it again some time.

Ario's Song

The former Yellow Duck writes: "This is the first single I ever bought. I used to listen to it incessantly in the summer holiday between leaving primary school and starting secondary school. I still love the positivity of the song: don't conform, it's alright to be yourself, even if you have a funny haircut. Added bonus: listening to this it used to drive my parents up the wall..."

Ario blogs here.

Clive's Song

Mr Davis writes: "Definitely not to be confused with the abysmal remake featuring a gallumphing rapper, here's the definitive version of the Brazilian classic - written by Jorge Ben, but forever synonymous with Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66. Now, if only the England football team could adopt this as their national anthem, we might stand a chance of winning the World Cup again one of these days."

Clive Davis blogs here.

Sheila's Song

Ms Fitzsimons says: "I like this one because it reminds me of all the gorgeous boyfriends I had in Ireland when I was a fresh-faced teenager and almost as attractive as I am now."*

Sheila Fitzsimons is still married to me. Just.

*Quote made up by Sheila's husband.

Dave's Song

Mr Hill writes: "I heard Steely Dan's laconic Barrytown over a supermarket's sound system while in France. Dig that irony. And now I recall listening to this a lot during the summer of 1977, the year I was confirmed in my unattractive love for dark sarcasm. The song's about the downfall of a San Francisco acid baron. But what I liked about it was its slick, knowing attitude. That, and a certain plaintiveness."

Dave Hill blogs here and here and, uh, here.

Norm's Song

Mr Geras writes: "Not because the song is about summer, but because the Beach Boys for me, more than any other band, are summer, and 'I Can Hear Music' makes me think of summers at the end of the Sixties."

Norman Geras blogs here.

Chris's Song

Mr Dillow writes: "I love everything about Jolie Holland. Her first album, Catalpa, is one of the greatest acts of genius of the last few decades. Crush in the Ghetto isn't on that. But it reminds me of being in love, the summer and living in inner-city Leicester and Manchester. She only recorded it last year, but like most of Jolie's songs, it's existed for years."

Chris Dillow blogs here and writes books too.

Marie's Song

Ms Philips writes: "Sly and the Family Stone are the ultimate summer band - they actually taste like summer. Here is a medley starting with my favourite 'Hot Fun In The Summertime'!"

Marie Philips blogs here. She writes novels too.

Sunny's Song

Mr Hundal writes: "Why do I love this song? Because it's so relaxed. Because it's about hanging out with your loved ones and having fun outside. Because the lyrics are funny and cheeky. It's the kind of track you can dance to when you are 90."

Sunny Hundal blogs here and here and here and just about everywhere else.