The Lincoln Center’s Favorite Summer Tunes

Summer is on, and The Lincoln Center is jamming to our favorite tunes for the heat and the sun!

“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

Mikala:

This song is on basically every summer road trip CD I have ever burned, so I instinctively roll the car windows down and scream the chorus every time it comes on. Sorry in advance if you’re ever in the car with me…we’ll make it, I swear.

“Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Jack:

Cliché?  Probably.  Summer doesn’t officially start for me however until the first beautiful day when I can fire up the grill while listening to Bob Marley.  Written and released in the final year of his life, the track would be the biggest commercial success that Marley would see in his lifetime.  Opening with a choppy lead guitar line and talking drums that make you stop and listen, the Wailers’ irrepressible bounce quickly carries you away.  The I-Three’s exquisite harmonies provide perfect backing and counterpoint to the Rastaman’s voice and in typical roots reggae style deliver some thoughts to chew on as well.  “The road of life is rocky, and you may stumble too, but while you’re pointing fingers someone else is judging you.”

“One Week” by The Barenaked Ladies

Robin:

It’s very silly but it always makes me smile when I hear it. I read later that Ed and Steve wrote it while they were camp counselors – so it’s definitely a summer song!

“Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet

Eddie: 

I can’t help but think of my toes in the sand and an ocean breeze; I mean what’s more summer than that? I have to admit, “Cheeseburger in Paradise” is definitely a close second, but give me a lounge chair, beach, and “Margaritaville” playing in the background any day and I’m instantly transported to summer!

“Boys of Summer” by Don Henley

Gina:

I met my husband the year it was released working as a lifeguard after my freshman year in college.  I still associate that song and the video’s imagery with that summer in the desert (and the boy).  Stuck with the job for three more summers and the boy for 30+…

“Downtown” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Lyn:

Because mopeds! And because riding a scooter, in a tank top!

“Black Water” by The Doobie Brothers

Jeanne:

I have this memory of traveling between Santa Barbara and San Francisco on my way home from my freshman year, windows down, ocean on my left, and singing the miles away.

“In the Summertime” by Jerry Mungo

Victoria:

It’s a summer classic and who doesn’t love singing along to this ‘70s gem? “Chh chh-chh, Uh! Chh chh-chh, Uh!” Now that just feels right!

“Cruel Summer” by Banarama

Alison: 

My whole summer as a kid was usually spent watching music videos on MTV, and this song always played at least once a day! Loved it then, and I love it now!

“Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan

Jill:

Oldie but goodie from my summer’s past.

“In Thee” by Blue Oyster Cult

Megan: 

I used to listen to Blue Oyster Cult driving around with friends in the summertime when I was in High School. Their song “In Thee” was the song that reminds me most of the summer because it was more upbeat than most of their songs, and it’s just the kind of song you listen to when you’re traveling in your car with all of you windows down

“Surfin’ USA” by The Beach Boys

DeeDee:

I’m silly in that I don’t have a favorite, but songs by the Beach Boys very much put me in a summer frame of mind. Also, “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett.