Penny for your thoughts - What's your soundtrack this summer?

By Little G on Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 15:45

I can see you, your brown skin shining in the sun
You got that top pulled down and that radio on baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
DON HENLEY - Boys of Summer

Well, folks, Summer is here! I'm hoping you're all enjoying it.
I like to spend as much time outdoors as I can; boating, attending festivals, hanging out with friends.
It's also the time of the year most people are most likely to travel. Solo, with your partner or maybe with friends. Others take up some vacation time and hang out near home. Whatever floats your boat, right?

I don't care much for television during those months, but the one thing I can't live without is music. Whether I'm traveling by plane, Greyhound coach or train, and whether I'm staying in a hotel, hostel or at a friend's place: I need music. Music creates or enforces certain ambiances, and after a trip's long over certain songs serve as a reminder.
Like, whenever I hear U2's "Electrical storm" or "Do you get high?" by Holly McNarland it takes me back to that hot and beautiful Summer in Toronto, ON. And Theory of a Deadman's "Santa Monica" reminds of a hottie in Ottawa, ON. at another time.
NSYNC songs (I'm no fan of them, but they are so frickin' catchy) take me back to Beijing, China, several years ago, where another friend and I had a break after a grueling - but awesome - train ride, which we started in Moscow, Russia, before flying home.

Anyhow, a dear friend and I recently went on a little road trip; having missed the Saturday morning Farmer's Market due to unfortunate circumstances, we had a good excuse to drive up to Annapolis Valley - aka The Valley - for berries, apple cider and wine. It was overcast when we left on Sunday morning, and we crossed our fingers it wouldn't start raining (it didn't).
After we got some yummie strawberries for the inlaws we got back in the car, turned on the radio... And heard Serena Ryder singing "All for love". My day was perfect, and my dear friend had the perfect opportunity to tease me about my friendly crush I have on Ryder. She, on the other hand, has a thing for Katy Perry. (The car's equipped with both a Katy Perry and a Serena Ryder CD, by the way.)

O.K., I think you get the picture now. Are there any specific songs that remind you of a particular trip or a particular Summer?