Bengaluru’s musicians share their choice of music for the sizzling season
It’s that time of the year again. Along with the soaring temperatures, the welcome heat and the feel-good vibe of the season, the summer also heralds in a time of switching over to new songs. What’s summer without a soundtrack? With the sun shining, people heading to beaches and the bright happiness in the air that makes you feel like making the city yours today, the summer song is one of the season’s truest pleasures. From Bryan Adam’s ‘Summer of ‘69’ and Billy Stewart’s ‘Summertime’ to Enya’s ‘Caribbean Blue’ and Justin Timberlake’s ‘Summer Love’, the sunny days have always invoked an appeal to pen down new songs which have grown to become summer’s anthemic records. MetroPlus talks to Bengaluru’s musicians to take their pick of unshakeable hits that make their sizzling summers memorable.
Alternative Rock band Solder’s Siddharth Abraham believes his best song for the season is ‘In The Summertime’ by Mungo Jerry. “It’s a very groovy song. Whenever I listen to it, it appeals to me with its brilliant feel and it perfectly suits the weather. Summer has a very happy vibe to it. It’s about being in the sun, having fun in the holiday time where you get to relax and hang out with friends and family. This song hits the mark spot on.”
Wesley Newton from multi-genre original music band River Man Band says he didn’t even know he had a favourite summer song until now. “I listen to music that I love. But there is this one album that reminds me of summer a lot. It’s a DVD titled Ten Summoner’s Tales. This is Sting’s country album recorded live at his English country house called Lake House in Wiltshire, England. It’s a live gig with musicians from the countryside. It’s a beautiful album and very influential in my repertoire as well. I end up listening to it a lot, especially in summer.”
On the contrary, Bruce Lee Mani from Bangalore Rock band Thermal And A Quarter loves to listen to winter songs in summer. “There’s a song by Blood Sweat and Tears called ‘Sometimes In Winter’ that I would love to listen on a hot summer day. I wouldn’t want to listen to a hot song on a hot day. It’s got a great vibe with a relaxed Bangalore kind of mood to it. It’s very in the park, under the shade, smooth kind of song.”
Raghu Dixit from the lungi-clad contemporary folk band Raghu Dixit Project differs from the rest and says he doesn’t have such songs. “Summer or rain, my musical taste doesn’t vary according to the seasons. I don’t know if people have summer and winter songs. That would be unreal for me.”
Ashley Joseph from new classic rock act Nothin But Trouble feels this is a tough question. “But if there is one song that I would choose then it would be the song I’m tripping on right now - ‘Rock This Town’ by The Stray Cats. It’s a jive number. And since the heat is getting everyone on their toes, people should just put on their dancing shoes and dance their summer away.”
So put on your headphones, tune into your favourite sizzler for the season and make it the best summer ever!
My Five
Summer Rain – Cliff Richards
Wake Me Up When September Ends– Green Day
Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
Turn Up The Music – Point Of Grace
This Is Your Time - Michael W. Smith
