Baby if you hold me, all of this will go away

Top ten albums which you can listen to, cover to cover, for five days straight. In no particular order...

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose

The Arcade Fire - Funeral

Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill

Daft Punk - Discovery

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell

Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak

Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down

Lets get together before we get much older

Here is a list of my favourite 15 songs to listen to in the sun. Particularly when in my little red motor; whether it’s off to start the summer day en route to see my best friend who lives an hour and a half away, or even when I find myself driving past the turning to my house just to have an extra 20 minutes in the car with the stereo to accompany my viewing of the gorgeous Cornish sunsets.

Dance Yrself Clean – LCD Soundsystem

There could not be a better suited opening track; to both the final album that was made by the fabulous James Murphy and co, and for a start of a sunny day. It begins slow as usual with LCD, but the wonderful suspense of the genius seven minute duration up to the inevitable bass explosion gets you from A to B with a hand punching the air and a shuffle in your seat. Listen to it loud.

Don’t Look Back Into The Sun – The Libertines

Possibly my favourite introduction to a song ever. Just a loud drum and a simple guitar tune to be joined by the wonderful combination of Doherty and Barat. Fabulous to walk with the rays falling on your shoulders.

How Do I Know – Here We Go Magic

Just a really laid back song, all components coming together to make a beauty of a track you just want to sway to under a sunset, eventually leading up to a more energetic thrusting. It will have you singing along with woooo-hooo-oooo.

Walking On A Dream – Empire of The Sun

So dream-like, definitely a good one for the progression of gears; I like it to start when I’m in a 30 zone approaching an A road. Another swayer, can’t quite sing along because the lyrics are unclear. One which is not, is “Never looking down, I’m just in awe of what’s in front of me”. Feel that sun, look at that road. Sometimes I skip it back to the beginning simply because it’s so seasonally delicious.

Keep The Car Running – The Arcade Fire

A nice little guitar to introduce all the other wonderful instruments used by the talented Canadian group. This is one I thrust my body forwards with, whilst tapping the steering wheel, and screaming along. The combination of sounds are perfect for that summer vibe.

Sticks ‘n’ Stones – Jamie T

Oh wow, so many elements. A poetic start to get you in the mood, similar to Walking On a Dream, I like to make the build up of speed to correlate with the build up of the song. Such great verses, such a great bridge, and when we finally get to the chorus, it does not fail to impress. RUNNING WITH BELIEVERS. I could dance to it all day every day, shouting out the window; you’re still my friend it’s impossible to hate you.

Green Garden – Laura Mvula

The lyrics just paints the picture of where you want to be, and the music takes you there, strutting along the way, until you have got to the garden, and you are dancing there like you used to. I go wherever you go, wherever you take me I go.

Ray of Light – Madonna

An absolute classic accompaniment to a beaming sun and motorway driving. Turn that indicator on and over take whilst you wiggle in your seat and you proclaim how you feel like you’ve just got home, because it’s true. Nothing better.

Plage – Crystal Fighters

Now, I think the majority of Crystal Fighter songs are fantastic for the desired season. They have nailed the whole ‘song completely embodying a summer feeling’. Another great build up of tapping growing into a full blown arm flinging affair. “Come over here with your heart, and I will love your heart with mine”. We’re probably in Barcelona, probably skinny dipping in the sea completely intoxicated, probably listening to this song. Take me there, I’ll do it.

Smile Upon Me –  Passion Pit

Another one that takes a dream like stance. I like listening to it when I’m going fast, and it’s going loud. Passion Pit’s lyrics really are my favourite; there’s a place in this world where people like me are fond of people like you.  Just got the tempo and vibe you need when the sun is shining. It makes you appreciative of your friends, and appreciative of the weather. Especially if you live in Britain.

Feel The Love – Rudimental

Great dance song and lovely little voice. Not really little, just an adjective I use to show affection. Booming track which was a great soundtrack to the summer of 2013. No one can deny it, you feel the love too.

Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root

Aw. Now this is one you clap and march to, maybe even skip round a pool table if you’re really feeling lucky. Indecipherable lyrics; but with that flute or whatever it is, you are in the country in the sun. Or maybe even in a toilet in a bar in New York, excited, and no one else caring. Turn it up and bloody dance around.

We Want – Skindred

College summers, driving with friends who have just passed their driving test. After the rap like introduction, you are bouncing. Bo bo.

Outside – Summer Camp

Haven’t had the pleasure of driving along to this yet, I have, however, chose it as my buddy as I walk to work on the most glorious afternoon. Nothing makes you want to take a detour more than this, lets go outside today. A simple melody with the upbeat tempo makes you just want to be where you should be. Outside.

Baba O’ Riley – The Who

My oldest favourite. Nothing says summer like The Who, being out there in the field.  Is it a piano at the beginning? Who cares. Listen to the piano after it. Listen to Daltrey. Is the sun shining? Yes it is. Listen to that drum roll, this is what life is all about. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, out comes the violin solo, leading to the most perfect stomp. The perfect summer soundtrack. Thanks Papa, for introducing me to the teenage wasteland. That sounds like he helped me get fucked up on drugs, he merely just said one day “listen to this”

I feel chirpy just writing this. I await leaving the house tomorrow with great haste; put out the fire and don’t look past my shoulder.