If you’ve been in earshot at some of my recent music gigs or trapped in my car with me, you’ll know that my summer soundtrack is going to be anything remixed by the genius Fred Falke, especially his remix of last year’s Heavy Cross by The Gossip. As I was listening to it for about the 100th time, and having just convinced my man that he likes it, I got to thinking of Summer’s past and what makes something a big gay summer jam.
Handclaps (Walking on Sunshine, Summer Love by JT) just make you wanna put your hands in the air like you just may not really care, or maybe you do. Either way it sparks a carefree attitude in all of us.
Walking on Sunshine – Extended Mix
Summer Love
A little seductive Spanish or French (La Isla Bonita, Your Disco Needs You) immediately takes you to a swanky beach party in your head where Diego or Jean Luc whisper dirty european thoughts in your ear while slathering you with oil and serving you Cinzanno. But use protection. I know where Diego’s been.
La Isla Bonita – Live 2008
Your Disco Needs You (Casino Mix)
Samples of house piano or lilting strings (Summer Night City, Stomp, all Crystal Waters) have been a summer jam trick since the disco era. That 70’s fire island disco engrained in our gay noggins may be why it still works.
ABBA’s Summer Night City
Brothers Johnson’s Stomp
And finally: Jangly guitar riffs (Summerfling/kd lang/Ananda mix, Beautiful by Jask). Maybe its my love of Django Reinhart or George Benson but that jazzy, lazy guitar sound makes me go limp in my hammock and firm in my junk. Besides a muscle bear and 3 martini’s, it’s the thing most likely to get me dancing with my shirt off!
Summerfling (Ananda Mix)
Beautiful by Jask
Have a happy, clappin’ Summer!
chadlybrown
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Dancing About Architecture 