That Summer Music that Changed it All

Summer is party time and…summer is here! Now that technology provides easy access to music of every spot and stripe, how do you choose what to play when you play? Below are some suggestions from the Dan’s Papers staff. We work and play hard. Enjoy!

For “Hamptons Epicure” Columnist and Dan’s Papers Sections Editor Stacy Dermont, summer memories often involve riding in the back of a pickup truck with the radio blaring. Whether going to a swimming hole, chicken barbeque or tractor pull, Creedence is in order. Specifically, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s hit singles, “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” “Green River,” “Born on the Bayou,” and “Bad Moon Rising.” Of course David Bowie is never out of place at a party. “Young Americans,” “Golden Years,” and “Let’s Dance” can really get the mirror ball rolling.

Dan’s Editorial Intern Alexandra Andreassen writes, “The golden sunshine, cruising around the Hamptons with the wind blowing through my hair, and a great song on the radio-that is the essence of summer to me. The song that most reminds me of summer is ‘I Gotta Feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas from their album The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies). It was very popular in 2009, which was the first summer that I had my driver’s license. Every time I hear that song, it conjures up memories of my newfound freedom, driving around with my younger sister and friends in tow. It seemed like whenever I got in the car that song was on the radio, and we sang along every time we heard it. No matter if I was going to Cooper’s Beach or to my summer job, it was exhilarating to finally be able to get around on my own. Couple that with the fun of the season, and it was one to remember. ‘I Gotta Feeling’ brings me back to this excitement, spending time with my best friends, and all the pleasures of a summer in the Hamptons.”

Dan’s Sales Manager Lori Berger is always up for a good rock n’ roll song. She hooks her Sirius portable to her stereo, turns on her outside speakers, and is the hostess with the mostest to the sounds of the 60s…Tommy James’ “Mony Mony,” The Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville,” Lulu’s “To Sir with Love,” Petula Clark’s “Downtown.” Oh yeah.

Dan’s Editorial Intern Jacqueline Duda says that “laid back, carefree living is what the summer months are meant for. Spending time on the beach soaking in the sun. Not having to worry about focusing on schoolwork and other academic and non-academic stressors that are accompanied by the cooler and less free-feeling months throughout the year. The epitome of this for myself is demonstrated through country music, and more specifically Keith Urban’s Golden Road album released in 2002. Growing up, country music always went hand in hand with the summertime lifestyle. Driving around with the windows down, my Dad at the wheel listening to country all-stars. When it came to the summer of 2007, the first summer I was able drive, playing country music through the speakers was a given. Golden Road became a favorite with the array of catchy tunes that, without fail, put a smile on my face. The album is a symbol of freedom and an easygoing time of life. Anytime a song from the album plays I can’t help but take a deep breath and reminisce on that teenage summer.”

When out on the her boat, Dan’s Papers Assistant to the Publisher and Events Coordinator, Ellen Dioguardi, likes to listen to Steely Dan’s greatest hits and Squeeze (especially “Pulling Mussels from a Shell”) while reading a book or Frank Sinatra (the Nelson Riddle arrangements) such as “Fly Me to the Moon” or “All of Me.” Or anything with Count Basie playing piano, when the fish aren’t biting and her husband wants to dance. The fish seem to prefer the radio to be tuned to National Public Radio’s comedy shows (everyone’s a music critic). Around the house Ellen admits the most recent trend has been to let iTunes Genius look at the very eclectic (Sinatra and Sarah Vaughn to Elvis Costello to Eric Clapton and beyond) mixture of tunes already downloaded to Ellen’s computer and make suggestions. Pandora is also a new favorite app. Mixing it up seems to be the musical rule in this household and as one friend commented after a party at Ellen’s house, “You never know what music is going to come out of that stereo.”