Soundtrack to Summer 2008

So a few years back MTV had televised VJ auditions. At that time I as a devoted TRL fan, watched religiously to see who the next MTV VJ would be. I remember sitting through each episode of the auditions. They seemed to go on forever with round after round.



All of a sudden one of the contestants said something so prolific. He was a stocky young black gentlemen who clearly had a love for all types of music. Because when he was asked "What does music mean to you?", he responded 'Music has always been there for me through good and bad times...Music is my soundtrack to life.'


Wow I thought...


"Music is the soundtrack to life."

I remember sitting there completely shocked. I remember wondering if he simply regurgitated that line from some album or something, but when I searched for the quote I came up empty. He just literally free styled one of the hottest lines I have ever heard. Although he never did win the job on MTV, he won my respect that day and forever changed my feelings towards music.

No matter what you are going through in life there is a song that covers the topic or captures the moment perfectly. My summer has been an experience that I will never forget. I had moments of triumph, defeat, laughter, love, and sheer bliss. Here are a few songs that helped complete every summer moment:

1. BABY by LL Cool J and Dream. I do the mean wop every time this song comes on! In the car, while I'm cleaning up the house, at a BBQ or a Beach Party. Every Friday, leaving work I put on my shades and drive around the corner. Once I get two traffic lights away from the office I BLAST this song. It's a celebration for another work week well done. Then later, as I get ready to make an entrance to an after work social of some sort...I play this song again lol. I am absolutely tempted to "Call the radio and tell 'em it's my song!"



2. GOLDEN by Chrisette Michele. Hmph :-) "No comment." This song always leaves me speechless. Here's a link to the song. If you don't have this album, consider yourself temporarily insane and then go to http://www.amazon.com/ for the cure. Can't wait for your next album -Chele! (Saw her in concert this summer. She was Fab!)


3. Summer Rain by Carl Thomas. A summer classic. When are you coming to NY Carl? http://www.ticketmaster.com/ . This song always brings me back to Summer 2000. A summer of change, a summer of love and a summer of accomplishment. I still play this album to conjure up fond memories.


4. Miss Independent by Ne-Yo. Not only is the video reminiscent of Boomerang (nice touch!). But I love the way Ne-Yo writes his songs. Very fluid. He's a storyteller. Miss Independent sounds like a conversation he is having with his friends. Very cool. Oh yea. This is clearly my Monday morning commute song.


5. Music for Love by Mario. The base line on this song is SICK! The metaphors are steamy and Mario's crooning is the sure sign of maturity. Isn't that what summer is all about? (maturity I mean lol).


6. Girls Around the World by Lloyd. Cool video. Gimmicky but hey its a cute BBQ song. Should be played right after "Summertime" by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff -the all time summer classic.


7. Lil Wayne....ANYTHING. Why is it that every time I turned on the radio this summer I heard Lil Wayne? Not that I don't like Wayne...I just don't want to turn to every radio station and hear the same song over and over again. In any case I heart "Mr. Carter" and my absolute favorite song from his latest album is "Comfortable" that features BABYFACE. If you can get Babyface on your hook nowadays. KUDOS. It's not like he needs the money LOL! Also, this song features a very hot line "Love. Live life. Proceed. Progress." Try and catch it in the song!.

There's more that made it to my play list this summer. But these few songs will hold a special place in my heart as my soundtrack to Summer 2008.

What's on your Summer 08 Soundtrack?

Honorable Mention: Summer 2007 ALL TIME R & B SONG....BED by J. Holiday. I really bought the album on the strength of that song! LOL. Shout out to Dream....

Purple Kisses! (another song by The Dream...just in case you didn't know)