Summer Lovin'

May 29, 2007

Does everyone remember the days of the “Thong Song”? Good lord what were we thinking … I swear that set us back as a society about 10 years or so. Never before have so many people adored a glossed-up, bouncing booty and the platinum dancing midget who apparently craved them so. With the temperature rising and the prevalence of skin becoming more apparent on the streets, it got me reminiscing about my days long, long ago (tee-hee) spent lounging care-free on the beach, encircling weekend campfires, and rollin’ wit my homies down south for Spring Break (hey, it was a long time ago -- don’t judge) and the music that would capture those moments.

From Mariah to Janet, New Kids to Ricky Martin, these musicians have a bit of history burned into our memories for both the good, as well as the bad. I’ve compiled a list of songs that best captures my summer months growing up as best as I can recall, complete with a Freudian-esque recollection that accompanies the aforementioned song … I apologize beforehand for an over-exposure of information … there are some things that the public just shouldn’t know but I’m telling you anyways.

1990 New Kids On the Block “Step by Step”
Dancing with my sister in her room to this tape -- complete with Hypercolor shirts and tight-rolled jeans.

1991 Paula Abdul “Rush Rush”
Wanting to be the one that Keanu Reeves ran to after he won the car race!

1992 Mariah Carey “I’ll be There”
I loved her back then: bad perm, beautiful voice and all.

1993 Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes”
Seriously, one of the defining songs in my life. I don’t know why but the beat, the video and the style made such an impact on me -- I still love jamming to this one.

1994 “I Swear” All-4-One
The quintessential “final song” at every dance in middle school.

1995 “Waterfalls” TLC
I remember singing along to this song and originally having no idea what the hell they were talking about, but no worries, I soon caught on.

1996 “Macarena (bayside boys remix)” Los Del Rio
… uhhh

1997 “MMMBop” Hanson
SOMEONE had to have liked it!

1998 “The Boy Is Mine” Brandy & Monica
Again -- like Mariah and Janet -- as a young, closeted boy these women sang wisdom and knowledge to this fledgling queerling trying to make his way through life.

1999 “Livin' La Vida Loca” Ricky Martin
I reiterate … read above.

2000 “It's Gonna Be Me” *NSYNC
Watching a pack of young, straight guys (well … kinda) do choreographed dance moves with flashy colors and gyrating hips … I was so hooked.

2001 “U Remind Me” Usher
I actually hated this song but remember it so vividly because it was on EVERY SINGLE F-ING RADION STATION!

2002 “Hot In Herre” Nelly
I used to have an annual underwear party at my house (separate story). Sixty of my closest friends would join in the fun, debauchery and chaos … this song captured it perfectly that year.

2003 “Crazy In Love” Beyonce featuring Jay-Z
How does she do it? I’ve heard this song so many freaking times and I still like it -- whatever Mama Knowles is feeding her is certainly working!

2004 “Slow Motion” Juvenile featuring Soulja Slim
I despise this song; especially when the bridge-n-tunnel crowd would go CRAZY as it came on -- suddenly every guy with a Miller and a beer gut was a pimp … lip pursing and high-fives quickly ensued.

2005 “We Belong Together” Mariah Carey
At this point I just wanted Mariah to go away but, regardless, the woman can sell a #1.

2006 “SOS” Rihanna and “Hips Don’t Lie” Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean
I still love both of these songs. Granted every gay boy thinks he’s Rihanna in a mirrored room every time it comes on … at least it’s entertaining to see the proverbial head flick-hair toss.