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It's that time of the year again, when barbecues blaze and fireworks dazzle. And, of course, you have to have the right music to groove to. We gathered some of our favorite summer songs - past and present – to create a special Fourth of July playlist for y'all. Enjoy!
Artist: George Clinton
Factoid: From one dog to another - Clinton's classic party jam was sampled by Snoop Dogg for his debut solo single 'Who Am I? (What's My Name).'
BVs Fourth of July Playlist
Song Title, Year: 'Atomic Dog,' 1982
Artist: George Clinton
Factoid: From one dog to another - Clinton's classic party jam was sampled by Snoop Dogg for his debut solo single 'Who Am I? (What's My Name).'
Song Title, Year: 'Day & Night,' 1988
Artist: Al B. Sure
Factoid: During the New Jack Swing era, Mr. 'Day & Night' helped discover R&B acts such as Jodeci and Tevin Campbell.
Song Title, Year: 'Meeting in the Ladies Room,' 1984
Artist: Klymaxx
Factoid: Ladies, if you're putting your hands all over another woman's man be prepared for a few repercussions. Or better yet, a meeting in the ladies room. Hence, Klymaxx's 1984 hit single, which peaked at the number 22 slot on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Song Title, Year: 'Gypsy Woman' (She's Homeless), 1991
Artist: Crystal Waters
Factoid: With jazz legend Ethel Waters as her great-aunt, Crystal Waters might well have been preordained for musical success. The singer's 1991 single, 'Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless),' became an instant classic once it skyrocketed to the number two slot on the UK's singles chart, making it the highest-debuting single for a new act at the time.
Song Title, Year: 'Summer Time,' 1991
Artist: DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Factoid: DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's tales about an average summer day in West Philadelphia made for a laidback sound so vivid that it got the duo their second Grammy.
Song Title, Year: 'Saturday Love,' 1986
Artist: Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle
Factoid: Although this sweet weekend dance track is often listed as 'Alexander O'Neal featuring Cherrelle,' the song actually appeared on Cherrelle's 1986 sophomore effort, 'High Priority.'
Song Title, Year: 'Rump Shaker,' 1992
Artist: Wrecks-N-Effect
Factoid: Alongside hit producer and mentor Teddy Riley, Pharrell Williams was responsible for crafting and co-writing everyone's favorite tail feather anthem.
Song Title, Year: 'Summer Rain,' 2000
Artist: Carl Thomas
Factoid: On 'Summer Rain' Thomas samples Stevie Wonder's 1976 ballad 'Summer Soft' – go figure.
Song Title, Year: 'I Get Around,' 1993
Artist: Tupac
Factoid: Before Tupac "got around" to his Death Row Records days he was affiliated with the Oakland-bred rap group Digital Underground, who are featured on this bouncy summer hit.
Song Title, Year: 'Forget Me Nots,' 1982
Artist: Patrice Rushen
Factoid: Critically acclaimed actor Will Smith made sure the public didn't forget about Rushen's 1982 Grammy-nominated recording when he sampled the track for his smash hit 'Men in Black.'
Comments: (3)
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/27/2011 8:03PM
My summertime favorites Fourth of July Playlist would have to be "Summer Time" & "Summer Rain" by Carl Thomas. That Summer Rain, is a sexy song that makes you want to be in the rain with that loved one. Carl Thomas is a fine brotha. I wonder what happened to him? Another song that never gets old and played every Summer wouold have to be,"Summer Madness" by Cool & The Gang. My Dad plays every Summer at his cook outs. It's a Tradition at his house & "Summer Time". It's a MUST at my Dad's house to play "Pay Back" by James Brown and some Barry White. Another one, people play every Summer an all time favorite at barbecues, Family Reunions, Holidays, ect.. is by the O Jays, "Family Reunion". This song was not listed?
I hope BV posts an article of last night's Bet Awards Show. Kevin Hart was funny as hell! I have lots to say about that show.
Everybody have a "Happy 4th July" next week.
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By: Linda on 7/01/2011 6:39PM
MY FAV IS 'SUMMER TIME' BY WILL SMITH
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By: Back Down Memory Lane! on 7/05/2011 11:51AM
I have different summer songs for different times in my life. I remember riding through St. Louis as a teen jammin Chaka Khan's "Aint Nobody" with my mother. When I become a mother my teen daughters and I jammed Janet Jackson's "Back on the road again feeling kinda lonely..." while drivin from B more to VA but Will Smith and Jazzy does win with the best summer song because he hits everything we do to get ready for a picnic! LOL
My daughter and I jammed Dr Dre and Tupac's "Cali Love" the other day while ridin..nice summer beat with Roger Trottman (BEFORE T Pain, haha)!
@Dime-O Jays "Fam Reuinion" is an excellent memory. They play that song sometimes for the Stone Soul Picnic radio commercials.
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