Summer Songs of 2008 (so far)

I’ve recently had the opportunity to listen more to the radio than I normally would. In addition to making me want to drive knitting needles into my eyes, it got me to thinking about this year’s Songs of Summer. There hasn’t really been an undisputed champ but ‘I Kissed A Girl’ is certainly making a strong case as THE song you will think of when you reflect back on the events of summer ’08 (Barack Obama winning the Democratic nomination, high gas prices and The Dark Knight). For better or worse it is hard to get away from Katy Perry and her sapphic hijinks.

Of course, there is still plenty of time for this list to change, so consider it an interim one. This long weekend could play a big role in determining the song of the summer. Coldplay could release a new song that dominates the airwaves in a way the first two singles haven’t (the title track isn't very good and 'Violet Hill' isn't really a summer song). Madonna’s new song could suddenly be everywhere. CSS's 'Jager Yoga' could find the audience it deserves. The U2 reissues could ignite a Boy or The Joshua Tree revival – ‘Stories For Boys’ or ‘Red Hill Mining Town’ would both be nice August songs.

Here’s my list so far:

Songs of Summer:

• Pork & Beans – Weezer [the undisputed Modern Rock Radio Champ this summer]
• I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry

Other contenders:

• 4 Minutes – Madonna f. Justin Timberlake
• Shut Up and Let Me Go – The Ting Tings
• American Boy – Estelle f. Kanye West

Honourable Mention, but not quite ready for prime time:

• Shake It – Metro Station
• Sleeping Sickness – City & Colour (f. Gord Downie) – enjoying this one
• Pocketful of Sunshine – Natasha Bedingfield (makes me think of All Saints’ “Pure Shores” during the chorus)
• Them Kids - Sam Robersts