{"id":3047,"date":"2018-06-21T15:22:48","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T19:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/?p=3047"},"modified":"2020-10-05T15:36:25","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T19:36:25","slug":"listen-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/listen-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Listen Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

A song doesn\u2019t have to be about<\/em> summer for it to be the perfect summer song. \u201cIt just needs to make you feel good,\u201d says Joe Rapolla \u201990M, chair of Monmouth\u2019s Department of Music and Theatre Arts and director of its Music Industry program. As he sees it, the best summer songs fall into one of two categories: \u201cchill ones for grooving and bopping\u201d and \u201cfist-pounding, high-fiving, steering-wheel-drumming ones\u201d to get you where you\u2019re going. Lucky for you, Rapolla curated a playlist that features some of both. Says Rapolla: \u201cI guarantee if you add these to your playlist and turn it up, you\u2019ll get to where you need to be \u2026 whether you\u2019re going anywhere or not!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For getting ready to head to the beach or the boardwalk…<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\nStart with a little \u201cCruel Summer\u201d by Bananarama<\/strong>. It\u2019s a groovy \u201980s jam that has such a hot vibe. Then you\u2019ve got to roll into some Beach Boys\u2014\u201cGood Vibrations\u201d and \u201cSurfin\u2019 USA.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

For swinging and swaying at a BBQ…<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\nGet things going with \u201cDancing in the Street\u201d by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas<\/strong>. And you\u2019ll need some Fleetwood Mac, \u201cGo Your Own Way,\u201d Bob Marley\u2019s \u201cOne Love,\u201d<\/strong> and Mungo Jerry\u2019s \u201cIn the Summertime.\u201d<\/strong> The ukulele has such a beachy, summer sound to it, so add \u201cHey, Soul Sister\u201d by Train.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For cruising the strip…<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\nYou\u2019ve got to throw on some Springsteen1 <\/sup><\/strong>. You can\u2019t go wrong with \u201cBorn to Run,\u201d<\/strong> and for those really hot July and August nights, \u201cBackstreets.\u201d<\/strong> For fun, \u201cHungry Heart\u201d<\/strong> always works. Bruce helped define the Jersey Shore music scene, so a list of his songs could just go on and on. And add some Aerosmith<\/strong>2<\/sup>, too: \u201cWalk this Way.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Perfect for anytime, anywhere…<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\n\u201cYou Make My Dreams Come True\u201d by Hall & Oates.<\/strong>2<\/sup> \u201cYou Get What You Give\u201d by New Radicals<\/strong> is a great song that conveys a positive message. \u201cShe\u2019s So High\u201d by Tal Bachman<\/strong> has a catchy hook. A sentimental new favorite is Amy Winehouse\u2019s \u201cValerie.\u201d<\/strong> And don\u2019t forget Tom Petty<\/strong>\u2014\u201cDon\u2019t Do Me Like That\u201d and \u201cAmerican Girl\u201d are perfect.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benny bonus track…<\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\nIf you have to drive home after being \u201cdown the shore,\u201d reflect on the day with \u201cSummer Wind\u201d by Frank Sinatra<\/strong>, another great Jersey artist.<\/p>\n

When you’re ready to say goodbye to summer AND feel good about the fall… <\/span><\/span><\/strong>
\nRod Stewart\u2019s \u201cMaggie May\u201d<\/strong> is a must!<\/p>\n