Grillin and Chillin

There are certain things that just say summer, even in a pandemic. Unfortunately, many of them can’t be enjoyed this year. Grilling, however, continues…

Burgers, chicken, ribs, corn, onions, peppers, peaches…Are you hungry now? Now that you’ve got some tasty food, you’ll need some tasty tunes.

So whether you’re by yourself or social distancing with friends or family, here’s my go-to mixtape, Grillin and Chillin, for when I’m hanging out in the backyard - tongs in one hand and a tasty beverage in the other. Turn this one up at your next cookout.

- Block Party – Chuck Brown – Living in DC it seems only right to start this mixtape with the Godfather of Go-Go music. For those that don’t know, go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed in and around the Washington metropolitan area in the mid-1970s.

- Young Americans – David Bowie – This song was the first studio result of Bowie’s mid-1970s obsession with soul music. It’s chorus is a guaranteed sing-along and the funky, saxophone portion is perfect for the summer heat.

- Holiday – Vampire Weekend – The ska-like beat is popping and while the lyrics don’t convey happiness, you can focus your toe tapping while sipping some sangria.

- Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy – The Tams – A minor hit by this Georgia R&B band, the song hits all the right notes and conveys a live in the now message that feels so right in 2020.

- Sunny Days – Allen Stone – Let’s slow the groove down a bit now (always essential in a mixtape) with this modern-soul classic. It’s a great bridge between classic artists on the mixtape.

- Sun Is Shining – Bob Marley – You can’t have a mixtape about chillin’ and hanging in your yard without Bob Marley. One of the lesser known Marley songs (and seldomly-performed), the song is a light, summer classic.

- If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be) – Leon Bridges – A classic R&B groove from the modern day equivalent of Sam Cooke. It’s fun and sexy will get people out of their lawn chairs.

- Lovely Day – Bill Withers – Speaking of classic R&B…This just oozes summer and plays well when the sun is going down reminding you what a “lovely day” it was.

- Spill The Wine – War – Now that the sun is down, grab your drink, sit back and chill out with this classic from War, enjoying that slammin’ flute solo.

- Alegria – Elia y Elizabeth – I found this song through some research of summer songs and fell in love with the vocals of these sisters (whose grandfather was Spanish operatic tenor Miguel Fleta).

- Wonderful World, Beautiful People – Jimmy Cliff – You can’t not smile with this island classic.

- All I Wanna Do – The War and Treaty – Here is where the playlist kicks back into it. Maybe you’re done chowing down but the tasty beverages are still going? Put this one on by one of my favorites and dance your ass off.

- Hot Fun in the Summertime – Sly and the Family Stone – A classic, lazy-day summer song. Very easy going to the ear, the song was released shortly after their performance at Woodstock in 1969.

- The Tide is High – Blondie – Originally performed by The Paragons, Blondie took this song to the top of the charts in 1980. Blondie was always great about mixing up melodies and styles in their music.

- Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles – A sexy horn and guitar-driven piece of funk-pop that has a catchy chorus that can keep the heat going, even if the sun has gone down.

Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire – Perfect way to close the night out. This R&B classic was released shortly after disco had been frowned upon and woke up the Top 40 market. Let’s all groove to this one.

Enjoy!