In Southern California, we spend a lot of time on the road. While driving is often a chore, finding a way to enjoy it is the key to staving off road rage. Part of turning a commuter expedition into a summer past time is having the right music for the road.
To wit, the Femme Fatal Summertime Mix. Some people think creating the perfect mix is a science, while others simply trust the way the music feels. As far as I'm concerned, when the mix is for driving, it's important to have fun, upbeat tunes to can sing along to and even possibly rock out a little bit. It's also fun to play with genre combination, themes and song transition. The whole idea with a mix is to create a mood for a moment.
And without further ado...
Emotions - Mariah Carey
There is something about this song that invokes driving down the coast with the top down. No particular destination in mind, just a drive for the sake of driving. I love how Mariah used to use her voice and show off her range. I have fond memories associated with this song and I thought it was a great way to start off the mix.
Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
The glistening guitar, the fly-away feeling of the chorus. This song also invokes nostalgia, but in a way that is classic and timeless. Don't you just think about swinging, swimming, riding a bike, and drinking ice tea on the porch when you hear this song? It's a good song to listen to on a drive to the beach too.
The Way – Jill Scott
Sometimes a smooth groove is just what the Dr ordered. This song is always a hit when you and your girlfriends are hanging out dishing over wine. It’s also great for helping to maintain a mellow mood when you realize that it’s going to take two hours to make a 30 min drive.
More Than A Woman - Aaliyah
This is one of those songs that just makes you want to dance. When I was a kid I would have learned all of the choreography in the video, as an adult I'll settle for just doing my own thing when I'm blasting the music on a warm summer night. Aaliyah had truly developed into a great entertainer by her last album. Her loss was tragic but she lives on through her music.
Candyman - Christina Aguilera
Talk about sugar and spice and everything nice. Christina Aguilera's version of this song is fun and dirty flirty. She also has one of the best voices in pop music today; perfect for singing along in the car.
Crazy in Love - Beyoncé
I love how the horns fade in and out, and the general energy of this song. This is definitely one of Beyoncé’s best songs of all time. I've never seen her in person, but even in live videos its apparent that she is a top rate entertainer. How cool is it that she's backed by an all girl band to boot? Check out the drummer and the guitarist totally rocking out at 3:00. I love it!
Maps -Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I really like how this song starts off all sparse and then during the chorus the guitar comes in a little fuller and the drummer adds the symbols. The break and the last chorus are my favorite; the drummer is really getting down and that sonically vulnerable "Wait, they don't love you like I love you" from vocalist, Karen, is absolutely riveting. When I heard this song for the first time I remember thinking the Yeah Yeah Yeahs might be a one hit wonder. Unfortunately that seems to be the case. Oh well, at least there will always be "Maps."
Violently Happy - Björk
I'll admit that the way Björk opens her mouth is a little scary and she really is not all that enthralling a performer. I do however like her music and this song seems to make it onto more of my mixes than any other. The concept of being violently happy is a great one though. Who hasn't been so excited they felt invencible? The feeling is only temporary but it’s definitely something every person should experience at least once in a lifetime. Oh and driving too fast with exstatic music on is a favorite past time of mine. ;)
Millionaire - Kelis
This song is fun and vulnerable. How disheartening to achieve your dreams and realize that you're alone and most of the people you grew up with are still in the 'hood? That's why I love the bridge where Kelis says: "I ain't rich, 'till he is rich and she is rich and we is rich." It's almost as cliched as saying more money more problems, but its slightly less shallow and definitely more introspective. Aside from that, it's a great song to for the road too.
Fell in Love with a Boy - Joss Stone
The first time I heard this song, I wondered who that voice was. It was years later that I heard the <strong>White Stripes</strong> version of the song and to this day, I like Joss Stone's sultry rendition. Peep that ?st Love Cameo.
Danger (Warning: Low res video) - Erykah Badu
Many will remember Badu's hit "The Other Side of the Game," well "Danger" is the follow-up. The base line is bangin' and the lyrics raw. It's a gritty tale and I just love this song. It was one of the best songs on Badu's practically slept on EP, World Wide Underground.
Waltz (Better Than Fine) - Fiona Apple
This is a definitely a clever little modern twist on the classic Waltz. It is still light and sweeping and the strings give it a sunny character. There's also that vaudevillian feeling to the song that was entwined into most of Extraordinary Machine. I'll tell you, I never wanted to learn how to Waltz until I heard this song.
Glory Box - Portishead
For the close, I chose this because it's one of those songs I like to hear just before I turn of the radio. It has mellow mood and chorus just sultry enough to burrow into your consciousness.
