Because Big Mama & Boo Mama Did It...

...I feel compelled to make a list of my "songs of the summer." Now, mind you...you need to properly read each explanation before you think I'm crazy for picking some of these.

1. Cry On My Shoulder (Overflow): This was THE song of the summer (...or just my summer...) in 2006. This summer I was working in San Antonio doing inner-city children's ministry & all of the summer missionaries (or at least the cool ones that I was friends with...) became attached to this song...and this one...
2. Take Me (Hawk Nelson): because my friend Emily Cates listened to it on repeat pretty much all summer.
3. Hips Don't Lie (Shakira): Same summer. Chloe Friend had this as her ring tone so anytime I hear it I think of hear & that summer.
4. Bad Day (Daniel Powter): Last one from 2006, I promise. Chloe & I worked at the same site & after each day we would listen to one iPod, 1 "ear bud" (I hate that term) each & sing this song. Usually we altered the words, but sometimes we did have bad days & have to keep Mr. Powter's lyrics.
5. All I Need (Shawn McDonald): No particular reason for choosing this song except that it's just one of those that you need to listen to with your windows down...occasionally dancing...& singing loudly...& waving to the strangers that stare at you.
6. Love Is A Beautiful Thing (Phil Vassar): Just a good summer favorite. Favorite line: Even old Aunt Ruby came, 1st time on an "aero-plane"... (you have to sing that part really loudly).
7. Lost In This Moment (Big & Rich): Ladies & Gentlemen (ok, or just Ladies...), this is the very first song that I ever bought on iTunes. Summer 2007 (yeah, I managed to stay away from iTunes store until then. My bank account has suffered since that day).
8. Strawberry Wine (Deana Carter): This one goes way back. My neighbor Sarabeth & I used to sing this song when we'd take her golf cart out on the trails behind her house. When I hear this song I think about her & eating honeysuckle...because that was pretty much the best thing to do that summer.
9. Umbrella (Rihanna): Summer 2007. You work at a camp, you pretty much have to love this song.
10. Bubbly (Colbie Caillat): No explanation needed.
11. Take to the World (Derek Webb): Summer 2007. We sang this song throughout the week at camp, but we always sang it as the last song of closing celebration. Kind of a commissioning to not just let change stay at camp but to take it out into the world that you live in every day. Every time I hear it I get that "end of camp" feeling.
12. Copacabana (Barry Manilow): That's right. Barry Manilow. I liked him anyway, but when I chaperoned youth camp last summer to New Orleans, one of the places on the campus we were on was called the "Cabana." So, thanks to Kellie, this song was stuck in my head all week.
13. Ocean (Ten Shekel Shirt): If you don't know this song, you should because a)it's just great, & b)it makes great captions for beach pictures.
14. Brothers & Sisters (Dave Barnes): Summer 2007 & forevermore. I believe that we can change the world...I mean, what's better than that? Summer=camp, mission trips, etc. This song is a must.

Ok, so I had a few more than Big & Boo, but I don't care. I'm sure this list will grow more this summer anyway. Now I'm off to make a summer song playlist.