Looking Forward To Summer? Relax With These Songs

Have you begun to notice that grass actually does exist in Storrs? Have you seen flip-flops meekly beginning to make their way out of the dorms? Does it alarm you when the temperature isn't suggesting hypothermia?

Ladies and gentlemen, spring has sprung here at Storrs, and there's the scent of love, barbeques and Spring Weekend in the air. Despite the fact that we are still experiencing some gray skies and near-windstorms, April has brought the promise of sunshine, bare feet and real tans. It's time we give Soulja Boy a break and bust out some warm weather jams for the coming season. In the next few weeks, retire your Uggs, your Keystones and your mixes from January. Slip on some flip-flops, crack that Corona, buy your ticket for the next DMB concert and check out these tunes:

For barbeques in the

backyards of Carriage -

"Doin' Time" by Sublime

This easy-flowing jam begins with the idyllic lyrics "Summertime, and the livin's easy." This song is perfect to blast at the next barbeque. One unfortunate side-effect: the awesomeness of this song may inspire some to throw their notes and textbooks into that fired-up grill along with the next batch of burgers.

For riding around town- "Summertime"

by Kenny Chesney

For all you country buffs, this song screams pick-ups, cowboy hats and summer fun. "This song reminds me of warm weather and Chesney's annual summer tour, which is a complete free-for-all," said Jessica Young, 4th-semester human development and family studies major.

For sunbathing -

"Bubble Toes"

by Jack Johnson

The only thing better than Jack Johnson's smooth voice and chill rhythm while you're soaking up the sun would be Jack Johnson himself sitting next to you and applying your sun block. This song was a surprising hit off the 2001 album "Brushfire Fairytales." An interesting fact: Jack Johnson met his wife at a dining hall on campus at the University of California - Santa Barbara. The lines "I was eating lunch at the DLG when this little girl came and she sat next to me" refer to the De La Guerra dining hall, where his current wife sat down next to Johnson to avoid unwanted attention from another student. Keep this in mind in case you happen to spot a cute, talented surfer in North Dining Hall. Good luck.

For driving in a packed car with your best friends and a thirty in the back -

"Summer of '69"

by Bryan Adams

This is the classic summer song that makes you appreciate your friends, your youth, and your freedom. Practice some intense air guitar before you attempt to listen to this song. Also take a moment to consider how cool it would have been to live in a year ending in the number 69. "[Summer of '69 is] a great song that brings me back and reminds me of home," said Tyler Leslie, a 4th-semester fine arts major.

For vacationing -

"Island in the Sun"

by Weezer

If you're looking for that perfect song to play while you're lounging around onboard a cruise ship or jetting off to Hawaii, this is the song to have on your iPod. You'll be envisioning yourself in a grass skirt and coconut bra in no time. Rivers Cuomo, lead singer of Weezer and former resident of Storrs, will have you swaying and tapping your feet as you unpack your bags in Bermuda. "It's on my Hawaii playlist," said Joanna Cambria, a 2nd-semester ACES major. "I can't wait to listen to it on the plane."

For celebrating the last night of finals - "School's Out" by Alice Cooper

This song is reminiscent of cleaning out lockers and trashing hallways back in high school, but is still pretty badass now in our college years. The lyrics will have even that kid who won't stop raising his hand in lecture destroying textbooks and flipping off the teacher. Another great tune for extreme air guitar.

For that throwback to high school - "Hanginaround" by Counting Crows

This song had better be playing when you show up this summer in that old basement or backyard you used to hang out in back in high school. The combination of these lyrics, beats and old familiar faces will have you jamming with your friends and dancing all night.

For when you're feeling down - "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles

Missing your roommate? The Student Union? Dining hall food? Or maybe you're just missing Jonathan and the Husky spirit this summer. Whatever has got you down will disappear when you put on this classic Beatles hit. The soothing vocals and hopeful lyrics will have you smiling in no time.

For saying goodbye to your

boy/girl -

"Dusk and Summer"

by Dashboard Confessional

Chris Carrabba will melt your heart with this bittersweet love song released in 2006. Before you rip on Dashboard for being the quintessential "emo" band, give this song a chance. If it doesn't make you appreciate the one you're with, I don't know what will.

For the greatest road trip of all time - "Keep on Rockin' Me Baby" by

The Steve Miller Band

I don't care what your destination is - whether it's Philadelphia, Atlanta, or L.A., this song is a must-have. All you need for a month-long road trip is a car, gas, food, friends and The Steve Miller Band.

Contact Paige Classey at

Paige.Classey@UConn.edu.