"That summer seemed to last forever..."

The latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online -- our salute to summer. And while we've already done the ultimate list of summer movies, we've yet to rank the summer songs.

Check out the songs from this week's podcast below and then drop a comment with more 80s songs about summer. Not to hit it over the head, but "summer" really needs to play a significant role in the song. It can't just be a song that reminds you of summer. (For me, that'd be Men at Work's "Overkill" -- which I used to play in my 1982 Ford Mustang while cruising up and down Countryside Boulevard in Clearwater, Fla., back and forth to my summer job back then. But aside from my personal connection, there's nothing "summer" about it.)

LIVE CHAT TONIGHT: Summer songs, indie movies and a sneak preview review of the new Cyndi Lauper album. Check back in about 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Comments

[John Hays]

God, I remember doing Hands Across America! Wow, I was pretty young then...young enough to believe that it really could have been one long line! Haha...

[J]

I thought that "Summer Nights" was released in the 80s...last time I let Amazon question my memory.

[BBanzai]

correction 8 tunes...knew excel hated me :)

[BBanzai]

Only 9 tunes with summer in the title that hit the billboard pop top 40 in the 80's (well depending if i used the excel filter command right)...of those i like Diesel's Sausalito Summernight the most...but for any tune that speaks summer, I'm with Chad, Van Halen's Summer Nights from the summer of '86 would top my list.

[Melissa]

Boys of Summer by Don Henley definitely gets my vote!

[CHAD]

summer nights was released in 1986 on the great 5150 record.

[jane]

Favorite summer-themed song: "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" by Squeeze.

Any book that mentions a Harold Robbins paperback, aka my idea of perfect beach reading, is the epitome of a summer song.

As far as tunes that remind me of summer -- where do I start? I've got a million of them.

[J]

90's song by classic 80s band...Summer Nights by Van Halen.

[CHAD]

well i think ya'll mentioned all my summer songs already. i was gonna wait till tonight, but i guess they're out there. of all my cds, i could only find 6 or so 80s songs with summer in the title. its kinda limiting in the description. as far as indie flicks, never been my thing. i like a few that have broken through, but i guess im like sean, more of a mainstream kinda guy. that includes my favorite music, no goth, no depressing stuff. thats probably why i never cared for grunge crap. life is already rough enough, dont need some dumb*** from seattle telling me.

[Marissa]

Here's a link explaining the purpose of Hands Across America
http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id312.htm

[Marissa]

I have a feeling I'm going to have a memory to go with every song someone mentions.

The "Heartbeat City" cassette would be the soundtrack to our summer of 'cruising the square.' It's exactly what it sounds like. Kankakee didn't offer much for those of us out of high school, but not old enough to drink.
Around and 'round we'd go searching for cute guys. It was rare to ever stop to find out if they were boyfriend material.

[Brad]

"Hands Across America." There's something I haven't thought of in a looooong time. What was that a fundraiser for?

HAA went right by the theater I worked at - the lovely rundown Fox Fullerton. We all went out and joined the chain.

As far as summer songs, I'm early enough to the comment thread that nobody has mentioned Magic by The Cars, off that 100% pure bitchin' album Heartbeat City. An album that I will forever associate with the summer of 1984.

[80sfan]

Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Summertime Blues - Brian Setzer
Wild Summer Nights - John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
Hot Summer Nights - Miami Sound Machine
Suddenly Last Summer - The Motels
Summer Love - Neil Diamond

I also love Belinda Carlisle Summer Rain but that is '90s. And Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam's Head to Toe always reminds me of the summer of 1987 as it was constantly on the radio. Jessie's Girl was also a big summer song in 1981.

[Marissa]

OH wow! Clark! That song reminds me of the time I participated in "Hands Across America". I had recruited a friend and her friend to join my work group. They showed up dressed identically. I was so embarrassed. We later went to a celebration downtown and they remained identical. Including their idiotic drunken public display of stupid-girls-who-have-no-control.

[Marissa]

Oh yeah, he digs the movie. He's watched it a couple of times, but last night was the first time I paid any attention to it.

[Clark]

It's a cheesy one hit wonder, but "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz screams summer for me. The source album is even titled "Poolside".

[Bassnote]

"Don't Stop Believin' " by Journey always reminds me of summers past. "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats is another summer memory song.

Hey Marissa, Thanks for the tip on "Sky High", but I already have the soundtrack. I've had it since I first saw the movie. Check out iTunes, I wrote a review of it. Did your son like the movie?

[Marissa]

This may be an odd choice, but "What a Feeling" from Flashdance (1983) sparks a fond Summer memory.
I saw the movie with a friend on Senior Skip day. The effort put into trying to dance the 'maniac' was futile.

What female here hasn't mastered a bra removal without removing the shirt first?

[Complaint Department Manager]

Summer Song by Satriani...okay that came later(1992). I always think of Billy Idol's "Hot In the City" When I think of great Summer tunes.

By the way, that video to Y&T of "Summertime Girls" is hysterical. Love the fashion statements.

[Dan]

Summer Nights by Van Hagar.