Posted on: Sunday, August 5, 2007
Verdict is in on top 10 tunes of summer 2007
By Cary Darling and Preston Jones
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
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Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" is an anthem for geeks who get the cold shoulder at the beach.
JIM COOPER | Associated Press
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Which song will you remember from summer 2007?
These 10 tracks, now in heavy rotation, are perfect for chilled-out pool days, sunny drives with the top down and relaxed evening barbecues:
Kenny Chesney, "Never Wanted Nothing More." Chesney reaches back to a misspent youth on this single from his forthcoming release, "Just What I Am: Poets & Pirates." In his smooth baritone, he reminisces about driving around with the fellas and meeting that special someone.
Sean Kingston, "Beautiful Girls." The rhythm's lifted from R&B chestnut "Stand by Me," but Kingston's geeky, heartfelt plea to all the lovely ladies who won't look his way is THE anthem for all the concave-chested guys getting sand kicked in their faces at the beach.
Rihanna (with Jay-Z), "Umbrella." It's one of 2007's inescapable singles. Featuring a serviceable Jay-Z cameo, the track really blossoms when Barbados native and "little miss sunshine" Rihanna lets her petite pipes grab hold of the emotional lyrics about a relationship surviving ... something.
Justin Timberlake, "Summer Love." Back in the stone-age days of pop — say, 40 years ago — a summertime love song might have been a languid, tear-stained paean to all that might have been. Think "Sealed With a Kiss." Those days are long gone in JT's funky ode to a "freaky" hot-season romance.
Plain White T's, "Hey There Delilah." Who'd have guessed the T's would have the summer's huge rock ballad? In a few years, listeners might look back and asking two questions: "Hey, remember the summer of '07?" and "Whatever happened to those Plain White T's guys?"
Mark Ronson (with Amy Winehouse), "Valerie." Stomping, Motown-ready pop with a 21st-century edge, this funky retooling of a song by obscure British group the Zutons is a showcase for Winehouse's husky vocal brilliance.
Fall Out Boy, "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs." Typically wry, propulsive pop-rock from the emo poster boys. Trip-hammer drum hits, layered harmonies and the flamenco-flavored instrumental break all complement the surging chorus, which is about getting dumped via a text message. You'll want to fling yourself into the nearest body of water by the song's conclusion.
Maroon 5, "Makes Me Wonder." Yes, it came out in the spring, but it's still hanging around with all its faux-Stevie Wonder effervescence.
Avril Lavigne, "Girlfriend." This zesty call-and-response slice of punk-pop practically goads you into singing along with its obnoxiously catchy chorus; Lavigne sneers, pouts and head-bangs her way through this sleek piece of radio gold.
Silverchair, "Reflections of a Sound." This Aussie trio goes old-school on this single, an unabashed distillation of Beach Boys harmonies and Beatles pop smarts, shot through with hope and heart.
