Tuned up Thursday: Summer tunes to beat the winter blues

January may be my least favorite month of the year. I’m always jampacked with work, it’s dark and dreary and I usually get sick (like clockwork, I was sick last week). If I were to suffer from any form of winter depression, it happens to me in January. But music can lift my spirits like no other and it may be odd to some, but I love to bring out some staple summer songs whenever I feel the darkness and dreariness taking over. I present to you: 10 summer tunes to beat those winter blues.

Beirut – Santa Fe

A staple sunny song I love listening to in winter is Santa Fe by Beirut. Anything by Beirut could cure a bout of winter blues really, but this song in particular is sunshine in a song, like most songs in this post. The song oozes warmth and pleasure on sunny beaches.

Bibio – A Tout a L’heure

This song was on repeat a few times on a daily basis when I first heard this. As a matter of fact, I purchased the album based on this song. This is the type of indie song I love best: slow steady beats, catchy rhythms and an overall laid back vibe. Let me know if you don’t sing along with the title line within a first listen. I’d be amazed if you’d manage to do that.

Blondfire – Waves

Let’s move into more of an pop vibe shall we? Again, instant sing-a-long abilities mixed with a relaxed tune makes this a great summer song to me. Combined with the lyrics about waves and tides and oceans and what not, this song immediately reminds me of standing in the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica at sunset: the ultimate summer memory!

Chris Malinchak – So Into You

Time for some electronic vibes. This track feels fresh, yet familiar at the same time. The reason? It samples Don’t Disturb This Groove, which is an R&B classic. Of course, this has a very modern and loopy twist to it. Feels like cruisin’ on a road trip in a convertible with the top off.

Foals – My Number

On to something completely different! The reason why this song equals summer for me and is great at averting any kind of winter depression is because this track reminds me of summer festivals! If you’ve never experienced a summer outdoor festival with great weather where you fall asleep while the sun beats down on your face while you’re listening to some great music, then go out and try it! That’s how I learnt this song and it brings back memories every time.

Franz Fredinand – Can’t Stop Feeling & I Feel Love

Another summer festival association is this live track by Franz Ferdinand. They remixed their song Can’t Stop Feeling with Donna Summer’s I Feel Love. Including the high notes. Highlight of Pukkelpop 2013 for me. I just want to jump up and pogo right along whenever I hear this. It doesn’t matter it is sometimes off key and cheesy as hell. Good times were to be had!

Hiatus – Empress (Ft. Hayedeh)

I found Hiatus through my indie playlists and I don’t know what it is about this song that makes me associate this with summer. It’s actually quite dark and moody in a way. However, it has an exotic vibe to me as I don’t know any Arabic and it is still very relaxing and dreamy at the same time.

Kyla La Grange – Cut Your Teeth Kygo Remix

Kyla La Grange is a name that has been popping up on my indie playlists for some time, but only last year I really got into some of the music. Especially this song in particular, which I found last January, helped me get through those dark days then. The little whistle like tune makes for instant happiness.

Manu Chao – Papito

On to the King of summer parties: Manu Chao. You may remember Me Gustas Tu or King of the Bongo Bongs, but I tend to listen to his entire album Esperanza in the darker winter months. It is set up like a radio broadcast from fictional radio station Radio Emba and features songs in different language, but always with a great summery, party vibe. Don’t you just want to get up and dance straight away?

Tennis – Marathon

The last song I’m sharing with you today is this one by Tennis. I was obsessed with Tennis’ first album in 2012. By now there is a new album and I still love their music, but especially some of their older EP stuff. Marathon falls into that category. If you want to know what current day ‘surfer pop’ sounds like (that’s what I’ve dubbed their music), this is for you.

What songs do you listen to, to beat the winter blues?