| Song | Artist | Year | Pick | Genre(s) | Willis Notes | Gregg Notes |
| Sincerely Yours | Sweet Sensation | 1988 | Willis | Latin, Freestyle | I grew up only liking whatever was convenient on the radio, and never made impactful musical choices until my later teen years. which were then subject to heavy self-scrutiny. The high energy soul of freestyle resonated with my taste, but not with my image. Summers were a break from the stereotypes of my school bubble and gave me freedom to enjoy this whole other world, becoming the catalyst of maturity into a dynamic personality beyond stereotypes, listening with my heart without cultural filtering. This and “Show Me” by Cover Girls have similar vibe, but these lyrics are much more affecting. Even the opening “Dear, I write you this letter…” the freestyling towards the end feels like improv and gives it a live, legit feel. | When this came out, I used to secretly borrow my sister’s CD to listen to the best 4 or 5 songs (this being one). I was caught between being self conscious & proud about liking this, I just couldn’t be sure if it was “cool” for a 13yo boy to like this kinda music. “Never let you Go” was my fave, but this was 2nd. I liked the latin flavor of it, and also the fact that it was slightly less BPM than most freestyle/dance hits of the time. Gave it slightly more of an R&B feel. Always felt this could’ve been a Gloria Estefan song, or even Jody Watley. This is PURE Summer of ‘88 vibes for me. |
| No Reason To Cry | Judy Torres | 1988 | Gregg | Freestyle | The beat + fast bassline are a solid groove standout of this era that I always dug and never really broke it down why until now. The freestyle formula where they sing in a speaking way in a low/mid range hitting lots of minor notes that stretch across the rhythm. It’s like a trigger for really any kind of movement (dancing or driving). The standout here is when she takes off in a high belting voice that soars into the darkness. That beat change mid song is SO OMG, you almost can’t notice those ubiquitous vocal samples “doot doota dit dit..” that were such a popular flourish. | In the next summer between Middle & High School, I really embraced Freestyle. My sister was bringing home Mixtapes from her resident highschool DJ (“DJ Eric Niice”), and I would study them like a student prepping for an exam. Listening where he’d choose to beat mix the next song, how quickly he faded out, how he kept it tracking, etc. The first tape that became the template for my future as a H.S. Dj (and mixtape master) featured this song at the climax. To me, this could’ve been a New Wave song, if it had the right dark, male vocals. It had a gloominess to it, which I still enjoy. It also has one of the thickest, purest, kickerbox thumping beats I’ve ever heard. Every Guido in the NY Metro Area would blast this from their IROC Camaro, while driving 2mph as they cruise around the hot spots looking for girls. I can still feel that beat in my chest, 37 years later. |
| Someday, Somewhere | Jungle | 2026 | Willis | Neo-Soul, Indie Electronic, Disco-Funk | I’ve had these guys on my list for months, yet never felt the music was enough to talk about besides a retro approach and chill upbeat vibe. They just released a new album and are starting a world tour in some big arenas, so thought a good time to share. This is a short song, but the vibe is clean and clear. I hear their multi-layered harmonies (Male or female we can’t be sure) wafting off the stage of a huge summer festival from a past era. | Delighted to see (and hear) this. I’ve had the same ‘indifferent’ feeling towards this band, even though I’m very aware of their popularity (and wide appeal). After refusing to even listen, I finally caved and added a song from this album to HFD, because the ONE I chose to sample turned out to be amazing (“Come back to me”). Made me question my whole reason for not giving this band the time of day! Now I’m hearing this, and I’m really questioning myself! This has a classic 70’s disco/funk sound that feels timeless. I love the subtle thump/clap, disco-house rhythm, as well as the unison vocals that create a dreamy atmosphere like many classic 70’s soul music. |
| We Live In Brooklyn, Baby | Roy Ayers | 1972 | Gregg | Psych Soul /Jazz Funk /NYC Streets | This is a song for big yellow can headphones with a long coiled retractable cord connected to a “HiFi” while sitting on an orange beanbag. The two note pattern creates such a tense, anticipatory feeling. Less is so much more in this case. Muted strings making the rhythm… now I feel like watching the movie “Shaft”. My first trip to NYC as a teen in the winter (to watch the ball drop), and it was everything the movies captured (The Warriors is one of my fave movies). The term “getting mugged in NY” was such a meme of that era. | If you want to hear what the streets of NYC looked like in my childhood, you’ll find it in this song. There was a grit and hardness to the NY streets prior to the 90’s (Rudy Giuliani actually did some good things back then). It’s hard to imagine how different it was, but even as such, I was beyond fascinated with the seediness of it all. My parents were so concerned I’d move to Manhattan after I turned 18, cus they left the city for the NJ suburbs to keep us OFF the streets lol. Now – as an adult – hearing this specific song reminds me of what it felt like to drive or walk around. Sure it was intimidating for some, but for those of us who grew up around it, it was pure bliss! Music, Art, Fashion, Controlled Chaos, Energy vs Poverty, Gangs, Homeless, and Uncontrolled Chaos. The tension was palpable, but so was the excitement. Also, what a friggin’ song. |
| Smalltown Boy (Remaster) | Bronski Beat | 1984 | Willis | Synth-Pop, DIsco, New Wave | I had this on vinyl and recorded to tape, which is my distinct summer memory as a soundtrack for driving on warm summer nights. Very naive in my teens, I only somewhat got the sentiment of the lyrics, but the dark theme contrasted with the sonic style. The completely falsetto singing over the driving bassline is a standout and the synths still sound great today. Do you feel like the tempo shifts slower to faster right before the drum machine kicks in? | Another Uncle Jimmy song. I have several memories to share about this song. My Uncle played the 12” import for my father in our Music Den (I still remember the moment vividly) – and Dad became obsessed. Always one of his all time favorites. So this song was a big part of my growing up. I had so many confused feelings about the lyrics and the meaning, because I still didn’t understand what it meant to be “gay”. Dad tried explaining, but the concept was so foreign to my reality. However I could hear he was clearly so sad, and it made me feel the same. Once I came to understand the lyrics, it made me appreciate the song even more. The video was groundbreaking, showing a runaway gay teen boy making eyes with a man in a bathing suit at the YMCA, and delving into a topic that had never been so overtly displayed on MTV. Has to be considered one of the greatest Synth Pop songs of all time. |
| Advice For The Young At Heart | Tears For Fears | 1989 | Gregg | SophistiPop /Jazz | This is a great dive. I don’t know this song, and have enjoyed listening from your perspective. It’s more subtle than their catchy songs which have captivated even the newest generations. Not owning “Songs from the Big Chair” until now (thanks to you), I never heard the true jazz sound they seem to have always had. When this album came out, I was disappointed it lacked the new wave sound. How different we grew up, to this same music but from different perspectives, yet still ended up in the same place here. That is crazy power if you think about it. | To say this is one of the most meaningful songs of my life would be an understatement. Whats funny? It was relatable to me, even as a 16 yo, but at that time it wasn’t even supposed to have meaning. Now, as a middle aged man, this song takes hold of my soul with its melancholy wisdom. I had no clue it would feel this way to grow up. But the wisdom in the lyrics prepared me for what I feel now. I took mental notes.Back then the lyric “Soon we will be older” made sense to me, and made me relate in a subtle but impactful way.The cool jazz meets new wave juxtaposition created a unique aura that intrigued me. But then it explodes into the most perfect falsetto chorus that brings so many feelings. “When I think of you & all the love that’s due, I make a promise, i make a stand. Cus to these Big brown eyes it comes as no surprise, we got the whole wide world in our hands” |
| Under the Bridge | Red Hot Chili Peppers | 1991 | Willis | Alternative Rock | Although not released during the summer, the sentiments and emotion captured in this song can fit any seasonal context because there are many interesting aspects of this song. When this came out, I couldn’t stop listening, and both happy/not happy for their success since then. Despite being overplayed, I want to listen NOT as alt-rock nostalgia, but rather break it down a bit into why I think it’s a masterpiece. | I never know what to feel about this song anymore. There was a time when I liked it just fine, then got so tired of it, then rediscovered and appreciated it again, then never wanted to hear it again, etc. It’s a vicious cycle lol. I’ll never deny the song’s greatness, and in fact, maybe exploring it in depth will spark another wave of “positive” feelings. To me, it was always about the grandiose ending. It was at that crescendo where Frusciante shines the brightest: “Under the bridge downtown, is where i drew some blood”. I’d always wait through the early parts of the song until that part hit. It was so perfectly done. I still ‘wait’ for it, whenever I’m forced to hear it (this one seems to pop up outside of my control more than almost any other 90’s Alt song).Oh, btw, the only reason the RHCP are listenable for me is John Frusciante. |
| Natural One | Folk Implosion | 1995 | Gregg | Indie /Trip Hop | Oh yeah I remember this one hitting our modern rock station Live 105 hard. I mostly ignored the bulk of the song though, because the little guitar hook plus “I’m the one natural one…” was oddly all I needed to hear. Then it would be followed up with Alice in Chains or Pearl Jam. That was the vibe and you couldn’t hide from it except to switch stations. It’s much better isolated from all that other noise. I still think it sounds like NIN, but the song never gets out of hand and stays groovy. That intro into the beat and bassline is pretty epic. Good headphone production. Spinning rattle in the left, jazzy piano chords up on top, I can picture it in a movie for sure, tho I have not even heard of this movie. So of course now I have a sidequest. | From the most mind-f**king movie of my teens, “Kids”. Everyone in the NYC area watched that movie, and we all were forced into a reality check (if you’ve never seen, i’ll explain). The soundtrack, on the other hand, was one of the most inspirational pieces of art of my formative years. Knowing it was Lou Barlow (of Dino Jr & Sebadoh) made me inclined to like it – but hearing him embrace more hip hop/trip hop styles was a force for me. I wanted to make music that sounded this compelling. It had just enough pop and hooks to be played on the radio (it was a fairly big hit on Modern Rock radio), but was also mighty bizarre upon inspection. The one line that always hits me (in the chorus refrain) is “There’s no telling what we’ll do when we’re free”. For some reason it resonates every time i’ve listened. Do yourself a favor and listen to the Kids soundtrack some day. It’s brilliant and challenging at the same time. You’ll hear the beginnings of Mynuskris in the several Folk Implosion songs. |
| (More Bounce In) California | Soul Kid #1 | 2006 | Willis | Indie Funk, Pop, Soul | Alicia surprised me with this one a few weeks ago and the infectious groove immediately got my attention. Her yoga instructor used to play it as a fun change from the usual chants and mantras. I thought it too cheesy for the show, so studied other tracks from this album for consideration – but actually, I completely missed the true context of these lyrics and think it’s an interesting share as more than meets the eye. I don’t think I’m the only one, as it has been used as an LA anthem in movies/TV shows like the O.C. and Laguna Beach. The beachy vibe seemingly glorifies the CA vibe yet the message is more of a diss because as a Canadian trying to make it in LA, he felt totally out of place. The reference to girls being on a “Vivid DVD” is niche of the era. | This is my first ever listen. I thought it was a mistake, when it started, like maybe I clicked on a TV show that had a quirky theme song. This certainly has a beachy, summer quality to it. I also notice the time-stamped production sound of the 00’s; lots of punch to the beat, angular guitars, samples, simple/repetetive bass chords, etc. I don’t usually have a soft spot for this sound, but listening with open ears allowed me to enjoy the joyfulness of it all. I like the chorus more and more, as I keep listening. |
| Love You Inside Out | Bee Gees | 1979 | Gregg | GrooveFunk /Neo Soul | I look forward to reading the lyrics as we listen to this taking your analysis into perspective. The only two things I add are on the “sonic” surface: 1. it is a good crossover song for someone who loves the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (also in my collection of great films). 2. The falsetto harmonies really put on stage without the heavy handed disco. I’m really glad the Bee Gees evolved to this sound from their earlier Beatles-like rock sound. (which was fine but wouldn’t have had as much impact) | There is no better time for me to feature this song, than on our Labor Day “End of Summer” show. Every BBQ playlist should include this song. There isn’t enough space on this document to contain my thoughts about it. This is the prime example of “Happy vs Melancholy” or Bittersweet. The melody and the music convey bliss and happiness. But the lyrics are incredibly heavy and sad. And the way Barry Gibb delivers the lines is divine and SO convincing! Not sure if the melody or the lyrics are better. I can point out so many lines, but this one summates the song best:“Treat me like a vision in the night – someone there to stand behind you when your world aint working right. I aint no vision, I’m a man who loves you – Inside and Out. Backwards and forwards with my heart hanging out. I know no other way, what am I gonna do if we lose that fire?” |
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