ATC in NYC

Truth be told, Mix of the Summer 2012 has been ready for about three weeks now but it’s taken me a while to actually put it out (sorry!) for a couple of reasons.

Namely, I’m lazy and haven’t had much free time to sit down and burn these puppies. Still haven’t done that actually.

But more importantly, I’ve used the preceding days as a sort of “soft” launch for the latest entry in my series of trashy pop goodness. And I like to think the finished product has turned out better as a result of this exercise.

Playing these stone cold winners on baller day trips to Six Flags, on party buses to upstate work retreats or at backyard pool birthday parties has afforded me the opportunity to test the waters of this latest set of hits and wannabe hits, confirming the gems, weeding out the stinkers and reiterating why I make a new one every year: to share good tunes and fun hangs with the people I love!

So here’s the music I think you should jam to this glorious summer season. I would say these are in no particular order but, let’s be for realsies, I’m not playing games and this is in a very particular order.

1. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction | I remember seeing these little pipsqueaks on The Today Show about four months ago and thinking to myself that I was getting old because I had absolutely no idea who they were. I also thought that they would be gone within a matter of weeks. I was right about the former but wrong about the latter because this adorable little declaration of inner and outer beauty is infectious. And not like an STD! It peaked on the charts a little while back and I think they have bigger songs now but there’s no other choice for the lead track this year. Also, if you haven’t checked out the “What Makes You Beautiful” web video made by the Broadway company of Anything Goes, do yourself a favor and get on that train.
2. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen | There’s really nothing left to say about Carly Rae Jepsen that hasn’t already been said. She came to us from the exotic land of Canada, Beiber “discovered” her and brought her to our prosperous terrain, she released the catchiest song of all time and BAM, a million YouTube videos were launched. I’d just like to state for the record that Carly Rae is eerily older than this song might lead you to believe (26 going on 27!) and that Sean Lynam, Margaux Cornelison and I still hold the record for clutchest “Call Me Maybe” YouTube rendition. Get into it.
3. “Some Nights” by fun. | If I had released this mix several weeks back I might have been able to gain some sort of cool kid cred for “calling” this song before it actually hit. Alas, it’s already been included on pretty much every other summer playlist this year so my claims at trailblazing are pitiful at best. But what’s not to love about pulsing drum beats and random autotune falsetto? The trio that also brought us “We Are Young” build upon their cuddly alternative package with style to spare, this track clearly being the best example of said cuddliness.
4. “Domino” by Jessie J | Sure, this song was released toward the tail end of last summer, but it didn’t get big until several months later and I could not think of a slinkier, sexier, carefree July-time opus than this killer tune from the vocally acrobatic Jessica Cornish. Sure her range is elastic, but the real clincher to this song for me is the composition. It’s perfectly structured with clever lyrics to boot. I would expect nothing less from the lass who also penned “Party in the U.S.A.” Just call me Jack Dawson because I’m going to press repeat and never. let. go.
5. “I Feel Better” by Gotye | That scruffy Belgian crooner known as Gotye gave us such a walloping surprise smash earlier this year with “Somebody That I Used to Know” that it’s unlikely he’ll ever reach the same heights of commercial success ever again. But if ever there were a worthy heir to his mini-empire of indie rock wonderment it’s this track from his breakthrough album Making Mirrors. It’s funky, soulful, drenched in horns and makes him sound a little bit like Cee-Lo. Which is a marvel. I mean look at the guy.
6. “Starships” by Nicki Minaj | It’s a beautiful thing when a song immediately conjures in your mind great memories and a specific date / time / event / place in your life. When the chorus on this song hits, I will forever think of swinging kettle bells and soldiering through side planks with a crazy set of Snatched ninjas over at the Mark Fisher Fitness clubhouse (amidst a barrage of f-bombs and inappropriate sexual references of course). Mind you, sexy gym ubiquity is the highest compliment that can be paid a song in this here city. So I’d say Nicki is doing pretty well for herself. Thanks for the memories GURL!
7. “One More Night” by Maroon 5 | Another reason for the delayed release on this set (I should stop making excuses already… but this one is legit) was to wait until one new Maroon 5 song, any new Maroon 5 song, was released that was not “Payphone.” I’m glad I waited because this lead track from their new LP Overexposed is slow burn pop / reggae chic / hypnotic swagger in audible form. If you don’t immediately warm up to it like some of their other ear candy, give it a few spins. I promise it will work its voodoo magic.
8. “Dark Side” by Kelly Clarkson | I had a pretty philosophical debate with fellow mixmaker and road press agent Justin O’Neill several weeks back about why this Kelly Clarkson song should be included on mixtapes made this summer over other offerings from her latest album. I thought it was a little too melancholy and he played the “But it’s her latest single and you pretty much have to do it” card which is always hard to beat in my book. Even if it’s not happy-go-lucky in sentiment, it makes up for it in sheer earnestness. Plus, it’s a nice little break amidst the frothiness of some of these other songs. Seriously go buy this girl’s album though. She can sing her face off. #oldnews
9. “Drive By” by Train | After the seeming anomaly that was “Hey Soul Sister,” I was content to return Train to their proper place in my life. That is, listening to their self-titled debut about once a year and sneaking listens of “Drops of Jupiter” on any day that ended in “y.” And then along came this ludicrous cut from their California 37 release with its dance club underpinnings and blatantly atrocious lyrics. Creepy Pat Monahan is pushing 60 at this point I’m sure, but I still have hope that he’ll find that two-ply hefty bag to hold is love. Until he does, we have buh-mazing songs like this to comfort us as he makes that treacherous journey.
10. “Baby Come Home” by Scissor Sisters | Jake Shears and Co. certainly know their way around a sinful little dance tune, eh? Perhaps you’ve recently heard the term “kiki.” As in, let’s have one. For the uninformed, non-dance party elite amongst you out there, “kiki” is shorthand for “party.” Whereas that song is an extended exploration into the exhilarative pleasures of merrymaking (and way too long to include on a summer mix), this song is a blink-or-you-missed-it, bouncy ball of sassy fun. If Elton John were still making music today (by the way, is Elton John still making music today?), he would surely come up with something along these lines.
11. “Brokenhearted” by Karmin | Just think of engaged couple Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan as this decade’s Savage Garden. Except they’re not from Australia. And they’re actually together in real life. And really the only thing they have in common is that they write unflinchingly sugary capsules of happiness. Their songs are in-your-face pop in every sense of the word but they like to pepper their ditties with words like “Cheerio” to make it seem like they’re from across the pond. But they’re not. I will not lie to you, the chorus on this song simply owns.
12. “Fine by Me” by Andy Grammer | I found this guy while browsing iTunes for under-the-radar folks to include on this year’s collection and I was immediately taken by this jam’s paint-by-number catchiness and Mr. Grammer’s carefree, laid-back style. Jason Mraz and John Mayer were putting out really sleepy stuff this year so I threw caution to the wind and said, “Forget it! I’m gonna put some rando in their place and I’m gonna be happy about it!” His album came out last year but this is his new(er) single so I’m claiming it as a 2012-er for my own selfish purposes.
13. “I Want You Back” by Cher Lloyd | I know what you’re thinking, “Who in the world is Cher Lloyd?” She’s not even big enough to be one of the featured artists at the tail end of a Now That’s What I Call Music! release. To you I say, don’t be a player hater and just listen to this girl grunt with white girl angst just about every 10 seconds in this song. I truly cannot stop listening to her Ritalin-exposed rumination on lost love. It’s nothing like the Jackson 5 tune with which it shares a moniker, but it’s similarly spiffy in all senses of the word.
14. “Hollywood” by RAC feat. Poison Penguin | If you know me, you know I don’t consciously seek out artists that find themselves most comfortable as the background music at a Willimasburg bonfire night (I’m physically just not that cool) but you also know that I have friends who majored in this type of music in college (almost literally) and every now and then I’ll hear a song that fits this bill that I can call my own. This is such a song. RAC is an Arizona-based alt surfer boy outfit that apparently specializes in breezy concoctions that make me smile. And I’m guessing Poison Penguin is one of the villains in the new Christopher Nolan Batman flick? Discuss.
15. “She’s So Mean” by Matchbox Twenty | If you know me at all, you know I’m obsessed with the 90s. And, more specifically, 90s music. Matchbox Twenty almost singularly represents this golden era in music for me… something about Rob Thomas’ precise lite rock vocals, their approachable grooves, or the fact that almost every radio format can get away with playing something from one of their albums. When I saw this single to their upcoming project North (due in September) pop up online, I knew before I even listened to it that it was destined for summer mix glory. And then I listened to it, with its hummable pre-chorus that builds into a sensible, contained pop/rock denouement and it was like these guys had never left my life for the past 10 years. Welcome back.
16. “Be Careful What You Ask For” by Everclear | Speaking of the 90s, you guys, Everclear is still around. I’m not kidding. Their brand new effort Invisible Stars takes their signature sound and puts it squarely in the middle of today’s predictable radio dial while still remaining true to their “I Will Buy You a New Life” / “Father of Mine” glory days. I’m pretty sure no one on this song was around for those earlier years (except probably the lead dude) but it’s not like we’re talking about rock royalty here. It’s Everclear! They’re disposable. And so is this song. (And I mean that in the best possible way.)
17. “Hard Way Home” by Brandi Carlile | There are certain artists I include on these mixes not because they will become the next radio darling but simply because they are credible artists who make good music. I’ve been a fan of Brandi since Day One and her new album makes me want to move up into the mountains, chop wood, and drink something warm. Not sure if that makes it the most likely contender for summer mix inclusion, but this jaunty little gift fits in just fine with its upbeat pacing and Ms. Carlile’s soothing vocals.
18. “Watching You Watch Him” by Eric Hutchinson | Remember that cute little Eric Hutchinson song from a couple years ago called “Rock and Roll”? (True devotees will know it more readily as Track #19 on Mix of the Summer 2009. Snap.) Well apparently that guy is still around! This was actually the first song I decided to put on the mix this year. It was a free iTunes single several months back and I downloaded it on a whim because I liked that other song he had. This is a wistful little number and let’s not pretend like we all haven’t been there… watching someone you like like someone else a heckuva lot more than they like you. Sounds more fun we he sings it!
19. “One Way Ticket” by Carrie Underwood | I’m going to go ahead and give all the credit to this find to one Ms. Katie Scipioni. She heard of my quest to find the most summerworthy jamz over beer and shrimp salad at a surprisingly non-sketchy Jersey Shore watering hole after a day of nothing but roller coasters. She simply mentioned that I should include this album cut from Ms. Underwood’s Blown Away offering in my consideration pool. How right she was. The message of this song is completely in line with the spirit of Mix of the Summer, perhaps more than any other track, and the approach could not be more playful, fun little whistles and all.
20. “Summertime” by Luke Bryan | Country songs can be really gimmicky. Summertime country songs can be even more so. Summertime country songs named “Summertime” have gone so far past the gimmicky line that, well, they’re just kind of brilliant. Luke Bryan’s slow-burning ballad to a girl that makes his speakers go “boom-boom” and rates a “9.9” (which FYI is essentially the same thing as saying there’s a least something a little bit wrong with her) is the only way to end a summer mix. It’s commercial country crooning at its best and will make you want to immediately listen to One Direction upon completion. Lather, rinse, repeat y’all!

So I’m going to be spending the next few days (weeks, months?) pressing these things. I actually put aside a budget for mailing them this year. So if you want one, let me know and if I get my act together (that’s a big if) your mailbox might be graced with one.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Today is important for two reasons. A. Mix of the Summer 2011 officially drops and you can all stop wondering what in the world to listen to during your beach-bound road trips and backyard barbecues. B. I have finally come to the realization that this blog is now merely a receptacle for announcing my mixes because I clearly haven’t posted an update since last year’s release date. Excuse me while I blush in embarrassment.

I will say, though, that if there were any reason to revive this ole relic of a web log, it would be the time-honored tradition of picking 20 carefree summer jams and packaging them into a nice little compilation for my friends everywhere! Before delving into my mix-making philosophy and a little commentary on each of this year’s selections (unabashedly stealing this idea from the equally gifted mix master Dawn Kusinski), please remember that I do not make these mixes to be highbrow and I do not make these mixes to predict the next chart toppers. I make these mixes because they make me happy. And I can only hope they make you happy too.

1. “Bright Lights Bigger City” by Cee Lo Green | The most important ingredient to any mix CD is the first track. If it sucks, chances are your listener will abandon your efforts right then and there. Cee Lo’s up-and-coming selection from his Lady Killer set does not disappoint and I would also be so bold as to argue that it’s better than his better known tune “F*ck You” which is destined to live in the outer realms of ubiquity until the Lord comes home. “Bright Lights” is ghetto epicness at its finest and I dare you not to put it on when you’re primping to go out prior to a night on the town.
2. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)” by Katy Perry | There were several Katy Perry cuts that could have easily made the list this year, but there’s something so bubbly and tickety-tack about this song that made it the clear winner when all was said and done. Props to you if you can successfully memorize the litany of mistakes that make up the chorus (it took me a few weeks but I’ve got it down pat now!) and double props if you immediately watch the accompanying music video, featuring cameos by Rebecca Black, Hanson and Debbie… I’m sorry Deborah Gibson.
   
3. “Don’t Turn Out the Lights” by NKOTBSB | I’m not gonna lie. I’m slightly ashamed that this song is on the CD. In all honesty, I wasn’t intending to put a boy band song on this year’s mix and, quite frankly, I was mildly surprised to discover that boy bands were still around. Although these guys will obviously never return to the height of their respective popularities, they can still maneuver their way around a guilt-inducing infectious pop ditty. And for that I am grateful. And I know (secretly) you are too.
4. “What the Hell” by Avril Lavigne | Unbeknownst to America, there was a neck-and-neck race between this Avril track and her new single “Smile” (which is quite cute, given the source) to make this year’s summer mix, but I opted for this frothy confection of oh-so-transparent angst because it’s Avril doing what Avril does best: laying down an earnest lyric of nonconformity over the catchiest pop rock melody you’ve ever heard. You’ve gotta love the irony. I almost made this the lead song of the collection, but I didn’t want to get too repetitious for any longtime subscribers who would immediately notice I did the same thing with her playground jam “Girlfriend” on Mix of the Summer 2007.
5. “Marry You” by Bruno Mars | I didn’t have to think very long to decide that I would not include any songs from the Glee kids on this year’s mix. I mean, they steal people’s music, they vacillate between adorable and annoying like the two are going out of style and, most importantly, these things have to be evergreen, people! If I looked back at this mix in 2045, I would undoubtedly judge myself for including such material. That being said, the episode where they sang this at the nuptials of Finn’s mom and Kurt’s dad was totes presh… and I had no idea it was Bruno Mars at the time! I have since corrected this oversight and find it to be an altogether winning summery serenade.
6. “I Do” by Colbie Caillat | Did anyone else really like William on this season The Bachelorette before that God-awful episode with the roast (that Ashley clearly greenlit, btw)? He was seriously my first pick until that moment based on his goofy first date that found the two traipsing through Vegas and “almost eloping” before stumbling upon (surprise!) Colbie Caillat performing a private concert of this song just for them. Suffice it to say, this track is heads and tails above “On the Wings of Love” and it’s under three minutes which is great from a mix-making standpoint. That is to say, you have to have a small selection of short tracks to ensure you’ll have enough room for the longer ones you really love and still meet your 20-song quota.
7. “Love on Top” by Beyonce | “Run the World (Girls)” is too bizarre and “Best Thing I Never Had” is legit but a little too melancholy for the summer mix so Ms. Knowles is represented here by this sizzling effort from her upcoming fourth studio album. The whole set is essentially her getting in the mood to have Jay-Z’s babies (thought courtesy of Rachel Perkins) which primarily results in slow jam sexytime music. This is hands down the most effervescent song of the bunch and it’s hard not to ride the waves of euphoria with Queen B (she changes keys, what, like five times?!) as she wails of her love for her man. Think of it as “Dreamlover” but 18 years later.
8. “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj | Finally, I think I get Nicki Minaj. She’s been buzzy and overhyped for the better part of two years (granted I’m not her target audience) which has resulted in a number of satisfying featured slots on other artist’s singles but nary a huge hit of her own. Until now. I don’t think “Super Bass” will be a blockbuster, but it’s her best shot, mind-boggling rhymes, infectious hooks and all. She has a really distinctive, guttural style to her rapping… and her sentiments are pretty lovely too: “He might sell coke”? That’s awesome! Bring him home to mom! We’ll just say this one is #winning.
9. “The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga | I had many sleepless nights agonizing over which Gaga track to bless you with on this anthology. Well maybe not sleepless, but I did give it some good thought. To that end, “Government Hooker” and “You and I” are just so dandy they merit mixes of their own. (Maybe I’ll make a B-Sides album this year!) Current single “The Edge of Glory” won out in the end and, indeed, has it all: pulsing dancey vibe complete with unforgettable chorus (oh hey Cher’s “Song for the Lonely”! Is that you with a weave?!), bawse vocals, and that no-brainer Clarence Clemons sax solo. God rest his retro-licious soul.
10. “Jet Lag” Simple Plan featuring Natasha Bedingfield | This song brings to mind a myriad of questions… Is Natasha Bedingfield dating against the pop star food chain and doing the nasty with one of the kids from Simple Plan? Don’t all throwaway pop acts live in L.A. and, if so, why are these two having such insurmountable time zone issues? And, holy 2002, how is Simple Plan still together?! In a case such as this, it’s best not to think too hard and just enjoy this cute collab which is simultaneously tuneful and completely out of left field. Special thanks to James and Marissa Rosano for notifying me of this offering… over margaritas and an ebonics primer.
11. “I Feel Like Dancin’” by All Time Low | The lyrics to this song sit right up there with Plato in my opinion. There’s something about the idea of partying like it’s my civil right that just sits so right with me. Furthermore, the line that says “Now I know how Ke$ha must be feeling” in reference to some guy touching his junk made me literally laugh out loud (or LOL for those of you who don’t speak longhand). Just call it my sly way of getting Ke$ha on the mix without actually having to put Ke$ha on my mix. This one narrowly beat out Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight, Tonight” for the completely sugary alt-pop slot. I’m glad it won.
12. “Call Your Girlfriend” by Robyn | Let me just say that Robyn was very low on my maybe list for inclusion on the mix this year (shameful, I know) until one enchanting evening when Emily Bines proceeded to play it on repeat for what must have been at least 10 times during a fateful Williamsburg dance party. Welp, now it’s essentially my anthem for the summer even if it was released back in the dark ages of 2010. But for good reason! Its sly approach to the subject of infidelity is downright cheeky. Of course we would expect nothing less from our favorite Swedish pop tart!
13. “Someone Like You” by The Summer Set | What up Razor and Tie?! I had no idea these guys existed until my darling roommate turned me onto their latest single, which I later learned is off of their sophomore LP (due out next month). And no, this little gem is not the theme song of the similarly titled classic Ashley Judd / Hugh Jackman romcom about bull mating and sexual politics, but it’s equally as endearing. Think acoustic pop, meets guy lead singer who almost sounds like a girl, meets sweet sentimentality and you’ve got all the fixins for this ever-lovin’ summertime track.
14. “Different” by Ximena Sariñana | What up Q Prime?! The lovely Anna Pandorf also turned me on to this stone cold winner and I’m not just putting it on the mix to make her happy. (Though I will gladly welcome any and all perks its inclusion might afford me via your client roster, AP!). Ximena has a cool pop/rock/jazz vibe going for her that doesn’t necessarily point to her Mexican roots (well, not here anyway) but it does highlight her extreme adorability. Think Sara Bareilles meets Ingrid Michaelson. And if those two artists are the same to you then you will probably hate this whole mix and why have you even read up to this point? For a bonus dose of cuteness go look up the lyrics video (different that the music video) for this track. It stars a puppet who is obsessed with Ximena. Weeeeee!
15. “MoneyGrabber” by Fitz and the Tantrums | These guys were actually the first track I knew would go on the mix and one Ms. Holly Darnell confirmed their needed presence during our glorious Grayton Beach vacay earlier this summer. They fall at the beginning of a three-track section I lovingly call the Under the Radar set. This track is all Motown horns and neo soul. Please partake of its wannabe retro goodness immediately and thank me later.
16. “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People | This song could very well be the lovechild of Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.” and the theme song to The Drew Carey Show. (You know the one… “All the little chicks with the crimson lips go, ‘Cleveland rocks…’”) I know that might not sound like a compliment, but it is. “Pumped Up Kicks” goes down as entry #2 in the Under the Radar section and it’s best not to listen too closely to the lyrics as they are ambiguously disturbing. Some kid named Robert finds a gun and his daddy comes home bringing a surprise? I bet it’s not a puppy! I also bet I don’t care because this song is eerily delightful.
17. “Young Blood” by The Naked and Famous | Closing out the Under the Radar trio is this precocious offering from the New Zealand quintet The Naked and Famous. I should really clear up what I mean by Under the Radar at this point… essentially it means that the number of songs these bands have had played on Gossip Girl most likely outweighs their album sales by a 2:1 ratio. But no matter. Even if they don’t become any more famous (or naked?) than they are now, these kiddos will ride the groove of their atmospheric indie rock all the way off into the sunset of your heart.
18. “Put You in a Song” by Keith Urban | Call me a sucker for missing Music Row, but the country section of the summer mix has been expanded from one song to three this year. And leave it to me to pick the three most homogenized country songs on the radio right now! Chief among them is Keith Urban’s ode to love so uncategorizable he must sing about it. And not just in any song… this song! What’s that you say? A country song with gimmicky word play? I’ve never heard such a brilliant idea! Urban is the king of windows down, sunshiny anthems and this is a worthy addition to his canon. That Kidman chick must feel pretty dern special.
19. “Mine” by Taylor Swift | Sometimes I think about not putting T. Swift on a summer mix. And then I die a little bit inside. What’s not to love? She’s young, she’s talented, and her songs are simple but they have such a sweet honesty to them that most people would be lucky to concoct by artificial means. Pretty sure Tay Tay sang this at a special concert I attended with Kira, Betz and Brenty prior to her third album selling a patrillion copies. All the new cuts were vaguely catchy at first but I knew every last one of them would eventually end up stuck in my head. They always do. That saucy minx.
20. “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean featuring Kelly Clarkson | I know what you’re thinking. “Why would Andrew end such a peppy mix with such a low key slow burn?” And to that I answer: because it’s tradition! I can’t think of a better slow burn than this bluesy duet between Jason Don’t-Own-Another-Song-By-Him Aldean and Kelly She-Should-Never-Leave-Country Clarkson. It’s standard paint-by-number perfect Nashvegas balladry with Clarkson’s ballin’ pipes thrown in for good measure. Listen to her effortless riffs at the end of the second verse (“it’s a sad goodbyeyeyeyeye”)… a fitting farewell to this year’s summertime collection indeed!

So there you have it: Mix of the Summer 2011. If you live in the NYC area, chances are you will have one of these forced upon you by me in the coming weeks. If you don’t live near me and would like a copy, e-mail me your address and I will try my darndest to snail mail you one but know that I have to pay Manhattan rent once a month and I might need to wait until my next paycheck to afford the postage.

Happy Summer to all!

In honor of the record high temps in NYC, I’ve decided to make today the official drop date of Mix of the Summer 2010. If you’ve received it before now, consider yourself lucky.

If you don’t have it in your hot little hands yet, let me know and I’ll do my best to get you a copy.

Click on the super fancy album design at right to see the full track listing. (And try not to judge me for my shameless affinity for pop music.)

Me gusto mucho el verano.

What makes me smile on a Wednesday? I would have to say that today it is a combination of (a.) hopelessly cheesy 80s pop music and (b.) heading to my big-boy job amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city knowing that somewhere back in Nashville kids are pretending to be interested in their syllabi and hoping they have at least a few friends in their classes this semester. I offer to them a haughty chortle… and this playlist that I will be listening to while making my way to the R train.

1. 9 to 5 | Dolly Parton | 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs | If Dolly lived on the East Coast, I suppose she would have named this song “10 to 6.” But, then again, an East Coast Dolly is as close to an oxymoron as you’re gonna get. This bouncing confection was almost enough to keep the musical of the same name open through the end of the summer. Wah Wah. You’ve got one week left if you still want to catch it in the lamest house ever erected on Broadway.

2. You Make My Dreams | Hall & Oates | Voices | Never mind the molestache in their creepy cover art, this 1980 Hall & Oates classic was recently brought back to the limelight with its key placement in the I’m-trying-so-hard-not-to-be-indie film 500 Days of Summer. For me, the most lasting image from that movie is Joseph Gordon-Levitt traipsing through L.A. to this song, full-on Disney musical style. I should have his choreography down pat by the end of the week.

3. Uptown Girl | Billy Joel | An Innocent Man | I’m admittedly late to the game on this one, but my obsession du jour over the past few weeks has been none other than Mr. Billy Joel. I mean, have you listened to this CD? It’s flawless! Mix 50s rockabilly goodness with 60s doo-wopping genius and you get a record that just barely missed the Best Album Grammy (it lost to some set named Thriller…). This song in particular makes me excited for the return of the modern-day uptown girls.

4. Escapade | Janet Jackson | Rhythm Nation 1814 | I think Janet was at her peak when she was wearing oddly apocalyptic military gear and strutting around with her snazzy Paula Abdul dance moves. Don’t you? This track is as fun and effervescent as they get. Funky and sweet in all the right places. Like me. (Ha!)

5. Get Out of My Dreams (Get Into My Car) | Billy Ocean | Tear Down These Walls | Admit it. You are a fan of songs with titles that feature self-important parenthetical information. Well, I am too. And this Billy Ocean gem is no exception. It’s a tricky one to find, though. I scoured iTunes for days (months, years?) before finally finding it on Amazon (the website… not the rainforest). This song would make me miss my beloved Honda Civic if it weren’t so dern catchy.

You’re probably one of the millions of people who roll their eyes whenever you see a new “NOW That’s What I Call Music!” commercial on TV. You think to yourself, “How in the world can they really be up to that many installments?!” That number of installments reaches 31 today, to be exact. (It’s up to well above twice that much over in Europe…) Well, I answer you, I am precisely the reason there are that many installments of the ubiquitous compilation series. With my undying love for trashy pop music, I have made somewhat of a ritual out of going to Best Buy the day a new addition to the lineup drops and padding my own iTunes collection with 20 unabashedly frothy musical confections for the low price of $9.99. You are not obligated to adopt my practice, but you are welcome to be jealous that I have amassed a veritable time capsule of Top 40 music over the past 10 years. In honor of NOW 31’s release today, I have concocted an extra special mix, highlighting my favorite track from each of the previous editions…

1. “Together Again” / Janet Jackson
2. “My Favorite Mistake” / Sheryl Crow
3. “Out of My Head” / Fastball
4. “I Knew I Loved You” / Savage Garden
5. “I Think I’m in Love with You” / Jessica Simpson
6. “Drive” / Incubus
7. “What Would You Do?” / City High
8. “U Got It Bad” / Usher
9. “Family Affair” / Mary J. Blige
10. “Always on Time” / Ja Rule feat. Ashanti
11. “Underneath It All” / No Doubt
12. “Like I Love You” / Justin Timberlake
13. “Big Yellow Taxi” / Counting Crows feat. Vanessa Carlton
14. “Stacy’s Mom” / Fountains of Wayne
15. “Toxic” / Britney Spears
16. “Hey Ya!” / Outkast
17. “Goodies” / Ciara
18. “Collide” / Howie Day
19. “Hollaback Girl” / Gwen Stefani
20. “Fix You” / Coldplay
21. “My Humps” / Black Eyed Peas
22. “Move Along” / The All-American Rejects
23. “Too Little Too Late” / JoJo
24. “Say It Right” / Nelly Furtado
25. “Girlfriend” / Avril Lavigne
26. “The Way I Are” / Timbaland
27. “No One” / Alicia Keys
28. “Bleeding Love” / Leona Lewis
29. “Come on Get Higher” / Matt Nathanson
30. “Sweet Thing” / Keith Urban