This Friday marks the beginning of summer! The season that some will joyously celebrate or moan for the next three months. Whatever may be your mood, you gotta have some funky summertime beats on your playlists! Last year, I talked about “Summer Vacation” from The Party. I also mentioned last month that the song “Playing With Fire” by Nix will be an awesome tune for your summer playlist. For this post, I want to stick to the 90s for my summer kick-off song but in a different genre with a familiar performer.
If you did, how was it?
I have to yet to see it. The movie theaters have been packed since the movie opened on June 9 here in Japan. But, I am hoping to see it this weekend with my sister.
If you haven’t seen the movie yet or been living under the rock, the movie features Will Smith as the iconic Genie. Now, I know he is not Robin Williams. Also, Robin and Will offer a different perspective to the Genie character: Robin with his stand-up comedy skills and Will with his hip-hop skills. I cannot say who is the best. Each actor has their own skills that are equally great. It isn’t fair to say who is number one. (Same with James Monroe Iglehart, who was the original Genie on the Broadway production.)
As a child of the 90s, I always enjoyed listening to Will Smith’s music. I also loved watching the movies and TV shows that feature him. “Men in Black”, “Miami”, “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It”, and “Wild Wild West” were all staples during my childhood. My favorite of those is “Men in Black” as I remember it was the first song I listened to when I inherited my grandpa’s radio and placed in my bedroom. It would be the kick-off song to my radio listening hobby. (I used to listen to a lot of radio until high school as I was also into shortwave radio.)
Time Sit Back and Unwind
“Men in Black” is a great song. But, my all-time favorite song that features Will is “Summertime” by The Fresh Prince with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Sampling Kool & the Gang’s “Summer Madness”, “Summertime” is a laid back tune that reminiscence the summer spirit. This song feels like a tune that you would listen during the late summer when the sun is setting for the day. The time of the day where you are relaxing under the rays of twilight and the warm summer nights.
This chilled atmosphere is also painted within the lyrics with Will rapping lines like:
And put your car on cruise and lay back ’cause this is summertime”
My sister and I listen to this song everyday when we are getting ready for school and work as it is a great song to get ready to. However, it is also a great song to listen to during the summer nights as it is relaxing, groovy, and chilled.
What do you think of “Summertime”? What is your favorite summer song? Let me know in the comments below.
Bonus Song!
Speaking of Aladdin, here is my favorite song from the new soundtrack. I love this empowering song sung by Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine. I am glad that Jasmine has a voice in the live action adaption.