Springy Time in Los Angeles
For the windows down, seaside cruising moments in your life. |
| 1 |  | Dusty Springfield
Dusty in Memphis
That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho). Delicious to the last drop. Anybody else have a massive crush on women named Dusty? |
| 2 |  | Joe Walsh
But Seriously Folks....
Life's Been Good. My Masterati might not go 185, but I did lose my license and now I can't drive. |
| 3 |  | Linda Ronstadt
Heart Like a Wheel
You're No Good. Cause between the traffic and the perpetual threat of an earthquake plunging us into the ocean, California really ain't no good. But even though we know it's no good for us, we still love it. |
| 4 |  | Commodores
Hot On The Tracks
Fancy Dancer. Boy does Lionel Richie know how to get people rump shakin'. Crank up the bass and bask in some harmoniously funky hooks. |
| 5 |  | Jorge Ben
África Brasil
Ponta de Lanca Africano (Umbabarauma). Thanks to this Brazilian soul master, I'm learning Portugese so girls will like me. It's a language of romance and it does entice me. So far I've learned exotic words like "Obrigado" and "Adriana Lima." |
| 6 |  | White Denim
D
Anvil Everything. Austin-bred jam band heroes who were keeping it weird when it was actually weird to do so. This song makes me feel like I'm flying on an ancient Thunderbird over Monument Valley, but maybe that's just me. |
| 7 |  | Kool and The Gang
Kool and the Gang
Give it Up. Want to feel like you're in a Quentin Tarantino movie? Put this song on and you'll be thirsting for revenge, carrying briefcases, and killing Hitler before you can say "Uma Thurman." |
| 8 |  | The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Electric Ladyland
House is Burning Down. A killer track off my favorite Hendrix album. It's fitting on a list about Los Angeles because this place is literally always on fire. El Fuego. |
| 9 |  | Van Morrison
Saint Dominic's Preview
Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile). I always thought that if Gandalf started a band with the Hobbits backing him, it would sound like Van Morrison. What a magical guy who has a knack for foot-tapping singalongs. |
| 10 |  | Prince
Dirty Mind
Party Up. Prince says it best on the title track of 1999: "Life is just a party, and party's aren't meant to last." That's wisdom worthy of Aristotle. Party up, playas. |
| 11 |  | Thundercat
Drunk
Show You the Way. A conjunction of new soul and old. Let Thundercat, Kenny Loggins, and Michael MacDonald show you the way. By the time Kenny Loggins' starts singing, I'd be surprised if you still have your pants on. |
| 12 |  | Todd Rundgren
A Wizard, A True Star
When the Shit Hits the Fan/Sunset Blvd/Le Feel Internacionale. While this album really should be listened to in its entirety, these three tracks stand out. Todd believes that when it hits the fan, you got to get down to Sunset Boulevard, to, one can only assume, sit in traffic while getting honked at for staring at the neon billboard of the latest Adam Sandler movie for too long. |
| 13 |  | Badfinger
Straight Up
Money - Flying. Sure, it's pricy to live out here, but the tacos and In-N-Out Burger are cheap. |
| 14 |  | Steely Dan
Countdown to Ecstasy
My Old School. Californiaaaa tumbles into the sea. That'll be the day I don't enjoy ol Steely anymore. |
| 15 |  | Marcos Valle
Garra
Com Mais de 30. Google translate says this Portugese phrase means "With More Than 30." Don't know what that has to do with this song, but it does make me want to go to Malibu and have a picnic. |
| 16 |  | Bootsy Collins
Bootsy? Player Of The Year
Bootzilla. YABBA DABBA DOOOZA MAMA. I shout this at people from my car everyday. |
| 17 |  | The Zombies
Odessey and Oracle
Care of Cell 44. Sunshine in sonic form, this is the happiest song about prison ever written. |
| 18 |  | Scritti Politti
Cupid & Psyche 85
Perfect Way. California and the 80's intertwine as sweetly Hall does Oates or Tears do Fears. With this track, Scritti provides a rift in the space time continuum to that point in history when people believed there would be hover boards by now and that their next door neighbors were Soviet spies that looked like Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. |
| 19 |  | Todd Rundgren
Something/Anything?
I Saw the Light. A track that oozes nighttime Los Angeles, made for winding through the twists of Mulholland Drive while gazing down upon the ever-expanding cosmos of the city below. Los Angeles really is designed to look better at night and from up above. |
| 20 |  | NxWorries
Yes Lawd!
Suede. Smooth as mf. Singing along with California native Anderson Paak with have you exclaiming "Yes Lawd!" as well in no time. |
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