The 10 best songs about the sun

ABB added a little sunshine to its life. You too can embrace the sun by adding these songs to your playlist.

There’s been plenty of talk about the sun here at ABB this week, and for good reason. You may have heard about ABB’s faithful leap into solar power. So it seems appropriate for Patrick and I to use the opportunity to openly mock each other, and our tastes (or in Patrick’s case, most likely lack of taste) in music by listing some of our favorite songs about the sun.

Lost on Patrick, no doubt, will be my amazing picks from legends like Bob Marley and The Beatles. Lost on me, thankfully, will be Patrick’s sappy references to lovey dovey movies containing “boy meets girl. boy falls in love with girl. boy is afraid of commitment and leaves girl. boy runs back to girl realizing he can’t live without girl” plotlines.

So let’s celebrate the arrival of spring by adding these sunny classics to our sunny playlists, so we can ride off into the sun (in our sunny electric vehicles, no doubt.)

Ilona’s picks

1. “Sunshine Reggae” or “Sun is Shining” by Bob Marley – Because it’s practically a crime to make a list like this without mentioning Bob Marley. And it’s impossible to pick just one, so it’s a tie. But picture yourself on the beach on vacation, sun setting beautifully over it… this reggae legend should be right there dancing with you.

2. “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine” by 5th Dimension – Because honestly, it’s probably one of the greatest songs ever written about the sun. When my mother heard me listening to a remix of it a few years ago, she told me about about how she used to dance to this in 1969 (yes, to my surprise even in the Soviet Union teenagers danced to this kind of music, but probably under the influence of vodka, not other substances). I’m not a huge fan of remakes, but it’s nice when songs get passed down from generation to generation, like this one.

3. “Might as Well Be Walking On the Sun” by Smash Mouth – Because while I was a child of the 80s, I was a teenager of the 90s, when happy bands like Smash Mouth came along and took the spotlight away from angst-y grunge bands. But picture, if you can, a very, very awkward and pimply version of me, (again, only if you can) transitioning from ripped t-shirts and Doc Martens to baby t-shirts and platform sneakers, listening to this song whilst pining for some boy who did not like me back.

4. “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves – Because who can forget John Travolta’s first attempt at a comeback when he danced around with baby Mikey in the movie “Look Who’s Talking”? While it would take another 5 years to solidify his return with a little ‘ole movie called “Pulp Fiction”, there’s no doubt his dance moves set to this 80s classic certainly got the ball rolling.

5. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles – Because I have a weakness for all Beatles songs written by George Harrison, and this one is a masterpiece. Saved the best for last, nothing more to say.

Patrick’s picks

I must confess: I’m not big on songs. Naturally, I like listening to music. Unfortunately though, I can hardly say I have favorites, and I barely remember the names of those I do like… You see, dear reader, unlike Ilona, I spent my childhood with books. You could say my upbringing was wasted on reading, my youthful years squandered on fiction and classic novels, immersed in the tales of the Brothers Grimm or the heartbreaking journey of The Little Prince.

So, for once, it seems Ilona has more to say than me on a topic. Nevertheless, it’s not like me to give up (something else my upbringing taught me, Ms. Braverman). In that sense: the challenge is on! Here are my picks:

1. “Sunshine Reggae” by Bob Marley – because it’s such a great song that even I can remember its title. And it deserves to be named twice – to me, that’s double platinum.

2. “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers – because it so totally reminds me of the movie “Notting Hill”, which I so totally love, because I so totally love the city of London and Julia Roberts and, even more, Hugh Grant… any comments on my affection for Hugh will be simply ignored.

3. “Island in the Sun” by Weezer – to me, this is the classic rainy day song. Something for those faint-hearted hours and long lazy days… (and, once again, it reminds me of London).

4. “California Sun” by Ramones – the fact that this song was written way back in 1961 and covered by numerous bands is proof enough that it deserves to be named here. Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed Ilona didn’t come up with it – it is from her era.

5. “Sun” by Catpower – OK, I don’t really really count this as a favorite. But Catpower just happens to be the favorite singer of my favorite person. So this pick is my homage to my favorite person and my way of spreading love. Because, after all: spreading love is what songs are all about, right?

What is your favorite song about the sun?