Hope everyone's doin' just swell! Me and Johnny are looooving San Francisco. Seriously - what a beautiful city! It actually reminds me a lot of Boston, but with a little less "attitude." In the good way! Although I do miss many things about home, I have to say I'm totally blown beyond all expectations when it comes to how much I'm enjoying it here. Love it!
So tonight me and Johnny spent some time down in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. If that means absolutely nothing to you, don't worry - because you're definitely familiar with the phenomenon that Haight was responsible for: hippies!
Back in 1967, Haight-Ashbury was home to "The Summer of Love," a summer where over 100,000 flower children converged in the neighborhood for one crazy summer of peace, free love, political and cultural rebellion... and oh yeah, some LSD, too. This was the moment when the hippie movement became introduced to mainstream America. Far out, man.
Today, Haight-Ashbury still retains a lot of the same cool, subversive charm. Lots of coffeehouses, vegan restaurants, smoke shops, quirky boutiques, bohemian fashions, sex toys...
... yeah, sex toys!
So, since Johnny had a little fun with our experiences in Japantown last night, I thought I'd keep up the theme and throw out some awesome dance songs with a hippie theme! God, I love themed playlists ;)
Here's 4 for your enjoyment... if you haven't heard 'em, click the song title to sample them on iTunes :)
#4 Global Deejays - "The Sound of San Francisco"
This hit dance track samples a verse from the song "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie. That was a huge hit back in the '60s, and was basically McKenzie's ode to The Summer of Love. The Global Deejays used it to pay tribute to the modern side of San Francisco's culture of love, peace and acceptance: its club culture!
#3 Milk & Sugar - "Let the Sunshine In"
It's not often that a Broadway musical unleashes a #1 hit, but Hair managed to do it back in 1969. Alongside "Age of Aquarius," "Let the Sunshine In" was a pretty signature showtune from that play about hippies... which was also famous for its nudity. Milk & Sugar gave it a dance beat, and ta-da! Another hit, this time in the clubs.
#2 Technohead - "I Wanna Be a Hippy"
Back when I was in junior high, I came across this song on a dance music compilation I bought at the local like, Sam Goody or something. When I heard the lyrics "I Wanna be a Hippy and I want to get stoned / I want to get high but I never know why," I was totally scandalized! Haha. Oh, the innocence of youth. Anyway, I've never been a huge fan of happy hardcore tracks, but this one has a special nostalgic place in my heart. Kind of a neat novelty song.
#1 BT - "Love on Haight Street"
Very cool song. BT conveys the cool, bohemian vibe of Haight with this mellow, ambient track. Just a simple trip-hop beat with a rap laid on top. Perfect soundtrack to a stroll down one of America - hell, the world's! - most important streets in pop culture.
Oki dokes... more to come tomorrow!
JADE
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