End of Summer

I'm back! And on to the next month: September. Ahh, it seems like only yesterday it was April and the anticipation of late summer nights, the start of baseball and a cool glass of Lemonade were in the air.

In response to a fan request, it is only fitting that I make of list of amazing "End of Summer" songs. Now, the key to a great end-of-summer song is that is has to evoke particular emotions and feelings...feelings of summer dreams that were deferred, a summer love that was not meant to be, a cool wind coming in from the north, people leaving the only town they have ever known to start the next chapter of life in college, a sunset, regrets, nostalgia of the best summer of your life. Generally the songs have a sadder feel than a summer song; a much gentler feel. Fall and winter songs are just downright depressing

I'll tell you a bit about one of the best summer's of my life. It was the summer of 2000. The first summer after freshman year of college. I was back in Neenah; the promised land. I hit my stride. Amber and I start going out that spring and we were still in the "limerance" phase of our relationship where we couldn't be apart for more than a day and we hung every night. I would call her as soon as I got home from work and we would talk about what we wanted to do that evening. At the end of the night, I would drive her home, walk her to her door and kiss her goodnight. Every night was charged with excitement.

Andy and I went to so many shows, it was ridiculous; Styx, Kansas, Vic Ferrari; whatever. We would go anywhere to see a show, county fairs, summerfest, festivals all just to satisfy our insatiable urge to learn more about one of our great passions in life. At nights we would go "cruising" into the wee hours of the morning with the music cranked Smoke a cigar, listen to Pink Floyd while hanging out in the hot tub.

I also became really good friends with a lot of the guys from the Cross Country team that year. I think I was more infamous than popular with that crowd during high school. But after freshman year and seeing all the guys again, we hung out a ton and I formed some really strong friendships. Playing cards, going camping, DMB shows; we were always doing something exciting.

You'll know an end-of-summer song when you hear it; it's different for every person.

In no particular order (It's a long one!):

"Nightswimming" - REM
"Find the River" - REM
"The Boys of Summer" - Don Henley
"Backyard" - Guster
"Lithium Sunset" - Sting
"My Sundown" - Jimmy Eat World
"23" - Jimmy Eat World
"Daylight Fading" - Counting Crows
"Holiday in Spain" - Counting Crows
"Dear Valentine" - Guster
"Come Downstairs and Say Hello" - Guster
"Do You Remember" - Phil Collins
"Crawling Back to You" - Tom Petty
"Round Here" - Counting Crows
"I Hope You Dance" - LeeAnn Womack
"Racing in the Street" - Bruce Springsteen
"Darkness on the Edge of Town" - Bruce Springsteen
"The River (Live)" - Bruce Springsteen
"If I Should Fall Behind" - Bruce Springsteen
"The Promise" - Bruce Springsteen
"Sad Eyes" - Bruce Springsteen
"#41" - Dave Matthews Band
"Typical Situation" - Dave Matthews Band
"The Difference" - Matchbox Twenty
"Bed of Lies" - Matchbox Twenty
"Rest Stop" - Matchbox Twenty
"Trouble" - Coldplay
"Don't Panic" - Coldplay
"Secret World" - Peter Gabriel
"Please Don't Ask" - Genesis

I know I missed a lot and this list could go on and on so please post some of your favorite end-of-summer songs if you'd like!

I'll blog about the North Carolina trip soon!