Now that summer has arrived we can begin handicapping the song that will dominate the airwaves this summer.
What It Will Be: “Mercy” by Duffy
You’ll be immediately captivated by the warmth and beauty of Duffy’s voice but the beat-heavy R&B swing, a bit reminiscent of Aretha Franklin’s “Freeway of Love,” is the secret weapon driving this song. Maybe it is me, but doesn’t the spoken word break bear a striking resemblance to Run-DMC’s “Tricky”?
What It Should Be: “Sequestered in Memphis” by the Hold Steady
Only Craig Finn could take a line like “subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis” and set it against a euphoric beat — heavy on horns — to get the summer party started.
Now it is your turn. What is your pick? Bonus points if you give the odds…
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night. 
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
I am digging “I’m Amazed” by My Morning Jacket. The lyrics offer a simplistic, but fresh ponderance on what we accept as social norms…and still rocks.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
…sorry, I didnt give odds…it was played on SNL, but this track is still a dark-horse and the entire CD isnt very accessible for the swimming pool & bbq crowd…50-1
July 4th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Ditto on “I’m Amazed”. I can’t help but crank that song to eleven.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
[…] Handicapping the Songs of Summer [Twangville] […]
July 10th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Tom,
do you crank it to 11 because your speaker goes to 11, instead of just making 10 louder…i mean, it’s 11, so it’s one louder….
July 10th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Dude, 11 is sooooo much louder than 10 when you boom the way I do.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I am sure. Everytime I see a “turn it to 11″ reference, I like to resort to “Spinal Tap” speak….