Bloglander

This heat. Ugh.

We in the Inland Northwest are fine with the humidity-free temps swirling around 90 degrees F. But when the thermometer pushes well over 100, as it’s predicted to do this weekend just in time for the Ironman Coeur d’Alene triathalon competition and Hoopfest, we don't quite know how to handle it.

So we've compiled a list of 10 songs to keep your spirits up, in spite of the heat. Feel free to listen to this while eating popsicles and sitting in a ice water-filled kiddie pool. 

10. Fleet Foxes, “Sun It Rises”
This Seattle folk act’s beautiful whiney crooning is perfect for the beginning of a hot, hot day.

9. The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Summer in the City”
It’s no wonder this song topped the Billboard charts back in 1966, it’s just so damn catchy. Plus, the words: “All around, people looking half dead / Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head,” describe this weekend perfectly.

8. Violent Femmes, “Blister in the Sun”
It’s fine that this song isn’t really about the sunshine or the heat at all. Listen anyway, and relive all the other times you got this song stuck in your head.


7. Ella Fitzgerald, “Too Darn Hot”
Because, it is.

6. Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot”
From the start when that tongue clicking beat hits hard, you can’t stop movin’ slowly — maybe a snap of the fingers here or an up and down of the shoulders there. Featuring Pharrell Williams, the 2004 smash was later named the most popular rap song of the decade by Billboard. Clearly.


5. The Rolling Stones, “Play With Fire”
Back when the Rolling Stone looked like wholesome English blokes, they put this smoldering tune on the B-side of a single. Get out your tambourine out for this one.

4. The Prodigy, “Firestarter”
Don’t listen to the Jimmy Eat World reworking of this song, stick with the original in-your-face alt-rock/electronic hit. This one makes you kind of feel sweaty just listening to it. “Hey, hey, hey!”

3. Usher, “Burn”
Did you just break up with someone? Or did you just reach the bottom of your iced tea? As one of Usher’s most heart-felt songs, this ballad burns into the listener and never lets up. It applies to any hardship you may be going through right now. 

2. Fiona Apple, “Hot Knife”
That voice. Powerful and unnerving, Fiona Apple’s husky vocals never cease to amaze. In this one she gets to sing with herself (and her sister) over and over and over again. 

1. Nelly, “Hot in Herre”
You knew there was never going to be another No. 1. This song is dumb, we'll admit it. For the most part, when it gets hot you don’t want people to take off all of their clothes — too much sweat, too much scariness — but it's so much fun to sing along to ... even if you don't want any of it to come true. Embrace the Nelly!