Memorial Day has come and gone and June is upon us. The beer's on ice, the grill is hot and the backyard is ready for use and abuse. Crank 'em up and join me in a celebration of the best damn summer songs I can dredge up from my admittedly scrambled memories.

it just sounded like walking the streets in July as the dog days really clamped down on the city. Dragging my rear end out to the lake just for the breeze, almost not even seeing the girls.. almost...

Yeah - it's a little schmaltzy, but can't beat it on the beach as the fire flickers to life with a sun warmed hottie curled up against you. The Beach Boys made my dating life so much simpler back in the day...

Janis - 'nuf said. pass that doob and give another one back, bartender

Parties were just more fun on the beach, in the backyard or by a pool. the beer tasted better, the girls were smiling and the music sounded happy to be out of the basement for a change

It's not like summer doesn't inspire anthems even today, right? there's something about the first time you drop the top and leave it down until you roll up well after midnight with the radio blasting

Get out there and take those chances you didn't want to take when you were freezing and miserable. heck - summer can even make this one sound good: