Summer Soundz

It's summer in Seattle, finally! Today's got a high of 75 degrees, and I will take it gratefully, knowing that Americans everywhere are sweltering in record-breaking heat and humidity. Seattle summer may not arrive until July, but when it does show up there's just no complaining. Except for maybe that the lake is too cold to swim in and that it will still rain intermittently, and honestly when it gets too much above 80 degrees I die. But still, it's summer!

One of my personal most favorite songs of summer is Pavement's "Shady Lane" (the video is directed by Spike Jonze!) It's got Stephen Malkmus' distinct vocals (almost as though he's just talking) over a jolly little upbeat tune that gets me bopping my head or foot every single time. Notably, Malkmus sings in the song's chorus,

Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God
Oh my God, Oh your God, Oh his God, Oh dear God
It's everybody's God, It's everybody's God, It's everybody's God, It's everybody's God
The worlds collide, but all we really want is a shady lane.

This is a quasi-theological thought from a certified indie "god," although as a spiritual writer and trained theologian (have I mentioned I have a master's degree? because I do) I'd probably revise these lyrics to better reflect my theological viewpoint. Kelly's version: "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!" Meh, maybe Malkmus has it right with "everybody's God." So here's to summer, blessed shady lanes and dear, dear God.