Songs and the City

Songs of summer: Jesus kicks the Beach Boys' butt, Joni Mitchell cooks the lawn & Brigitte Bardot ... sizzles

Joni Mitchell's "The Hissing of Summer Lawns"

Summer is in full swing, at least according to the mercury if not the calendar. As the days continue to heat up, here are some tunes to keep you free and easy.

What are some your favorite summertime songs?

"Surfin' USA (Summer Mix)" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

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The mere thought of the Scottish distortion kings tackling the sunny California pop of the Beach Boys is enough to perk up your ears. But once you hear it blasting from your speakers it makes perfect sense. The Reid brothers always knew their way around a sugary melody and they give this surf classic a kick in the ass, infusing it with a Pentecostal fervor and ladling on layer after layer of guitar fuzz and feedback. It's a thrilling update to a timeless pop nugget.

"Camino del Sol" by Antena

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"The best French-Belgian electro-samba record you've never heard." And so reads the tag-line for Antena's "El Camino Del Sol," the trio's criminally overlooked record from 1982 that was heavy on charm and way ahead of its time. In case your french is rusty, the lyrics reel off a litany of words associated with a tropical summer vacation to Palm Beach: Seaside resort, tropical climate, jet lag, friendly atmosphere, sauna, steam bath, tennis, Air Florida, the way of the sun.

"Here Comes the Summer" by The Fiery Furnaces

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Brother and sister duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger turn in a winner with this bouncy pop song about the approaching summer season. "I’ve been waiting since I don’t know when and now it finally seems about to start," Eleanor sings, the excitement in her voice palpable. This song is for anyone's who's ever spent long, cold winters counting down the days to June.

"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" by Joni Mitchell

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A brilliant title, it not only rolls off the tongue, but it perfectly captures the sound of a scorching summer afternoon in Houston when you can literally hear the heat. Seriously, when July rolls around step outside and listen to the lawn. The hissing is even more pronounced after the grass is watered. But before you step out, revel in this jazzy track from one of Joni Mithcell's best mid-period albums.

"Cool Ice Cream" by Eddy Current Suppression Ring

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"Chocolate, vanilla, forever! I just wanna eat you for dinner. Cool ice cream. Cool ice cream." Need I say more?

"Sincerely Hot" by Domenico + 2

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This trio includes the offspring of some of Brazil's musical royalty, including Moreno Veloso (son of Caetano) and Domênico Lancellotti (son of Ivor). An infectious stew of samba, bossa nova, tropicalia, rock and electronica, "Sincerely Hot" is just that — a scorching groove that burns like the Houston summer sun. The song, and the album from which it comes, makes the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon by the pool.

"Swimming Pools" by Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

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Speaking of pools, this rollicking track by Thao Nguyen heralds the age-old activity of doing the cannonball into and splashing around in an aqua blue swimming pool. The lyrics reference chlorine-laden water and nothing screams summer more than the chemical's comforting odor and the burning eyes that comes with a day in the pool.

"It's Summer" by the Tempations

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Oooh yeah! The Temptations turn up the heat with this laid back celebration of summer. Taken from the vocal group's 1970 "Psychedelic Shack" LP, it features basso Melvin Franklin cooly reciting the song's lyrics in spoken verse.

Throw in some syrupy strings and the quartet's trademark harmonies in all their stereo-shifting glory and you've got the ideal accompaniment for some sweet summer romance.

"Le Soleil" by Brigitte Bardot

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There was once a claim that Bardot did more for the French international trade balance than the entire French car industry. Based on her sensual whispered coo on this ye-ye exultation of the sun, I'd have to agree. Besides, if in 1963 you offered me a choice between an afternoon with Bardot or a brand new Citroën DS, I'd unquestionably select the former.

"Jogging Gorgeous Summer" by Islands

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Steel drums and tin whistle fuel this indie rock rave-up by Canadian upstarts, Islands. It's a perfect summer love song with sweet lyrics and a calypso backbeat that's sure to get you spontaneously dancing along. "Millions of sunsets, but the one I remember is the one where you told me you'd love me forever."

"Funkier than a Mosquito's Tweeter" by Nina Simone

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One of the drawbacks to the summer season is the mosquito plague that comes with it, especially in the swamp we call home. No worries, Nina Simone will distract you from the itchy swollen red bumps with a thoroughly groovy tribal rendition of "Funkier than a Mosquito's Tweeter."

"The Beach Party" by Hot Chip

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One of electronic pop's most sophisticated practitioners, Hot Chip, don't mince words when it comes to getting down at the shore: "Don't want all this cold cold shit/Throw off your shirt and let's get
hot hot hot ... I've been to all the beaches on the strip and you better believe this shit/I like to dip, dip, dip."

"Summer Babe (Winter Version)" by Pavement

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An off-kilter ode to the summer romance served up in classic Gen-X deadpan. This song never gets old.

TDT (TOKEN DYLAN TRACK)

"In the Summertime" by Bob Dylan

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Dylan's last album from his evangelical Christian phase, 1981's much-maligned Shot of Love has matured remarkably well. Along with "Every Grain of Sand," "In the Summertime" is one of the record's strongest songs.

It features an introspective Dylan looking back on a particularly memorable romance, one that seems to reference both a woman and God. His vocal and harmonica performances are sublime and rank among his best of the decade. If you're a non-believer, give Dylan and his "Shot of Love" another shot.

Let Brigitte Bardot take you back to summer.

where to party on NYE

Close out 2025 with a bang at these Houston New Year's Eve parties

Meow Wolf Houston New Year's Eve

Photo by Cathlin McCullough

Experience sets by four DJs at Meow Wolf.

Whether 2025 has been good or bad, you owe it to yourself to end this year with a bang. And that’s why your friends at CultureMap have laid out more than 20 places – bars, pubs, nightclubs, even a children’s museum – that’ll be closing out 2025 in a grand, festive manner.

Happy New Year, and drink as much bubbly as you can reasonably consume — just leave the driving to someone else:

Art Club’s first NYE will feature one of their favorite artists from this year: Neon Indian. Expect an unpredictable sonic journey with an artist who crafts immersive DJ sets that weave deep cuts, vintage textures, and dancefloor energy. 10 pm.

Axelrad will have a free NYE bash with a champagne toast, a midnight cash ball drop, and live music from bands Azul and Rupert & Friends, as well as DJ sets from Rikkiton, Eleven Toes Down, and IYKYK. Shop Local Market will also be there with vendors. 7 pm.

Bar Boheme will get the New Year started with Rudy Rincon & GRUPO KACHE, delivering infectious rhythms that'll have people dancing all night long. They’ll also have an all-you-can-eat buffet until 10 pm, a champagne toast with grapes, and more. 7 pm.

Best Regards will transform into a full winter wonderland/Alps-inspired Après-Ski lounge for “An Après Affair.” For this champagne-forward celebration (complete with DJ-led energy building to a midnight toast), faux fur, metallics, and "Alpine-chic" attire are encouraged. 8 pm.

Children’s Museum Houston will throw its annual NYE-during-the-day bash for kids, where they’ll be counting down until the clock strikes noon. The first 200 children will receive “Happy New Year” necklaces to kick off the celebration. 9 am.

Constellation Field in Sugar Land will host a midnight fireworks display as part of its Sugar Land Holiday Lights display. Adults (21-plus) can upgrade to the New Year's Eve Ball in the Regions Bank Club that includes an open bar, DJ, a champagne toast, and premium seating for the fireworks. 6 pm.

Dan Electro’s will be mixing vibes, funk, world reggae, and rock & roll for a New Year's concert in the Heights. Bayou City Funk, demrootsmusic, and Charlie Danger’s Jet Set will play the music, while champagne will be available for purchase. 8:30 pm.

The Flat will be opening its doors to partygoers looking to ring in the New Year with Jamaican grooves. For this NYE edition of “Reggae Wednesday,” Flabba Dabba and KingFari will be spinning tunes while Caribbean food will be available on the patio. 9 pm.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium will have its third annual, interactive murder-mystery event on NYE. Ticket holders get access to the mystery and a complimentary welcome beer or cocktail, as well as private dining and access to their cocktail and reserve beer menu. 7 pm.

The Foundation Room at House of Blues will get real soulful with “If It Don't Feel Like 90s RnB: New Year's Eve Edition.” Host/local R&B vocalist Keith Jacobs will be providing the vocals, while The Ken Chatham Project serves up the sounds. 9 pm.

Grooves of Houston will throw a “Tux & Tennies” party, where dressing up in your finest evening wear (complete with fresh fly kicks) is a requirement. There will be a midnight cash balloon drop, a champagne toast, a brunch buffet, and much more. 8 pm.

Heights Social will be the starting point for the Heights NYE celebration on W. 20th St. For $60 (and two drinks), you can skip the line and check out the parties at Heights Social, BLVD Park, Say No Mas, and Cattlemen’s Country Club. 8 pm.

Hotel Saint Augustine will be throwing a free soiree in their listening lounge. Described as an evening “filled with elegance and indulgence,” with a complimentary midnight toast. But, to be honest, they had us at “music, decadent caviar, and truffles.” 9 pm.

Hotel ZaZa Memorial City will roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood-style NYE, so dress to impress. Wine, beer and cocktails will be flowing, with a bubbly toast popping off at midnight. There will also be live entertainment and a hors d'oeuvres station. 10 pm.

Houston Museum of Natural Science will ring in the New Year with “Mixers and Elixirs: New Year's Eve.” Enjoy live music from Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band, and catch a screening of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) in the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre. 9 pm.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck continues its tradition of celebrating Irish New Year’s Eve, where they get their “Auld Lang Syne” on at 6 pm. Pat Byrne, Kristopher Wade, EJ Jones, and Frances Cunningham will be around with some fiddle music. 4:30 pm.

Meow Wolf Houston will have its first-ever NYE celebration inside Radio Tave, giving guests full access to explore the worlds while moving through distinct DJ-driven zones. The lineup features Houston artists Machine Elves, IMAX713, PHARAX, and KINOTE. 8 pm.

Neil’s Bahr will be adding something new to their annual NYE rager – karaoke! At their new location, partygoers will get the chance to sing their heads off. The party will also offer cheap champagne, classic cocktails, silly hats, and all the free hors d'oeuvres you can handle. 8 pm.

Numbers will serve up another NYE spectacular, which includes a $2,026 balloon drop at midnight, along with a champagne toast, and complimentary party favors. Longtime Numbers DJ Wes Wallace will be in the booth spinning. 9 pm.

Off the Record Listening Bar is planning a big New Year's bash with live sets from Keith Jacobs (again) & the B-Sides Band, DJ Ortiz, DJ Youngstreetz, and FlemmDoggyDogg. A welcome cocktail is given to the first 50 RSVPs. 8 pm.

Pimlico Irish Pub will continue its tradition of celebrating NYE on Ireland time, when the clock strikes midnight at 6 pm. They will have complimentary swag, a champagne toast, and a livestream of the Ireland NYE celebration. 2 pm.

POST’s New Year's Eve Celebration features a Great Gatsby-inspired celebration of glitz, glamour and over-the-top excitement. The grand finale will be a midnight fireworks spectacle orchestrated by pyrotechnic artists Celestial Displays. 9 pm.

Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top Lounge will have a NYE bash with performances by rockabilly group Shame on Me, synth-punk rockers TV Dolls, and Americana band Brightwire. There will also be a free champagne toast at midnight. 8 pm.

The Spot Lounge & Bar will celebrate NYE with its signature welcoming energy, music, handcrafted cocktails, and bubbly. A limited-edition, holiday cocktail lineup features festive twists on classics, blending bold seasonal flavors with approachable comfort. 2 pm.

Tejas Brewery will be celebrating the New Year with a rooftop shindig. Your ticket includes a free first beer and a champagne toast at midnight, as well as live music (from brotherly rock trio Wolf Moon) all night and a great view of the downtown fireworks. 8 pm.

Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge will have a special, family-friendly celebration. They’ll be hosting an exclusive ticketed event featuring unlimited sim racing, a live DJ, goodies throughout the night, light bites and, of course, that midnight champagne toast. 7 pm.

houston new year's eve entertainment

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