Ideal Songs For Porch Drinking Part 22

Karl Karlson9 years ago

You know how it goes. You’ve had a long week, rife with classes and work and other responsibilities, but all you want to do is crack a beer and get some sun. Luckily, your good buddy Karl is here to give you the new edition of Porch Jams, all handpicked from the annals of music to perfectly complement your porch brew experience.

Fan Favorites are picked from the top comment from the previous edition.

My favorite is based on whichever suggested track I dig the most.

Be sure to leave your own suggestions in the comments for a chance to be
featured on next week’s list. Let’s crank some tunes.

Fan Favorite: Floats My Boat, Aer

Suggested by Dthomas1884. If you haven’t become familiar with Aer yet, do it. I caught them live and it was a great show. This song is a mutt, in a good way. It brings a lot of elements together seamlessly to give you a reggae mellow and some hip hop edge.

Karl’s Favorite: Fish and Whistle, John Prine

Suggested by Poopfart. Heh. Poop. This song is not poop. It’s a timeless tribute to simple living and good character. As one would expect, it has some killer whistling aspects and even better guitar. A great song to kick off a day on the river or the porch.

1. 4th of July, Shooter Jennings

A good friend suggested I give Shooter Jennings a listen. It turned out to be a great decision, and I highly recommend giving the rest of his tracks some play time as well. He has a very modern outlaw country feel to his music, and he also gave psychedelic rock a spin. A heavy use of rock drumming gives this song a much different vibe than other songs of the genre, and it’s essential for a day party or small get together.

2. Melissa, Allman Brothers

Speaking of psychedelic rock, the Allman Brothers will leave you feeling mellow with an ode to yet another woman. Those dudes must have pulled like crazy. This one has their signature guitar feel, just slowed down and without as much “oomph” as some of the other songs in their repertoire. It’s still sure to soothe the mind and ease the heart.

3. Another One Bites the Dust, Queen

Make sure your bass is up to the challenge when this song comes on. It’s hard to improve on a song this excellent, but everything’s better with a little bounce. Depending on the context of the week, this banger will either leave you feeling pissed off (in a good way) or simply amped. Either way, your blood will be flowing and so will the blood of your enemies.

4. Say Hello To Heaven, Temple of the Dog

I received multiple requests for Temple of the Dog in the past few weeks, but somehow this song never came up. It’s fun to crack on Eddie Vedder, a fellow Cubs fan and lunatic, but his voice is one of alt rock’s most distinct. He was at his best while working in this group, and it came up that their 25th anniversary tour is right around the corner. With or without Eddie, it sounds like a hell of a trip.

5. What a Day, Poco

Poco, a country rock group that served as the springboard for two Eagles bassists, go full Beatles with this tune. It’s light enough to make you truly believe that it’s a good day regardless of circumstances. It also brings some seriously hot piano at the finale, making it a wonderful transition for any number of songs.

6. Tell Her No, The Zombies

The same group that brings us the iconic line, “Is your daddy rich like me?” steps up to the plate with a perfect line for when that same lady gets clingy. It’s simple enough, two letters that will have her doing the weird sex stuff quicker than you can say “hnnnngh!” Thanks, Zombies, for always being on the side of the single man.

7. Jailbreak, Thin Lizzy

My second favorite afro’d superstar (Shaft is number one) brings his signature sound to a tune about painting the town red. College towns are pretty great, but sometimes you just need to get the hell out and do something crazy. When that feeling strikes, have Thin Lizzy in the tape deck and at least one getaway driver. You’ll thank me later.

8. Three Little Birds, Bob Marley

Two weeks in a row of Bob. I’m on a quest to repent for a criminal lack of reggae in your go to porch drinking set list. For some reason, Chinese restaurants always play this song when you’re hungover and fiending for Tsingtao and General Tso’s. A few refrains and some greasy food/beer and you’ll feel good as new. The video is fucking dope too.

9. Cadillac Style, Sammy Kershaw

Sammy Kershaw is the fucking man. Nothing more needs to be said on that account. As for this song, it opens up with admittance to not being frat icons Burt Reynolds or Tom Selleck. I respect the honesty. I’ve been growing the ‘stache for about two years and it’s nowhere near that luxurious. Plus, the Caddy used to be a go to car for every big baller. People should bring it back.

10. I Got 5 On It, Luniz

This song will have you dabbing like Cam and drinking like Boggs. When Operation Stackola dropped, I was two years old. I like to think that, somehow, the sheer magnitude of its release seeped into my ears from afar and contributed to the man I am today. Thanks Luniz, for making me pretty cool.

11. I Fought The Law, The Bobby Fuller Four

There’s a good chance you’re more familiar with this song’s ugly cousin, “I Fought the Wall,” but the Bobby Fuller version is still the most iconic. Sure, Hank Jr. gave it a very strong go and The Clash even made a decent take, but this is a clean cut case of the original coming out superior.

12. Mama Told Me (Not to Come), Three Dog Night

Pour some whiskey in your water. The band said to, and you have to do what bands say. Three Dog Night hasn’t made an appearance since the very first installment of what turned into one hell of a series, so it’s fitting to toss this all-time great in the mix as we near the six month anniversary of this series. It’s a celebration, motherfuckers.

13. Working For The Weekend, Loverboy

Cowbell, a powerful intro, and a relatable premise. When it comes down to it, that’s what makes a porch song ideal. In terms of staying power, this jam has kept Loverboy relevant for decades. We had an alumnus lose his fucking mind when this song came on at a tailgate, so it’s highly recommended to keep it in your game day listing as well. People will eat it up.

14. Renegades of Funk, Rage Against the Machine

It was a serious internal struggle between the original Bambaataa version of this song or Rage Against the Machine’s take, but you can’t go wrong either way. Keytar, some bossa nova, and those sweet outfits give Bambaataa an edge if you’re more funky than renegade, but I say go with RAtM if you like a Beastie Boys style sound. I like my funk with some edge, so Rage took the cake for me.

15. Take It To The Limit, The Eagles

If you want an album that will get you all in your feels, find a copy of Eagles Live from ’86. When you’re deep in a session, turn this song to an appropriate volume and raise your drinks to Randy Meisner’s only lead lyrical performance. Then take yourself to the limit with some good brews and better company.

Again, be sure to leave your suggestions in the comments for a chance to be featured on next week’s installment. As always, don’t drink and drive.

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