Ah, the sounds and sights of summer. Beach time. Grilling. Good friends and family. I was always looking for an excuse to bring my boombox somewhere when I was growing up, so that I could play my dubbed tape I worked weeks on. I had to wait for just that right moment when I knew the radio would be playing my song. It helped if I could break through the phone line to the station, to request it first.Times have changed, boomboxes have shrunk to iPhones, and radio requests, well, it’s not as thrilling with streaming music. But the music and the feelings never changed. To honor the symbol of summer - the mix tape - I present to you a list of timeless classics, and new finds, to match any mood you might be experiencing this summer. And it’s just for guys. (And, no, I’m not serenading you).These songs don’t fit the bill for you? I’ll post this on my blog, so head on over and add your favorites. (This was the best of my iTunes for summer, so it’s a limited stock). Or, check out Tom Moon’s 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die.Here goes:Pure Summer Fun:

• “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” - Lucinda Williams

• “Desert Island” - Magnetic Fields

• “Running on Empty” - Jackson Browne

• “I’d Run Away” - The Jayhawks

• “Honey” - Moby

• “Golden” - My Morning Jacket

• “Deadbeat Summer” - Neon Indian

• “I’m Getting Ready” - Patty Griffin

• “Statesboro Blues” - The Allman Brothers Band

• “My Girls” - Animal Collective

• “California Stars” - Billy Bragg and Wilco

Depressed:

• “Fade to Black” - Metallica

• “Comfortably Numb” - Pink Floyd

• “Sour Times” - Portishead

• “Manic Depression” - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

• “When The Stars Go Blue” - Ryan Adams

• “The Tracks of My Tears” - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

• “Skinny Love” - Bon Iver

Happy:

• “My Favorite Things” - John Coltrane

• “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” - The Eagles

• “Feeling Alright” - Joe Cocker

• “Perfect Day” - Lou Reed

• “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” - Beach Boys

• “Joy” - Bettye Lavette

Testosterone/Adrenaline Jolt

• “Tom Sawyer” - Rush

• “I Got Stripes” - Johnny Cash

• “Communication Breakdown” - Led Zeppelin

• “Negative Creep” - Nirvana

• “Jesus Built My Hotrod” - Ministry

• “Anarchy in the U.K.” - Sex Pistols

• “Born Under a Bad Sign” - Albert King

• “Lust for Life” - Iggy Pop

Problem Relationship Songs:

• “Human Nature” - Michael Jackson

• “Cure for Pain” - Morphine

• “I’ve Got My Mojo Working” - Muddy Waters

• “Respect” - Otis Redding

• “This is Hell” - Elvis Costello

• “Love Hurts” - Gram Parsons

• “Trouble” - Ray LaMontagne

• “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” Wilco

• “Evil” - Howlin’ Wolf

• “Jealous Guy” - John Lennon

• “Dyslexic Heart” - Paul Westerberg

Good Relationship Songs:

• “Love Keep Us Together” - Martin Sexton

• “Sweet Caroline” - Neil Diamond

• “Lady” - Fela Kuti

• “You Make Loving Fun” - Fleetwood Mac

• “I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl” - Nina Simone

• “Love and Happiness” - Al Green

• “I Want You” - Bob Dylan

At Night:

• “Harvest Moon” - Neil Young

• “Pink Moon” - Nick Drake

• “Nightswimming” - R.E.M.

• “House of Cards” - Radiohead

• “Wild Night” - Van Morrison

If you’re interested in learning more about the Men’s counseling , or if counseling might be right for you, please feel free to contact me directly or visit our Men’s counseling page for detail.