July 4 and Texas Music, Quite a Combo

The July 4 holiday is upon us. Fire up the grill, which
can’t be much hotter than a Houston summer anyway. Find a pool, lake, river,
beach or even a sprinkler to help cool off. Turn on the Astros, who are
starting to put it all together. You’re all set.

You’re not all set.

A July 4 gathering is nothing without the music. And since we’re in Texas, why
not start the party with some of the best and most entertaining tunes our state
has to offer? These won’t get you through the entire day, but they will set the
tone for one hell of a four-day weekend.

FAT PAT, “Tops Drop”
This might very well be the unofficial track for the city of Houston, performed
by the late, great Fat Pat, who was tragically gunned down before the single
was even released. When you hear this song after an Astros win or during the
intros to UH basketball, it just sets a local tone. In short, if you start a
Houston summer party with anything but “Tops Drop,” you’re doing it wrong.

PAT GREEN, “Texas On My Mind”
Another famous Texan named Pat, Green is one of the godfathers of the Texas
country scene that exploded in the 90s and into the 2000s. He’s also a part-owner
of the chain of The Rustic honky-tonk bar and restaurant, which has two Houston locations (he’s playing the downtown venue in August).
“Texas On My Mind” certainly ranks among Green’s most popular tracks, and with
good reason – it’s basically a love letter to a lost love, and more importantly,
to the state from which they came.

UGK, “International Players Anthem (I Choose You)”
Bun B – one of half of the influential hip-hop duo UGK, alongside the late Pimp
C – is basically the unofficial mayor of Houston at this point. He’s a Rodeo
record-setter, a prominent business owner, philanthropist, all around badass. “International
Players Anthem” is the most popular – and certainly among the best – tracks UGK
ever released, made all the better by the presence of the best hip-hop duo in history
– Outkast. The song is sultry, swampy and hot. In short, it’s a Houston summer day,
set to music.

GEORGE STRAIT, “Here for a Good Time”
The Texas born Strait is not only a musical icon; he’s probably the most
revered artist in country music history, one who is still very much relevant today. There are probably about 60 Strait songs that would easily slide into a
July 4 playlist, but something about “Here for a Good Time” just says good
times, mostly because it’s right there in the title. George believes life is a
half-full, not a half-empty glass. Words to live by as you celebrate the
holiday weekend.

BOWLING FOR SOUP, “1985”
Bowling for Soup – from Denton, by way of Wichita Falls – is a little corny,
inasmuch as the band very much seems in on that very notion. The band’s most
popular track is an homage to a life gone by, a suburban woman who has it all
and regrets pretty much every last bit of it. She wants to turn back the clock
to a time when she was free to rage and push the limits. To young folks, this
track is a reminder to enjoy those years. To older folks? Well, just throw on
some Van Halen and live in the nostalgia-verse for a few minutes.

LOS LONELY BOYS, “Heaven”
The San Angelo trio of brothers – who are still very active – really only have
one hit to their name, but man, is it a good one?! “Heaven” has a great hook
and a smooth vibe and is the perfect background song to a laid-back day and
good conversations with friends over a holiday weekend.

LIL’ TROY, “Wanna Be a Baller”
A little assignment – put this Houston classic on a bit later in the July 4 festivities
this weekend, when a couple of drinks have been had, the sun is setting and
watch partygoers react. They will be unanimous in their support, no one will
complain and you will have achieved your mission of taking your party to the next
level.

DRAKE, “0 to 100/The Catch Up”
Yes, Drake is from Canada, but he’s pretty much adopted Houston as his second
home, so much so that he recently purchased a ranch about an hour outside of
town. Like George Strait above, you won’t lack for Drake content that suits a
party vibe, and any July 4 playlist should feature plenty of his stuff, but something
about “0 to 100/The Catch Up” just catches Drake at his absolute apex. It’s a
single for diehards and casuals alike, one sure to turn up any party from
Pearland to Katy, and everywhere in between.

BEYONCE, “Crazy in Love”
The song that put solo Beyonce on the map – one featuring future husband Jay-Z –
“Crazy in Love” was the song of the summer in 2003. More than two decades
later, it still goes. An absolute summer party staple from one of Houston’s
own.

WILLIE NELSON, “On the Road Again”
It’s Willie Nelson, one of the most revered, beloved and celebrated artists in
music history. A July 4 Texas party playlist with no Willie is really not a playlist
at all.