Yes, the weekend abounds - sooner than later, and much much longer than the usual. If you're planning to go an a road trip during this Easter break, here's a couple of songs that you might want to enjoy on your weekend drive. The following are my five hippy, trippy and dancey tunes which usually keep me awake on my drive home from the night shift, and the accompanying happy memories I have with them -

1. Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days |

Nothing says dance than an organ heavy, northern soul inspired song, performed by five young and pretty Swedish girls. Their song, Those Dancing Days, which is also the name of their group, is definitely a toe tapping, bob-your-head-to-the-music kind of song. It's also a great song to listen to when your car's getting whipped by high velocity winds while crossing the Arthur Laing bridge - and a nice background music, when watching seagulls overhead, fly in place against the wind, and going nowhere.

2. The Go! Team - Get It Together |

This playful song is probably one that some of you might be familiar with. If you're an avid gamer, it's the background music for the PlayStation game 'Little Big Planet' . Also, if you're into online quizzes (not the 'Which celebrity would you get married to?' type), it's used in the addicting Impossible Quiz game.

When I listen to The Go! Team Songs, I'm weirdly reminded of Sesame Street. It must be the funky 70's guitars. In any case, it makes me miss the times when Sesame Street used to play those psychedelic clips about letters and numbers - also, Teeny Little Super Guy. I wonder what happened to him?

Get It Together is only slightly '70s with a bit of hip hop 90's with the whole DJ scratch effect thing (which my son absolutely loves, and would ask to have it repeated over and over again). With grooves that will remind you of obscure childhood memories, or fun days of game playing, Get It Together is a song that can transport you to the happy zone. 


3. Junior Senior - Can I Get Get Get |

I was tempted to post Move Your Feet again, but I thought it would be better to share something else but equally fun. 'Can I Get Get Get' is yet another delightful song from Danish duo Junior Senior, and is actually best appreciated while viewing the music video - a collection of clips from Junior Senior fans lipsynching to the song. It's a really great song to sing along to, and like the many fans that sang along to it in the music video,  I've definitely sang along to it with speakers on full blast inside the car. A neat song to put on your road trip CD, it also has the potential of being the kind of song that can get stuck in your head for days.
 
4. Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It (The Russian Futurists remix) |

I know, I've posted more than my fair share of Shout Out Louds - but I can't help it if they have really nice songs. This one is a remix version of their most famous song 'Tonight I Have to Leave it' - one of my all time favorite songs. It brings out my happy side and it also sounds a bit like The Cure's 'In Between Days', the other hippy trippy happy song that I like.

I know a lot of people hate remixes and prefer the original  - though for me, I don't mind the remixes, I actually like them. It's like having to experience the same great song in a different light (as long as the remix is well done of course!). This remix was done by the Canadian act The Russian Futurists, who've made some excellent songs themselves.

5. The Gossip - Standing In The Way of Control (Soulwax Nite remix) |

Yes, I am a Skins fan. I think it's one of the most entertaining shows on TV right now - plus, they always feature great music. What's more appealing for me is their inclusion of JJ, the aspie teen - who despite his medically diagnosed social ineptness, is still the most 'normal' member in his circle of friends,  which include a stoner/emo skater boy, a binge drinking sociopath and a promiscuous wild child out for self-destruction.

If I listen to The Gossip's Standing In The Way of Control, I will only listen to the Soulwax Nite version. It's not because it's the version that got popular in Skins,for me, the orignal version just isn't the same. This version is more pumped up, faster and most importantly, it totally wakes me up when I start nodding off while driving after my 10 hour night shift.

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So there you have it, my five songs for the week - just a couple of tracks that you can consider adding to your mix CD repertoire if you're in the mood for upbeat tracks or planning to make your long drive home worthwhile.