I have a hard time listening to anything but music when I’m driving, which means I never listen to NPR or books on CD when I’m in the car. One of my friends is always trying to loan me books on CD — “You’ll like it,” she tells me — but as soon as I relent and agree to give it a try I remember that I don’t have a CD player in the car. (We’ve already had this conversation twice; I’m hoping we can have it a couple more times this summer.)

But there is one talk show that I occasionally listen to. Billed as the world’s only rock and roll talk show, it’s called Sound Opinions, and it’s hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, two Chicago music critics. It airs on 97.7 at 7 p.m. Monday and 5 p.m. Saturday.

Earlier this week I tuned into Sound Opinions just as Jim and Greg were discussing their favorite summer songs. As always, it was an interesting conversation, highlighted by Jim’s take on the classic Beach Boys song “All Summer Long.” Jim acknowledged that this was a cliched choice, but suggested that no one had ever interpreted the song quite like him. He read the lyrics, noting how “lewd” and “lascivious” they are, more like something out of a debauched hip-hop song than a 1960s pop song. Here they are:

Sittin’ in my car outside your house
(Sittin’ in my car outside your house)
‘Member when you spilled coke all over your blouse

T-shirts, cut-offs and a pair of thongs
(T-shirts, cut-offs and a pair of thongs)
We’ve been having fun all summer long

Until now, I’d never really paid much attention to what Brian Wilson was saying, and the cheerful references to spilling coke and a pair of thongs came as a complete surprise. Is “All Summer Long” the original “Thong Song?” I wondered. Or is Wilson simply talking about Coca-Cola and sandals? Personally, I like Jim’s interpretation. It makes the whole song far more interesting.

I listened to Sound Opinions some more, but none of the other picks were nearly as good, and I got sort of annoyed when Jim revealed that he hates the beach, since I love the beach. (Although I did enjoy hearing “Sand in My Joints” by Wire.) My mind drifted, and I began thinking about which songs belong in my ultimate summer mix. Coming up with a list was surprisingly difficult, mainly because if I really like a song I listen to it during all four seasons. But I gave it my best shot. In no particular order:

1. Hell, by the Squirrel Nut Zippers
2. Red, Red Wine, by UB40
3. Jungle Boogie, by Kool and the Gang
(This was our theme music during one session of summer camp, and I can’t hear it without thinking about how I used to run into the dining hall every night in a costume I created out of an old poncho, a bandana and a pair of sunglasses, laugh my evil laugh, and match wits with whoever happened to be playing the role of Captain Spunk, our superhero. But that’s a story for another day.)
4. Heart of Glass, by Blondie
5. Summer Babe, by Pavement
6. Happy Together, by Turtles
(Conversation with my parents while visiting Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Dad: “This is where I saw The Turtles.”
Me: “What turtles? Where?”
Mom: “He means the band.”)
7. Rebirth of the Cool, by the Afghan Whigs
(This song is probably a little too dark and brooding to merit inclusion on a summer song list, but if there’s a song out there more drenched in sweat, alcohol and sex, I don’t what it is. Plus, it’s got a killer beat.)
8. God Only Knows, by the Beach Boys
(OK, it’s one of their more melancholy tunes, but it’s my favorite Beach Boys song, you can’t create a summer song mix without including the Beach Boys, and it edges “Good Vibrations” by a nose.)
9. Cold Beverage, by G. Love and Special Sauce
10. Band of Gold, by Freda Payne
(The Afghan Whigs cover of this song is pretty good, too.)

Oh no, I forgot to include Prince! Of course, he’s great anytime. Runner-up: “When Doves Cry.”

Favorite summer songs? Send them to me!