With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
A Fourth of July barbecue just isn't complete without good music
Listen
• 2:30
ROB SCHMITZ, HOST:
A Fourth of July barbecue just isn't complete without good music.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
True.
Support for LAist comes from
SCHMITZ: If you're looking for some last-minute inspiration for your playlist, NPR music critic Stephen Thompson has you covered.
INSKEEP: And his first suggestion will put the Barbie in your barbecue.
STEPHEN THOMPSON, BYLINE: In honor of the forthcoming Greta Gerwig-directed "Barbie" movie...
SCHMITZ: You can play music from the new "Barbie" movie soundtrack, like the song "Dance The Night" by Dua Lipa.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "DANCE THE NIGHT")
DUA LIPA: (Singing) Watch me dance, dance the night away. My heart could be burning, but you won't see it on my face. Watch me...
INSKEEP: Or you can go with Aqua's classic version of "Barbie Girl."
Support for LAist comes from
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BARBIE GIRL")
AQUA: (Singing) I'm a Barbie girl in the Barbie world. Life in plastic. It's fantastic.
SCHMITZ: Stephen says he has been to an actual Barbie-cue (ph).
THOMPSON: Everybody dressed as Barbie or Ken. There were pink drinks with glitter.
INSKEEP: And if that's not your jam - and how could it not be? But if it's not, don't worry, because Stephen has other suggestions, like a Bey-becue (ph).
THOMPSON: Celebrate American excellence by playing the music of the great American original, Beyonce.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "PARTY")
Support for LAist comes from
BEYONCE: (Singing) 'Cause we like to party. Hey. Hey. Hey.
THOMPSON: You can take the complete collected works of Beyonce. Play them in any order you want because this is America.
SCHMITZ: Stephen, a longtime Washington, D.C., resident, has yet another idea for your cookout.
THOMPSON: When I think of the sounds of a summer in D.C., I think about go-go music - you know, funk with certain kind of rhythms attached to it that feels swampy, but in a good way.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CHUCK BABY FEAT. KK")
CHUCK BROWN: (Rapping) I think I'm sprung now. I seen a dude uptown who makes me want to settle down and have his son.
THOMPSON: Pull out your Rare Essence. Pull out your Chuck Brown records.
Support for LAist comes from
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CHUCK BABY FEAT. KK")
BROWN: (Singing) I was driving in my car one day. I saw a sexy lady...
INSKEEP: OK, so Rob, what would you put on your July Fourth playlist?
SCHMITZ: I think I'm with Stephen. I think I'd go - I'm from Minnesota, and I would love to honor one of the best Minnesota musicians, Prince.
INSKEEP: Wow. There you go. OK. That would work. That would work.
SCHMITZ: Yeah.
INSKEEP: I'm thinking a little more along the lines of Springsteen - you know, kind of dark and patriotic. But I know that my kids would be picking "Hamilton" because they know the lyrics.
SCHMITZ: Of course.
INSKEEP: New York City, 1776.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "AARON BURR, SIR")
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA: (As Alexander Hamilton) Pardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir?
LESLIE ODOM JR: (As Aaron Burr) That depends. Who's asking?
MIRANDA: (As Alexander Hamilton) Oh, well, sure, sir. I'm Alexander Hamilton. I'm at your service, sir. I have been looking for you.
ODOM: (As Aaron Burr) I'm getting nervous.
MIRANDA: (As Alexander Hamilton) Sir, I heard your name at Princeton. I was seeking an accelerated course... Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist