Mixtape: The Coolest Hot-Weather Music Ever

Yo, it's hot up here in Chicago. Africa hot (TM "Can I Get A" Witness). As such, I cannot be expected to churn out the mad-witty prose to which you've grown accustomed. Sorry. But I'm going to do my best to turn out a good list for you of songs that you need to, HAVE to hear when it's hot, hot, hot. I've made it SO easy for you; all you have to do is burn it. Done and done. Pull up your porch chair and take a wrench to that fire hydrant. These are the Sounds of Summer According to The Racket. Like to hear it? Here it go.

Side A: AC
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam – "Head to Toe"
Chaka Khan – "I Feel for You"
Charles & Eddie – "Would I Lie to You?"
Expose – "Come Go With Me"
The Rapture – "House of Jealous Lovers"
Blondie – "Heart of Glass"
The The – "Dogs of Lust"
Interpol – "Obstacle 1"
The Stratford Four – "Simple Things Are Taking Over"
Jody Watley – "Some Kind of Lover"
George Michael – "Freedom '90"
T. Rex – "Mambo Sun"
Nick Gilder – "Hot Child in the City"
Sly & the Family Stone – "Hot Fun in the Summertime"

Side B: Box Fans
Sophie B. Hawkins – "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover"
Shelby Lynne – "Dream Some"
Quincy Jones – "Summer in the City"
The Pharcyde – "Passing Me By"
Go to School: You'll note that "Passing Me By" samples "Summer in the City," which is itself a cover of the Lovin' Spoonfull's original version.

The Sade Trifecta – "Hang on to Your Love," "Sweetest Taboo," and "No Ordinary Love"
The Cars – "Drive"
Don Henley – "Boys of Summer"
Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan – "Stay"
Mary J. Blige – "Sweet Thing"
Go to School: This is a cover of the original Chaka Khan version, which can be found on the aforementioned Rufus album.

George Michael – "Father Figure"
Culture Club – "Time (Clock of the Heart)"