Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A Fourth of July barbecue just isn't complete without good music

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST:

A Fourth of July barbecue just isn't complete without good music.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

True.

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."

(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")

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.

(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.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.