2008 SoS Champion: Shawn Kline

At some point or another, the Song of the Summer Blog was going to have to address the actual topic of the Song of the Summer. This was number one on the list of topics that this blog has been avoiding - and for no good reason what so ever. Number two is giving credit to the Posterisk*. And now that the non-authenticity of food has been covered, I think that temporarily frees up the list of blog avoidance. However, JJ might remind me quickly that I'm forgetting a few.

*I completely stole this tangential writing device. I like to read a good bit of the blog posts from Joe Posnanski - and I cannot recommend the Stan Musial post enough. He frequently uses an asterisk to allow him to completely leave the topic at hand - such as avoiding talking about the Song of the Summer Champion. He calls the device a Posterisk. If for some strange reason you find my blog Mr. Posnanski, I hope this inset adequately gives you the credit you deserve. And I would like to point out that Leicester City** is enjoying a good start to the season.

**To all the soccer snobs out there that say that relegation is the greatest thing -- screw you. You try cheering for a team that keeps on getting relegated. Sure it's cute the first time. But then you get relegated again and you start showing up to work dressed all in black. {p.s. If Leicester gains promotion this season, I reserve the right to brag effusively and disavow ever writing this paragraph.}

You are at the home of the Song of the Summer website and this blog is the home to the official ramblings that come from a contest as silly as the SoS. If you need further explanation of the contest - go to the SoS main home page. And we are here to talk about the recently concluded 2008 Song of the Summer Season.

As you may have surmised from the title of this blog post, your SoS champion is Shawn Kline. Shawn had seven (7) listens of Tom Petty's American Girl. No one caught the legacy bonus this season - and many people were desperately trying. The Official Brother of the SoS came close to missing the legacy in the worst fashion ever: by only needing the actual Song. I cannot think of worse fate. (He also need Solsbury Hill.) Like many of you, I too heard way way too many American Woman's. It was beyond belief. Guess Who and Lenny Kravitz - it didn't matter. That song was everywhere. I have nothing against it, but seriously, why does it and not American Girl need to be played so much. Would someone please answer this vital question?

The Song of the Summer's favorite correspondence once again came from loyal SoS participant Tom Berta. Here is an excerpt from his email:

"My final SoS tally was 3 official listens. I also had four "American Girl" partials and more "Refugee"s than a war-ravaged country. I heard most of the legacy songs but never got a whiff of "Summertime" or "Sultans of Swing" and only had a partial of "Pride and Joy", so the number on which my 2008 SoS hand grenade will be lobbethed is THREE."

Shawn: don't you wish right now that your winning tally was FIVE? I'm sure everyone that does not believe you cheated* hopes that you enjoy your championship. I know this is at least your second title. Do you have more? I would like to compile an official list for website publication. If you see Shawn give him a high-five or pounds or some form of congratulation. If you know/meet a DJ tell him enough with all the American Woman's. Great honk!

*translates to no one

I hope everyone enjoyed their 2008 SoS season & your version of summertime. Send a shout and let us know how you're doing. -mal