July is National Ice Cream Month, and we’ve got the skinny on the coolest songs about everybody’s favorite frozen treat. Check out this list of ice cream-themed songs that will have you ice “screaming” for more!
“Ice Cream Man” — Van Halen (1978)
Back in 1978, Van Halen’s debut album introduced us to David Lee Roth– and his creepy, truck driving alter ego. On the song “Ice Cream Man,” Diamond Dave not only gives us a rundown of his goodies (he peddles Dixie Cups, banana pops, and pushups, too), but he promises: “All my favors are guaranteed to satisfy.”
“Bleezer’s Ice Cream Store” — Natalie Merchant (2010)
The former 10,000 Maniacs front woman released her children’s poetry-themed solo album in 2010, taking this ice creamy song from a poem by Jack Prelutsky. But with flavors like “butter brickle pepper pickle, pomegranate pumpernickel, peach pimento pizza plum, peanut pumpkin bubblegum,” we’re thinking this ain’t no Ben & Jerry’s!
“Ice Cream for Crow” — Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band (1982)
Back in MTV’s early days, the video for this Captain Beefheart song was deemed too weird for Music Television, but the Museum of Modern Art welcomed the clip with open arms, entering it into the film department’s permanent film and video collection.
“Ice Cream Man” — Tom Waits (1973)
At “about two forty-five” is the time this ice cream man delivers, and he promises “a sidewalk sundae strawberry surprise… a cherry popsicle right on time…a big stick, mamma, that’ll blow your mind.” And to think all we wanted was vanilla!
“Ice Cream” — Sarah McLachlan (1994)
On her album “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy,” Lilith Fair Founder Sarah McLachlan sings of a love that is better than ice cream. But is it better than a hot fudge sundae?
“Popsicle Truck” — Jan and Dean (1966)
Back in 1966, wholesome rock and roll duo Jan and Dean sang about their favorite frozen treats, rattling off a list of flavors that included “orange, lemon, cherry and lime, fudge tutti fruitti and a grape that’s fine.” Unfortunately, this truck had to park for a while after singer Jan Berry was involved in a near-fatal auto accident that same year.
“Popsicle” — New Kids on the Block (1986)
And now for some bubblegum! Back in the mid-1980s a then-13-year old Joey McIntyre had little girls drooling over this sticky sweet ode to tween love, trading lines like “sweeter than candy , better than cake , and every time we kiss it feels oh so great” with NKOTB resident hunk Jordan Knight. Talk about ice dreamy!
“Ice Cream Freeze (Let’s Chill)” — Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana (2009)
Oh Miley, Hannah, whoever you are! We may just freeze on the dance floor, because we we have no idea how to do “the milkshake” or the “snow cone slide.” So we’ll take your advice and just chill!
“Dairy Queen” — Indigo Girls (2004)
This Indigo Girls song just mentions the soft serve chain, Dairy Queen, in passing (and it talks of someone who was “drunk and mean down at the Dairy Queen,” no less!), but DQ did make the song’s title– and at least no one’s suckin’ on chilidogs outside the Tastee Freeze!
“Banana Splits” — The Dickies (1979)
Oh no they di’int! Any nostalgic memories you may have about the 1960’s kiddie variety show “The Banana Splits” will be permanently obliterated after you hear this campy version of the show’s theme song by L.A. punk rockers The Dickies. Tra la la….talk about a brain freeze!
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