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My Gen X Playlist: Rain In the Summertime – The Alarm

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One of the great things about summer is watermelon season. I love watermelon. Growing up, we would occasionally grow watermelon in our backyard. It’s one of my favorite fruits.

Choosing a watermelon is a mystery. I watch people pick it up, study the color, hold it up to their ear as they pat it, listening for the right sound, whatever that is. I don’t have a regular ritual or method. I usually give it a good friendly pat and look for a warm sunny yellow patch on the outer skin. It’s really a crap shoot when you think about it. I’ve been pretty lucky so far. I’ve only had one bad watermelon over the past few years. While potentially disappointing on that initial cut, we all know that’s how the game is played. You win some, you lose some.

I researched the health benefits and was surprised how healthy eating the rind is.

…the white and green pieces of watermelon are actually rich in nutrients like magnesium and potassium and have a number of benefits.

The white part of the rind is a good source of fiber…which helps aid in digestion. Along with promoting regularity, diets high in fiber can enhance gut health and help manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

“The rind is also home to a naturally occurring amino acid called L-citrulline…Citrulline has been shown to help reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension, as well as boost athletic performance.” 

– mindbodygreen

This past watermelon, I experimented with the rind. I found a simple recipe and pickled it (I only used the white part, not the green). That wasn’t too bad. I also started cutting the white rind separately to eat as well. Not much taste, but the health benefits seem to be worth it. Maybe I’ll try them in a smoothie next. The best part is the clean up is so much easier and considerably less messy. The idea of consuming the rind just might stick.

With a shortage of watermelon songs, I opted for a summertime song instead. The Alarm released Rain in the Summertime in 1987. I was a big fan of The Alarm in high school. I’m not sure how much radio play they received over the years. After their successful debut album and opening for U2 on tour, I don’t think they gained much traction. I still stuck with them, though. It wouldn’t surprise me if you are not familiar with their music. Here’s another one for you to sample.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Under the anvil of the sun
Sweat, like a train
I come, I come,
My body to dust
Scorched by the might of the sun

Burning light, burning white heat
Like wildfire
I sweat a fever
My body screams
Disintegrates in the heat

Our love is the faith that keeps on burning

I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face
I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face

Burnt at the stake, on a bed of fire
My body rises
Taking me higher
My loves desire
Is pure ascension fire

And love is the faith that keeps on burning

I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face
I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face

And then I run 'til the breath tears my throat
'Til the pain hits my side
As if I run fast enough
I can leave all the pain and the sadness behind

I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face
I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face
(I love to feel the rain on my face)
(in the summertime)

20 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Rain In the Summertime – The Alarm”

  3. This is so funny! Picking a good watermelon has been the bane of my existence this summer! It IS so hit or miss…I saved a photo from Pinterest with the do’s and don’ts of picking a good one and it’s been somewhat accurate but not entirely. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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  5. The Alarm is a very hazy recollection from the 80s. I vaguely remember seeing their albums in people’s record collections. (Remember perusing other people’s album collections as way to get to know them?) At first I didn’t recognize the song, but then the chorus was totally familiar. Those haircuts!

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  6. interesting sound. they have a bit of a u2 sound to them but mostly remind me of an australian band called 1927. we went to the joshua tree tour so i checked to see if they opened for u2 when we were there but it was some other bad i have no memory of.

    interesting story about the watermelon rind too!

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  7. Watermelon and walking in the rain in the summertime…good summer vibes! 👌🏼
    I didn’t know that the watermelon rind is healthy. Worth a try. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. My Dad always picked the best watermelons! I try to follow his advice when I choose mine. You’re right…you win some and lose some. I never knew there were so many health benefits of eating the rind. I’ll have to try that.

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