Here Comes The Sun - Ten tunes for when the sun hits

It's Ireland so at the mere hint of a spell of sunny weather, we have got to plan to make the most of it. So with blue skies forecast for the coming days, we present a playlist of some alternative summer tunes to get you in the holiday mood.

Words: Paul Page

God Only Knows - The Beach Boys

The ultimate Summer band - could have chosen literally any song from their vast back catalogue. Even though this one leaves out any overt reference to surfing, sun kissed Californian beaches, etc., it's a perfect summer tune. It's also one of the most flawless songs ever written. Glorious.

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

The Fab Four knew a thing or two about writing classic pop songs and this was them at their summery best.

Ain't That Enough - Teenage Fanclub

Hugely underrated song from one of the best bands of the 90s. Chiming guitars and harmonies to make the heart soar.

Heart of Gold - Neil Young

From the classic album Harvest, one for long summer drives; wind the windows down and turn the volume UP.

Big Sur - The Thrills

They captured the hearts and minds of Irish music fans for a brief but golden spell in 1993 -debut album So Much For the City was a huge hit and this song was steeped in the sunny sounds of West Coast Americana.

Who Loves the Sun - Velvet Underground

When they weren't exploring the seedy underbelly of New York life, the Velvets proved perfectly adept at producing well crafted pop gems like this one.

Holiday - Vampire Weekend

One of the very best guitar pop bands of the modern era -this jaunty little number screams get your suitcase and go.

Right Here - The Go-Betweens

Sometimes great pop music just smells of the summer. It's there in the melody, that capacity to lift the spirits with a simple chord change or soaring harmony. Eighties Australian band The Go Betweens had unlocked the secret to making timeless pop music - such a shame they never got the widespread recognition they deserved.

Velocity Girl - Primal Scream

Before Bobbie and the boys transformed into dance pioneers/rock gods, they were a slightly fey, jangly guitar band, heavily influenced by the Byrds. This was one and a half minutes of pure, breezy pop perfection.