The first time I ever fell in love was during the Summer of 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, confined to my home, at the mercy of my own psyche. While these were certainly not the most romantic circumstances, I was living out the poem written by Shinda Kahlon and recited by AP Dhillon in this track.
Summer is known as a time of great weather, vibes, and love. AP articulates the high of this season so effectively with his lyrics, and the colorful beat behind them takes me back to this specific Summer. As ugly as it was, with thousands of deaths, 105+ degree weather, and smoke from the local wildfires rendering one unable to breathe if they dared to venture outside, I felt all the beautiful ebbs and flows that are integrated in this track.
I couldn’t go about my day without thinking about her. Sometimes I would stay up later than her on purpose, so that I could text her an affectionate paragraph, that way she’d wake up and start her day off with something positive. Even if I got the slightest bit of a buzz from a drink, I would call her and confess my “undying” love, much to her amusement. I couldn’t see her very often, but I would never take it for granted when I did, and whenever the clouds got too thick, my mind would run for the comfort of those memories.
As corny as I was, this love got me through what was otherwise a hellish Summer. When AP released Summer High two years later, I was a huge fan of the disco-dancy vibe. Now that I know the lyrics, I find myself daydreaming of a time that otherwise felt like a nightmare.
Standout Words/Phrases Learned:
Jeen: Life
Badal: Clouds
Mahol: Sky/environment/atmosphere/vibes
Rabab: Harp
Chatiyan: Mat
Khabran: News
Khayalan: Dreams
Fikran: Worries
Summer High
AP Dhillon (Produced by PVLI & Sach, Lyrics by Shinda Kahlon)
Ik sade milan diya khabran, pyaar ch bhijan diya sadra
The news of us meeting, the desire for us to be in love
Eh hunn mainu jeen na dindiya (X2)
It doesn’t let me live now
Oh badal karde mahol kharab, tussi na labhde kite janab, tik ke baith kite nahi hunda, dil vich vajje mere rabab
The clouds are ruining the sky, I can’t find you anywhere my love, I can’t sit still, a harp is playing in my heart
Akhan vich jaggiyan battiyan, chugiyan main ishq diya chatiyan
Candles are lighting in my eyes, I’ve chosen the mat of love
Eh hunn mainu neen na dindiya (X2)
It doesn’t let me sleep now
Ik sade milan diya khabran, pyaar ch bhijan diya sadra
The news of us meeting, the desire for us to be in love
Eh hunn mainu jeen na dindiya (X2)
It doesn’t let me live now
Cha chad janda tera naam sun, khayalan nu main gall naal lala ni
I get so excited when I hear your name, I embrace you in my dreams
Hon je dila te naam likhde, main naam tera dil te likhala ni
If one could write a name on a heart, I’d write your name on my heart
Hawavan tainu lagan na tattiyan, fikran main vaaja maar sadiyan
Hard times will never come your way, I’ve called all the worries to myself
Eh daaru hun peen na dindiya (X2)
It doesn’t let me drink now
Ik sade milan diya khabran, pyaar ch bhijan diya sadra
The news of us meeting, the desire for us to be in love
Eh hunn mainu jeen na dindiya (X2)
It doesn’t let me live now