Just like a sausage smothered in tomato sauce is food for the belly – great music at a summer barbecue is food of the soul.

With this in mind, I asked my SunMedia colleagues to pick their absolute favourite tunes to barbeque to – so it's with great pleasure to present the SunLive Summer Barbecue Playlist, Volume 1.

Photo: file.

Pushing play on our summer playlist is our illustrious SunLive editor and favourite Pommy Dan Sheridan, who's offered up four songs – even though I specifically asked for only three – but I guess that's why he gets paid the big bickies.

The Lovin' Spoonful – Summer in the City Okay, so the title is a bit of a giveaway but the sound of car horns behind the track takes me back to scorching hot days in central London, where all you can think of is escaping to somewhere with a pool and a barbeque. On a side note and completely unrelated, it was used to great effect in the opening scenes of Die Hard: With a Vengeance.

Groove Armada – Superstylin' There comes a time during the course of every barbeque when things clearly need to be ‘cranked up a notch'. And as the heat takes over and the beers continue flow, this track from 2001 should do just that. Electronica with a heavy Reggae/dub influence – ideal for that all important ‘afternoon turns to evening' phase.

Mr Probz – Waves At the risk of chilling people out too much, Mr Probz' Waves sweeps you directly to any one of Spain's Balearic Islands and immediately instils picture of cloudless skies and smiling faces. Could be another strong contender for the late afternoon–early evening slot and definitely one to get the pool party vibe flowing.

Elbow – One Day Like This One of my favourite bands of all time, and yet another bunch to roll off Manchester's prolific musical conveyer belt. A sweeping, orchestral anthem that opens with the words: 'Drinking in the morning sun,” and closes with the epic line: 'Throw those curtains wide, one day like this a year would see me right.” If that doesn't get you in the mood, I fear nothing will.

Advertising consultant and resident volcanologist Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon erupted (puntastic!) with delight when asked for her favourite tunes – which is basically anything by Dunedin outfit Six60.

Six60 – Only to Be I love that you can put either of their albums on and listen to the whole thing, the perfect summer barbeque beats! Their sound is filled with chilled out New Zealand summer good-time vibes with a hint of upbeat reggae tones and the lyrics are subtly super inspiring. ‘Aint it good to be alive!”

Six60 – Purple This is a song that is music to the ears, the singers voice is melodic and the beat is filled with a bassy harmonic sound that is an perfect companion to any ultimate summer barbeque.

Resident bogan and SunLive journalist Letitia Atkinson can bust out a mean lamb chop on the barbie. She can also bust you in the chops for taking the micky – I'll let you know how I go after she reads this.

Motörhead –Killed By DeathCan never go wrong with a bit of Lemmy and the boys in the afternoon sun while sipping on a cold one. Killed by Death is just of the many Motorhead songs you can sit and relax to in the afternoon sun. Motorhead is just all about enjoying life and so are barbecues.

Europe –The Final CountdownNeeds no explanation really. The riffs get your toes tapping and after a few cold ones, everyone will be singing along.

ZZ Top – LegsI have no explanation for this, just a really good song.

Metallica –Until it sleepsAnd once again - I have no explanation for this, just a really good song.

The SunLive Summer BBQ Playlist, Volume One:

[WARNING SOME LANGUAGE MAY OFFEND]