Summer is here, and now it’s time to live it up with a constant stream of vacations, road trips, parties, and chill pool days that will leave you not knowing what day of the week it is. From new hits to classics, here are ten songs that need to make your playlist to make this summer your best yet!
1. “I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin
Everything about this song is fun! “I Like It Like That” by Pete Rodriguez and any remix involving it was a staple at family parties, so it has a nice touch of nostalgia. Plus, anything J Balvin touches has a great beat just like “Mi Gente” and this is no exception.
2. “Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato
Killer no-effs-given lyrics. A powerful voice like Demi’s. A music video that was literally a giant raging party like the plenty you’ll be attending this summer. This is the perfect formula for a summer hit and a chance to flip the finger at all your wrong-doers, who you’ll be leaving behind in the cold winter.
3. “A Good Night” by John Legend ft. Bloodpop
I’m pretty sure this song was dropped now not for summer, but for the up and coming wedding season. But nonetheless, it’s a fun song to serenade your summer boo with and dance it up to anywhere from weddings to driving with your windows down and the volume up.
4. Basically anything by the Beach Boys
A little dated, but they’re not called The Beach Boys for no reason! Nearly every one of their songs has a vacation-y, tropical, feel to it. And if you don’t think of “Fifty First Dates” when listening to “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” and get a little emotional, you might not have a soul.
5. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
Admit it, you always wanted one of those cupcake bikinis jamming out to this back in middle school. Katy Perry’s entire “Teenage Dream” era was full of head-bopping, sugary sweet tunes and this one truly takes the cake (yes, pun totally intended).
6. “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
Another great middle school jam for current college kids and late nineties babies like myself. I catch myself whistling this tune to this day. Everyone should live up their summers the way Jagger lives up his life as the rock icon he is. And it’s really hard to find a non-catchy M5 song, or someone who doesn’t like the band at all.
7. “The Middle” by Zedd, Grey feat. Maren Morris
My cousin has his money on this being the party song of the summer, and I don’t blame him. It’s ridiculously catchy and the lyrics make me feel so optimistic too! Plus if you haven’t watched its “Diary of a Song” I highly suggest you do because it adds a whole new layer to the song, setting it apart from other top hits on the radio.
8. “Someday” by Sugar Ray
Such a great chill-out song and even better throwback. Anytime I listen to it I imagine driving to the beach or a boardwalk with the top down or windows open with my head out and my hair a mess. Is that weird? I don’t really care if it is though. It takes you to chill beach days with just you, good people, and the sand and salty sea.
9. “Wild Thoughts” by DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller
Yes, DJ Khaled’s whole career involves him taking others’ pieces (the guitar here is literally “Maria Maria” by Santana), or getting a popular features artist on his songs to boost their chart ratings and taking all of the credit, but hey, this is still a great song. And I know it was a huge hit last summer but I wouldn’t be surprised if it came back this time around. Just Rihanna’s first verse is enough to get me pumped and confident.
10. The entirety of Awesome Mixes Vol. 1 and 2 from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films
Star Lord’s mom (RIP) had some incredible taste in music, and she’s the reason why these movies have easily the best soundtracks of any movies from the MCU. These are the songs our parents jammed out to during their wild summer nights, and the torch ought to be passed down with these. From the Jackson 5 to David freakin’ Hasselhoff, this whole collection is a crowd pleaser with at least one song for everyone!
11. "No Tears Left to Cry" by Ariana Grande
This song is all about wiping the tears off of your face and the dust off your clothes and keeping it moving foward. This song is a perfect pairing with "Sorry Not Sorry" for total girl power and badassery.
When you make your summer jams playlist, be sure to add even one of these songs to it for guaranteed summer vibes and good times. Enjoy!!
