As summertime approaches, the beaming sun and gleaming blue sky beckon us to abandon the problems of our tortuous semester, in light of the three month break period that awaits. As some of us plan out vacations, organize summer programs, and plan out our 13-hour “naps,” it's important to find the right vibe for the right time.
Music is the ultimate backdrop to life, adding vibrancy, depth, and meaning to the many moments that we share.
I’m sure most of us know the classic 80s movies scene, blaring Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” as young white women wail their arms in the air in the backseat of a shiny beamer. The swirl of sounds creates a palpable image and sets the tone for the mood that we want to be in. Pumped up songs like Ms. Lauper’s deliver the electric shock that some of us need to feel happiness, while mellow pop sounds like Lana del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” give us the perfect opportunity to cry and watch the rain slide down the windowpane.
Here is a list of the perfect songs for your summer moods.
1. Blasting in the car with friends
“Petals” by TOPS: This scintillating pop beat will take you away on any bright day’s drive, make you wanna fly into the sun, and live on the beach forever. It’s a good medium between pure ecstasy and light romance, but you don’t need a boo to jam out to this perfectly relatable track. It’s a great pop track, yet it’s infused with elements unique to TOPS as a band. Sit back, relax, and “let the petals fall away.”
2. Take a (metaphorical) chill pill
“Lover of Mine” by Beach House: A calm voice and a perfectly resonating beat make this song the perfect concoction for chill. The lead’s beautiful voice provides a light hum and character to the soft background sounds of the song. This is the perfect song to zone out and escape to, become “awake and unreal, off to nowhere.”
3. Just rock out
“Give it Away” by Red Hot Chili Peppers: This bass-led classic from the legendary rock band, RHCP, delivers a delectable combination of excellent guitar riffs, an addictive beat, and a head pounding chorus. Anthony Keidis’ unique combination of rap and singing makes the song a distinct RHCP sound. Really, this is a song to go crazy too, so live it up! Lose all sense of inhibition, break out your shell, and “give it away now.”
4. Groove in the night
Voyage to Atlantis: The Isley Brothers are incomparable in their music craft, so this R&B masterpiece is no exception. It’s the perfect song for a nighttime chill session or an evening drive. Driven by the tone of romance, yet decked out in Ron Isley’s silken voice and Ernie Isley’s sizzling guitar intro, this song sets the perfect tone for a good night. Let your loved one know that despite whatever you do in the day, just know “I’ll always come back to you.”
