ETHAN RODRIGUEZ’S PICKS
- H.S – Tom Cardy
- Los Hombres Maduros – Rokabanda
- Sunset Waltz – Yoko Shimomura
“H.S” is an almost unconventional motivational song for summer. The fourth song of Cardy’s 2024 album “The Dancefloor At The End Of The Universe,” this song describes jealousy and how it affects everyone. It even describes how celestial bodies, such as Pluto, can experience jealous because there will always be something bigger so why not “do what you were born to do,” making it perfect to listen to when you need a song to make you feel good.
“Los Hombres Maduros” is a catchy merengue song by the Dominican band Rokabanda. Released as a part of the 1993 “Reelegidos!!!” album, the song is about celebrating mature men and how different they are from immature men. Overall, the song serves as a fun tune to sing along to in the car.
“Sunset Waltz” is a soft orchestral song for the game “Final Fantasy XV.” It is the perfect song to listen to when you’re alone, laying in a field and embracing the warm sun. The slow-paced instruments make the song especially good for when you’re lying on the grass and staring up at the stars shining above.
OLIVIA ZAPF’S PICKS
- Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun
- Mystical Magical – Benson Boone
- Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
Above all else, summer is about driving during hot summer days or nights while blasting songs that feel like summer: the air, humidity and freedom from classes. “Walking on a Dream” does just that. This 2008 classic has been a staple of my summer playlist for as long as I can remember.
Released April 24, Benson Boone’s track, “Mystical Magical,” takes everything I like from his music: the beats, softer verses and strong drums and cuts what I don’t like: the screaming found in songs like “Beautiful Things.” This song comes from his album, “American Heart,” releasing June 20. This should definitely be added to any respectable summer driving playlist.
Summers are supposed to be restful and full of doing what you want, rather than what others want from you. Sid from “Ice Age” knew that. As he, Manny and Diego wander through the lands, “Send Me On My Way” can be heard in the background. Released in 1992, this song is perfect for summer days that need minimum motivation.
EMILY BEEBE’S PICKS
- Summer Nights – John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
- All Summer Long – Kid Rock
- Summer of ‘69 – Bryan Adams
From the Broadway musical “Grease,” “Summer Nights” could arguably be considered one of the most popular songs from the musical. John Travolta, who plays the character Danny, and Olivia Newton-John, who plays Sandy, sing about their summer romance in the song. This song is perfect to scream the words to while driving in your car on a summer night.
“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock is the perfect song to describe summer. The lyrics throughout this song describe the carefree nature of summer and how it’s a time to relax and enjoy yourself. The beat of the song sounds like something I would listen to during summer, especially at a cookout.
“Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams is another song that describes summer perfectly. This is a song that I would listen to on full blast while driving on country roads on warm summer days and nights. This song is about looking back on summertime and about having relationships during summer.
CALEB JOHNSON’S PICKS
- All-American Boy – Steve Grand
- Hot Gay Summer- Ryan Lill
- dandelion – Ariana Grande
“All-American Boy” is the perfect song for those seeking a gay-themed country bop. The song was the debut single of Steve Grand and was released in August 2013. The song evokes feelings of longing and tells the tale of a young gay man falling for his straight friend. Definitely a shot to the heart for any who’ve experienced such moments. It feels relatable and heartfelt and I was touched being able to see myself in a popular song.
Another sweet gay pop song that makes my heart melt. “Hot Gay Summer ” was first released in May 2022 by Ryan Lill. I really enjoyed the smooth beats and summer angst the song gives off. The soft tones really helped me enjoy the flow of the music. Representation is important and I enjoyed listening to a song of gay romantic love.
“dandelion” is a sweet soft dream. Nothing says summer like longing for love and making wishes on dandelions. As I always loved blowing dandelions and making wishes as a kid, I found this song to be delightful with smooth pop beats.
JONTHAN SHELBY’S PICKS
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
- Searching – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
“Walking on Sunshine” is the perfect song to pep you right up during a warm summer day. This version by Katrina & The Waves is peppier than the original and can easily add that extra bounce to your step and pump you up for the day ahead. The drums and trumpets are absolutely electric and the vocals can easily have you moving and grooving along without knowing it.
This song slows things down and is perfect when you’re sitting under a warm, summer sky. Its calming pace accompanied with the hypnotic xylophone and trumpets can quickly soothe your soul and send you into a trance-like state leaving you wondering and searching for whatever troubled you in the first place.
Enter my favorite song of all time. I’ve been listening to “Lovely Day” since as far back as I can remember and it still holds the title of the perfect song for me. This tune has such a chill vibe and embodies the aspect of living through the perfect day with no finals to worry about or troubles to cloud your bright, sunny day. While the lyrics may not change much, the soft percussion and smooth vocals are only enhanced by the serene vibe of the instruments.
