Summer music playlist
USD Vista staff picks their favorite summer tunes
JESSICA MILLS / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA
As the stress of finals begins to wane, the weather grows warmer and the days longer, many students will spend more and more time outside, tuned into a variety of speakers, headphones and other listening devices. To help kick off the season, The USD Vista staff curated a list of the hottest summer songs.
“Living Together” by the Bee Gees – Jessica Mills/Arts & Culture Editor
“I’m a huge Bee Gees girl. This song specifically is so upbeat and puts me in a great mood anytime I listen to it. It definitely makes me want to dance in a dark room full of friends with flashing lights all around us. This is absolutely a great summer anthem.”
“Every Summertime” by NIKI – Mei Flory/Managing Editor
“This was my top Spotify song last year. It’s perfect for driving and has such a nostalgic/happy vibe. I think the lyrics are sweet, and the artist who sings it actually went to school with a friend of mine! The song was also featured in ‘Shang-Chi,’ and it just adds to the positive Asian American representation.”
“Vienna” by Billy Joel or “Dance Wiv Me” by Dizzee Rascal – Stella Schneider/Asst. A&C Editor
“Billy song – my favorite song, ‘Dance Wiv Me’ because it’s fun!”
“Sunsetz” by Cigarettes After Sex – Colin Mullaney/Copy Editor
“It’s extremely mellow, dreamy, and reminds me of last summer, living and working in Downtown Annapolis. The tone is super nostalgic and contemplative, and I’d listen to it while walking to/from work, on humid summer days when the air felt electric — like a thunderstorm might break out any minute. I didn’t realize one day I’d be listening to it again, nostalgic for that time in my life.”
“Lovers in the Summer” by Hate Drugs – Jackie Marquez/Opinion Editor
“This has been my summer song since middle school. The band, Hate Drugs, is from my hometown, and I got to see them live one summer with a bunch of my friends. The song itself is about finding love on a weekend beach trip in Southern California. It opens with the sound of waves crashing and a synth overlay, and then transitions into a beach-y guitar and bass riff. The vocals are light and fun, and the lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of escaping your day to day life for a summer fling. As the lyrics say, ‘Summer love can happen in a day, but only few can make the summer stay.’ Overall, the song has the same vibe as walking to a cute little dinner date after spending the whole day at the beach with someone you love.”
“Sedona” by Houndmouth – Karisa Kampbell/Editor-in-Chief
“It’s a fun, kind of funky song that kind of reminds me of something that might be on the Outer Banks soundtrack.”
“Hold on, We’re Going Home” by Drake – Amara Brooks/Sports Editor
“Picture this… you’re driving home or really anywhere on a warm summer night. The sun just went down and the daytime heat is just beginning to cool down but it’s not cold enough yet so you roll down the windows and then you hear this killer beat, duh duh duh then Drake sings ‘I got my eyes on you.’ Then everyone’s like ‘omg I love this song’ and next thing you know heads are bobbing. Yeah that feeling right there is irreplaceable.”
“Santeria” by Sublime or “Right Down the Line” by Gerry Rafferty – Katie Foreman/Asst. Feature Editor
“Both of these songs just radiate such happy and chill energy. I personally love listening to them when the sun is out.”
“We are Tonight” by Billy Currington – Lauren Ceballos/Feature Editor
“This song is very happy and exciting. It feels like summer, singing about the freedom, fun and happiness that comes along with it.”
“Satellite” by Harry Styles – Zoe Marie Zapanta/Asst. Opinion Editor
“I have been a fan of Harry Styles since the fifth grade. He released this song this time last year and it followed me everywhere last summer so I have a lot of fond memories attached to it, especially because I got to hear it live. He also just dropped the music video for it so I’m super excited for its resurgence for this summer.”
“Freaks” by Surf Curse – Satvika Nitya/Asst. A&C Editor
“It’s a song that my brother and I always scream in the car to. Blasting it on the speaker and jamming out to it is my favorite thing to do with him.When I left for college my brother made a video edit of me to this song so it holds a very special place in my heart.”
“Growing Old” by Post Sex Nachos — Olivia Synek/Associate Editor
“This song feels very fitting as I am graduating. Sometimes I get tired of hearing songs I can’t relate to, and now I can sing along to this one this summer and feel understood. Although the words may be a bit depressing, the meaning is easily hidden behind the fun music.”
Although the perfect summer anthem may sound different from ear to ear, most listeners can say that the summer season has a specific sound. From driving to the beach jams, heading to work sing-alongs or just relaxing melodies, there’s a song here for everyone.