When your wardrobe is consisting of shorts and flip-flops and you’re heading to campus for your last day of summer classes, it’s safe to say that it feels as if summer has officially arrived. In elementary school, summer was never quite like the movie “The Sandlot,” and in high school it was never like the film “Dazed and Confused,” but everyone has those fond memories of summer days in the pool and nights driving around with their friends.
While summer may not be the exciting time it once was, with responsibilities and jobs and such, hopefully you can still kick back and relax and make a few more of those memories.
An essential part of those memories is music. Every summer has a soundtrack. We’re looking back at the best music of summers past and what’ll be on the soundtrack for the months to come.
“School’s Out” by Alice Cooper: Forty years later, this song is just as relevant as ever. Whether you’re in grade school, high school or college, you’re always pumped when school is out for summer. And when you graduate, you’ll definitely be pumped when school is out forever.
“Summer Nights” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John: Everyone loves “Grease,” whether they admit it or not. This is possibly the most recognizable of all of the songs in the movie. There are even theaters like the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor that holds “Grease” sing-alongs.
“Summer Girls” by LFO: Oh, so ’90s. Think back to those days of frosted tips and flannels. Back in 1999, LFO had the number one song of the summer, and while the references might be a bit outdated, if someone says “New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits…” chances are someone will finish the line.
“California Gurls” by Katy Perry: This song is only two years old and it can already be considered a summer classic. Its simple lyrics and catchy beats had people singing along, and had girls envying Perry’s obnoxious cupcake bra.
“Summer Love” by Justin Timberlake: One of the multiple hits from his last album, “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” has fans wishing that he would just release another album already. Even though that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon, this is a song that’s totally acceptable to have on repeat in the coming months.
“The Mixed Tape” by Jack’s Mannequin: This is the only song on the list that doesn’t have a direct reference to summer, but it has undeniable summer energy. Most of Jack’s Mannequin’s songs have the perfect vibe for driving with the top down and singing along at the top of your lungs.
What’s on this summer’s playlist? With the top 40 radio stations having a cycle of well, 40 songs, the songs on that cycle right now will always make you think of summertime when you hear them.
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen: You might love it, you might hate it, but there’s no denying that “Call Me Maybe” can be the number one song of the summer. It’s light and fun—all you need for a summer hit.
“We Are Young” by fun: Even though this song wasn’t released in the summer, the concept of “We Are Young” is perfect for the summer months. Live it up; you’re only young once.
“Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber: This is the song that turned haters into Beliebers. Summer 2012 will be known as the year that the Biebs grew up…at least a little bit.
The amount of summer songs are endless, so what are some of your favorites? What’s on your road trip playlist? What plays when you’re lounging in the pool?
