“Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell | Grace Parks

I think my song of the summer will be “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell. Being the last summer before I graduate from college, I want this summer to feel lively and free. It is hard to pick a tone for the summer because you never know what will happen, but I think the upbeat tempo and vibrant spirit of “Southern Nights” is a great starting point to kick off the summer.

“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band | Toby Hammes

One of my songs of summer has to be “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band. It fits perfectly with warm summer days and good company. It brings me back to family lake trips and slow evenings where time doesn’t matter. Other Zac Brown Band tracks like “Toes” and “Knee Deep” pair with it perfectly as staples of a summertime playlist.  

“Lose My Mind” by Don Toliver featuring Doja Cat | Libby Zuck

This new song has already been on repeat, so I am sure it’ll carry over to the warm summer days. With the windows rolled down and the speakers blasting, this upbeat song always gets me in the right mood. Plus, who doesn’t love a Doja Cat feature?

“Vanilla” by Frawley | Haley Smith

I recently discovered Frawley through her song “Vanilla.” I have been listening to this song non-stop since it came out in April, and I will continue listening into the summer. This song is a testament to not being around boring people. Summer is all about having fun and enjoying the freedom of not being in class. 

“Forget It” by Blood Orange | Meredith McCalmon

“Forget It” by Blood Orange has a distinct summery feel, complete with mellow guitar riffs and smooth synth that embodies a warm breeze through an open sunroof. Dev Hynes’ airy vocals float over the groovy instrumentals, perfectly encapsulating a laid-back summer haze. This song is the first one in my summer playlist.

“I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan | Lilly Crist

I keep coming back to this song. The bass, the strong vocals and the overall groove are so funky. I can’t wait to drive around with my windows down while blasting this song. 

“Heartache On The Dancefloor” by Jon Pardi | Greta Klein

This is a summer must-have on my summer playlist. This song has the vibe, beat and is perfect for those late-night drives. It’s just a great sing-along song when you need it, especially for the summer time.

“Butterflies” by Fiji Blue | Kyra Case

As with all of the songs I pull from my single playlist to recommend to others, I really enjoy the lighthearted lyrics and the soft beat. This song is like a cool breeze on a sunny day — a soft love song that literally gives you butterflies.

“Green Light” by Lorde | Emma Lazarczyk

My must-play summer song is “Green Light” by Lorde. This song is the perfect embodiment of the feeling of the freedom of summer. The upbeat tempo is perfect for screaming in the car with your friends. Just listen to it — you’ll understand.