As summer comes to an end, the days become shorter, the nights become longer, and the ever-increasing sense of existential dread comes to a head. The end of summer BBQs and parties all feel a little somber, with everyone knowing that they’ll be going back to school in a couple of weeks. The thing is, is that summer doesn’t have to end. We can all have happiness again. Here are five songs to get you back in the summer groove.
1. "In The Summertime," by Mungo Jerry
This song by this little known group has been used in many commercials, but this song fits better in an end of summer playlist. With feel-good lyrics about enjoying the summer days with your loved ones, and a call to “sing along with us” really invites the listener to groove and dance the summer away.
2. "Fool in the Rain," by Led Zeppelin
Utilizing piano riffs and Latin beats, Led Zeppelin really showed us that with this song that they can do almost anything. Now, you’d probably think that “Dyer Maker” would be on here, but I feel that this song does a better job at getting people up and grooving. And also, we could use a little bit of rain this summer, mainly because the northeast hasn’t had a lot of it!
3. "Atlantic City," by The Band
This song by not as just a band, but The Band, is a definite sing-along song. Even if you have never heard the song before, just one listen of the chorus will have you singing along by its end. This song deserves a spot on here because it reminds the listener that everything has an end, but it doesn’t have to end just yet, “so put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty, and meet me tonight in Atlantic City.”
4. "No Woman, No Cry," by Bob Marley and the Wailers
No summer playlist would be complete without a song by Bob Marley in the mix. This song about cherishing what you have is the perfect song to end a summer on. Forget about going back to school, forget about facing the winter, just sit around a campfire with a guitar and some friends and have everybody sing along with you. And just remember, “everything’s gonna be alright.”
5. "Wonderful Tonight," by Eric Clapton
The last song on the playlist is the slowest and the sappiest. This song is just about admiring the beauty of a woman, and it does it in the most eloquent and beautiful way. From the opening riff, listeners can definitely recognize and jam out to this song. Most people will remember past loves and start to talk about them, and it is really fun to listen and talk about the past. This song fits right at the end of most summer playlists, so grab a significant other, put on this song, and dance the night away.
These five songs feel right at home on your end of summer playlist. So, once again, don’t waste away the last days of summer moping about the end of summer, but live each day like it’s the end of summer. Be a fool in the rain and go to Atlantic City.
