Whether you went on a crazy vacation, worked every day, or just posted up on your couch for three months straight, summer is easily the best season of the year for most of us. It's 12 weeks of free time to unwind and forget about how you bombed three out of four finals, or how you will never taste a cheesesteak from the Rat ever again (*whimper*). That being said, below is a list of some of my favorite songs to commemorate the best season, and to hold you over until your next beach trip.
1. "Sparks" by Hilary Duff
THE QUEEN IS BACK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. Hilary Duff is back from a painfully long hiatus from music with her new album "Breathe In. Breathe Out," and it is nothing short of phenomenal. This definitely isn’t the Lizzie McGuire you know and love!
"You remember what I love so baby take me back."
2. "Ghost" by Halsey
This is such a melancholy song, but it is so, so, so good. Halsey is a singer-songwriter from right here in Jersey, and, despite her blue hair and energetic attitude, she actually writes some really deep, slow jams, like this one.
"Saying that I love him but I know I'm gonna leave him."
3. "Cecilia and the Satellite" by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
While I do love pop music, I also really do enjoy indie and alternative. I heard this song on the radio and was taken aback, because this isn’t typically a song you would hear on a pop station. Either way, I’m glad I found it because it’s a great, slow burning love song.
"Of all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you."
4. "Georgia" by Vance Joy
We’re slowing it down a little here. “Georgia” is a masterpiece, and I think it deserves much more recognition than “Riptide” does- not to knock it. It’s a great breakup song that isn’t written in anger or rage, but in regret and sorrow. That may sound off-putting, but just give it a listen and tell me that it doesn’t bring back a past relationship/friendship you miss.
"I never should've told you. I never should've let you see inside."
5. "No Control" by One Direction
OK, please just hear me out before you scroll past this -- yes, I know this is a One Direction song, but please understand that these guys are way past their “What Makes You Beautiful” phase. One Direction has been making really good music that you shouldn’t be ashamed to listen to!
"Waking up beside you I'm a loaded gun."
6. "Ava" by Famy
If there’s one thing that MTV does right, it’s picking great songs to use in their shows. This song was featured during the season premiere of "Teen Wolf," in a scene where the gang honored a fallen member by writing her initials on a bookshelf. (I’m not crying, I swear). The song is so poignant, and the ukulele in the background is both simple and elegant.
"Two oceans in between us."
7. "Black Magic" by Little Mix
This song feels like it should be played at the end of an 80’s makeover movie, and I’m totally fine with that. The message is empowering, with “black magic” being a metaphor for confidence, the beat is infectious, the video is fun, and the chorus is killer.
"Take a sip of my secret potion, I'll make you fall in love.
8. "Different Colors" by WALK THE MOON
I absolutely love this band, and I highly suggest you check out both albums they've put out if you get a chance. Believe it or not, this song actually serves as an LGBT anthem (Different Colors, get it?). Lyrics like “coming up slowly, sun over the hill," documenting the constant struggle for equality, while “different colors, we carry each other” states that even though we’re all different sexualities, we’re all human. Yeah, I just dropped a knowledge bomb on you.
"So come on lovers, come on haters, tonight we raise the fire."
9. "Bad Blood (ft. Kendrick Lamar)" by Taylor Swift
If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I’m a massive Swiftie. However, upon my first listen of 1989, Bad Blood was easily my least favorite song. So, you can imagine my disappointment when I heard that Bad Blood was chosen as the summer single. However, I think I actually blacked out when I first heard the remix while watching the music video, due to the ass-kicking female awesomeness with a Kendrick Lamar verse or two thrown in there. Bad Blood is the best friend breakup song and summer anthem that we need.
"Remember when you tried to write me off? Remember when you thought I'd take a loss?
10. "Run Away With Me" by Carly Rae Jepsen
I definitely saved the best for last because this song is actually epic. I can’t tell if it’s the saxophone melody, the music video, or the vulnerable and lovey-dovey lyrics, but this song does it for me. Chances are if you saw me driving down the street after July 17, I was blasting this song out of my car stereo. “Run Away With Me” is such a standout from Carly Rae Jepsen’s typical, bubblegum pop songs like “Call Me Maybe” and “I Really Like You” and I hope it gets some serious attention going forward. Hopefully, Carly Rae can come away with the title of Song of the Summer because she's been doing some awesome stuff for her third album.
"You make me feel like I could be driving you all night."
