Even though the first "official" day of summer isn’t until late June, Memorial Day weekend is the first real taste of summer. There are so many things that we have come to associate with summer: days at the pool, fireworks, the smell of barbecue drifting through neighborhoods, late nights, and adventures. When it comes to summer adventures there’s two types of people, the ones who go on extravagant trips to tropical islands, and the ones who drive to where ever is close and cheap. Personally, I’ve always been pro-road trip and for more reasons than my crippling fear of airplanes. Something about an open road on a sunny day just really gets to me. Plus, hello unlimited snack stops. Sorry airlines, but pretzel bags that were portioned for mice just don’t make the cut on my vacation diet. My absolute favorite part of road trips is the amount of time that can be shamelessly filled with jam sessions – dramatic lip syncing, awful dancing, the whole package. However, we all know that nothing is worse than radio stations that play the same 10 songs on a loop all day, every day. Not to mention how much of a struggle it is to find a good radio station that actually stays in range for more than 10 minutes. But you know what never gets old? Throwback playlists. So whether you’re packed in the family van for a week, or you and your best friend just needed to get away for a weekend, here’s a throwback playlist that’s sure to make your road trip a blast.
1. "Pocket Full Of Sunshine" - Natasha Bedingfield
Start your trip off bright and optimistic.
2. "Burnin' Up" - Jonas Brothers
If you say they were never your guilty pleasure, I say you're lying.
3. "Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects
Because guitar solos galore!
4. "Chicken Fried" - Zac Brown Band
Even for the people that hate country music, nothing says summer quite like this song.
5. "Fergalicious" - Fergie
If you need an explanation on this one, you've really been missing out.
6. "Sk8er Boi" - Avril Lavigne
I'm sure the angry, 13 year old version of you is proud, even if driving to the lake for a weekend is the closest you ever got to running away.
7. "You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift
Any T-Swift song really, because there's absolutely no expectations for good dance moves.
8. "All Star" - Smash Mouth
"So much to do, so much to see..."
9. "Shut Up and Drive" - Rihanna
For when you get lost but don't really want to turn down the music to focus, Rihanna's here to keep you in line.
10. "Bye Bye Bye" - *NSYNC
The classic *NSYNC vs Backstreet Boys rivalry really teaches you a lot about who you're in the car with, just make sure you forgive each others' differences before the next rest stop so no one gets left behind.
11. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" - Mulan
Because no playlist is complete without a little Disney. Plus, it's pretty much fact that even just this picture will make you want to sing along.
12. "California Gurls" - Katy Perry
Jam just as hard as left shark.
13. "Viva la Vida" - Cold Play
Even though I still don't know half the words to this song, its so relaxing and inspiring.
14. "Because You Live" - Jesse McCartney
Just sit back and pretend that he wrote this song specifically for you, and that you're the reason for all the stars in his sky.
15. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - The Proclaimers
Because what's a road trip without that one song that makes you want to scream and is stuck in your head for weeks afterwards?
