Summer might be winding down, but for many college students, the fun is just beginning. With back-to-school season just around the corner, the coveted parts of college life are making their return, including the party scene and popular college party songs.
From themed Borgs to making Sylly week a holiday, the college party life is its own world with unique occasions, settings, and most of all, the music. Though college parties might be different across college campuses, there is a specific collection of songs that no matter the setting, from a frat basement to a dingy club, you can find a DJ playing over the speakers. Hearing the same songs on repeat every week is a part of the college experience — I don’t make the rules.
Though college party anthems might be overplayed, nothing tops the vibes of songs like “Memories” by David Guetta or “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame, which bring everyone together to sing and dance in unison. Even if you’re an introvert or would rather stay home on a Friday night (me too), college party songs don’t just stop at the going-out scene. College party anthems emulate good vibes and memories, which you don’t have to leave the four walls of your dorm to experience. Whether you’re a freshman preparing for your first night out or a senior craving your favorite college anthem, here are 13 of the best college party songs straight from fellow college students.
- “Doses & Mimosas” by Cherub
-
“‘Doses & Mimosas’ is a classic and during my freshman year at Florida State University, I heard it all the time. It has stuck with me since then and whenever I hear it, it takes me back to those memories.” — Jessi, 21, Florida State University
- “Just Wanna Rock” by Lil Uzi Vert
-
“There’s nothing quite like when ‘Just Wanna Rock’ comes on in the club or at a party and everyone simultaneously starts doing the dance. Immaculate vibes all around.” — Cody*, 21, University of Central Florida
- “Last Last” by Burna Boy
-
“Everybody that likes Afrobeats knows this song, so when this comes on everybody’s singing along and the vibe is just good.” — Mahi, 20, University of Florida
- “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame
-
“I swear [this] song could raise me from the dead. Its beat and lyrics hype any room up and was the song that had me running to the dance floor. It’s also very nostalgic for me as I listened to it all the time in high school.” — Brooklyn, 23, University of Iowa
- “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” or “CUFF IT” by Beyoncé
-
“Literally anything from the Renaissance album, but especially ‘AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM’ and ‘CUFF IT.’ Me and my friends are obsessed with this album and these songs are just gonna do it every time.” — Eileen, 21, Fairfield University
- “Princess Diana” by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj
-
“Almost all of Ice Spice’s tracks are favorites of mine. She has a certain vibe that makes you want to get up and vibe as well. I enjoy the song in particular, especially when I’m out with friends, because her and Nicki Minaj’s voices combine so nicely!” — Olivia*, 20, San Jose State University
- “Money Trees” by Kendrick Lamar
-
“This song always makes me so happy and I love singing and dancing to it! Kendrick is such an amazing artist but this song is definitely my favorite at school to play with friends at parties. If you want a crowd-pleaser, play this!” — Katriel, 21, Ohio State University
- “S&M” by Rihanna
-
“Anything by Rihanna always gets my friends and me going! If RiRi is playing, it sets the vibes for the whole night and you know it’ll be so fun.” — Avery, 22, University of Central Florida
- “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane
-
“I know it’s a little weird, but my friends and I would play this song during almost every pregame because we all knew that our time together in college was limited. Every time the song played we just felt all of the love and friendship from one another.” — Katelyn, 22, Chapman University
- “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
-
“This is my favorite college song because it gives me a sense of nostalgia from my first semester of college in summer 2018. I also resonate with this song because it gave me a sense of confidence and [taught me how] to not be afraid of putting myself out there.” — Eliana, 23, University of Central Florida
- “Closer” by The Chainsmokers
-
“I went to school in Boulder so they played this at every university event/game, and hearing everyone yell the lyrics together was a super fun experience.” — Jordyn, 22, University of Colorado Boulder
- “Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull
-
“It’s a song that everyone knows, and it will be at every event without fail. The energy is unmatched when everyone knows a song at a party.” — Rebeca, 21, Florida State University
- “Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus
-
“The perfect party song has three requirements for me. You must be able to jump up and down with your friends, be able to kiss a cute boy if the opportunity presents itself (sorry, Mom), and bonus points if it can be played as a hype song as you’re getting ready or in the car. ‘Midnight Sky’ does exactly that, plus it’s a bit of a throwback, and for my group of friends, it has truly been the song we turn up to max volume this summer!” — Bryanna, 21, Baldwin Wallace University
*Names have been changed.