The weather is starting to get warmer here in St. Louis, which means summer is going to be here before we know it. In preparation for the warm days and clear skies ahead, I have been spending my time crafting the ultimate playlist for this season. Whether youâre going to the beach, road-tripping with your friends or enjoying a late night drive with your partner, having the perfect background music playing is essential for your summer experience.Â
So, I thought I would share 35 of my favorite summer songs that are a guaranteed, instant serotonin boost. You can find all of them listed below, categorized into my own specific genres to meet all of your different vibes this season.Â
The ClassicsÂ
Weâre starting things off right with all of the classics. It doesnât matter how old these songs are, they will always be essential to the summer experience.Â
- âHere Comes The Sunâ â The BeatlesÂ
- âThe Middleâ â Jimmy Eat WorldÂ
- âMamma Miaâ â ABBA
- âCome On Eileenâ â Dexys Midnight Runners, Kevin Rowland
- âMr. Blue Skyâ â Electric Light OrchestraÂ
Middle School Dance
The late 2000s to early 2010s â a.k.a, the best era of music during our lifetime. Part of me wishes I was in college during this time just so I could hear these songs being played in the clubs, but Iâll settle for dancing to them at my eighth grade dance.Â
- âParty In The U.S.A.â â Miley CyrusÂ
- âClassicâ â MKTO
- âMr. Brightsideâ â The KillersÂ
- âGirlfriendâ â Avril LavigneÂ
- âEverybody Talksâ â Neon Trees
- âUmbrellaâ â Rihanna, JAY-Z
Windows Down, Nighttime Drive, Speeding Down the HighwayÂ
You know the vibes. This is your main character moment. Live out your own âPerks of Being a Wallflower” fantasy and blast these songs through your car speakers while you stand out the open sunroof, looking for a tunnel to speed through.Â
- âLittle Leagueâ â Conan Gray
- âSomeone To Youâ â BANNERS
- âMidnight Cityâ â M83Â
- âThe Kingâ â Sarah KinsleyÂ
- âTongue Tiedâ â GrouploveÂ
- âElectric Loveâ â BĂRNS
Boys Suck
Itâs not a âhot girl summerâ if we donât include songs bashing guys and all the stupid things they do. When boys fail, I know Megan, Doja and Olivia will have my back.Â
- âgood 4 uâ â Olivia RodrigoÂ
- â10 Things I Hate About Youâ â Leah Kate
- âHot Girlâ â Megan Thee StallionÂ
- âYou Rightâ â Doja Cat, The WeekndÂ
- âplot lineâ â emlynÂ
I Will Never Grow Tired of These
These songs are closer to my personal music taste and are in constant rotation throughout the whole year. It doesnât matter how many times I listen to them, I will never get tired of singing along and I canât imagine not playing them this summer.Â
- âKiss Her You Foolâ â Kids That Fly
- âWhat You Do To Meâ â Blanks
- âPreacher Manâ â THE DRIVER ERA
- âPuppy Dogâ â Dreamer Boy
- âGoldenâ â Harry Styles
- âHoneypieâ â JAWNY
And our final categoryâŠÂ
Taylor SwiftÂ
I think itâs safe to say that most, if not all, of us here at Her Campus SLU are certified Swifties, so I had to dedicate a section to the queen herself. Taylor has songs to fit every mood, but thereâs just something about summer anthems that she gets right every time.Â
- âPaper Ringsâ
- âLove Story (Taylorâs Version)â
- âOur SongâÂ
- âThe Story of Usâ
- âCruel SummerâÂ
- âThe Very First Night (Taylorâs Version) (From The Vault)â
- âStyleâ (bonus points if you Harry Styles dance during the chorus. Just trust me.)Â
There are so many more songs I couldâve added to this list, but hopefully youâve found at least one to add to your playlist this year. Now go forth, and perfect your playlist in time for the summer days ahead.