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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCU chapter.

It’s already too hot in Texas. It’s been hitting 80 degrees the past few days, and I’m already tired of it. But I get it. I understand the appeal of the fresh air and the Vitamin D, but sitting outside is a death sentence for someone as pale as me. The only thing that can keep me outside longer than 5 minutes is a cookout or a boppin’ playlist. And since TCU has a severe lack of outdoor cooking spaces, propane tanks and chefs I’d trust with a steak, good music is the only thing that can get me to face my mortal enemy: this gorgeous, sunny weather.

I’ve been working on my beachin playlist since the spring of 2020. My family took a trip to San Diego (about a week before covid-19 demolished everything), and the city inspired me to make a playlist that smelled like sunscreen and tasted like ice-cold lemonade. Since then, I’ve been adding to this list of tunes, which clocks out at a whopping 11 hours and 33 minutes. No, you don’t need to listen to the whole thing to appreciate it. I certainly won’t write about every song on it. But it’s just too fun not to share. 

Check out the playlist here!

Inspiration behind the madness:

First, the San Diego trip. I listened to Colony House’s “Julia” about a dozen times on the plane ride. I think it’s one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. It’s thoughtful, complex, and lyrically unique. After that song changed my life (no embellishment there), I added more songs that matched its oceanic sound waves.

Then came Outer Banks, the show that rocked our world. As high schoolers, many of us were itching for something to talk about during lockdowns, and OBX was the drama we needed. The soundtrack from OBX1 is not-so-sneakily hidden in this playlist. We owe our summer to you, alt-J.

Then comes another era. My dad took me on a road trip to tour colleges in Texas, and he simply had to offer his input to the playlist. A little more rock-centered, his songs on the playlist are oldies but goodies. They’re also incredibly out-of-nowhere. Kram and Faux Ferocious exemplify the garage rock scene, and will easily impress someone who “only listens to underground music.”

Lastly, my days at TCU have heavily influenced my music taste. My friends all listen to pop. The school only plays pop. This place is a pop-princess breeding ground, and I just can’t escape it. So, some pop has weaseled its way into my everyday listening. I’m coming to terms with it. But I’m not losing my edge- Sneaky Peaches and Rome Hero Foxes are anything but glossy. 

Songs that wear SPF and sunglasses while sipping sweet tea:

Artists who use photosynthesis to turn sunlight into musical sweetness:

I add to this playlist constantly. If you’ve got a beachin’ band you want to add, reach out!

Ella McClure Mercer is a journalism major at the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at TCU, where she reports for TCU 360. She wrote her first song on the piano when she was 10 and hasn't stopped playing since. Originally from Nashville, Ella spends her free time drinking coffee, eating at fun restaurants, and going to concerts. Instagram: @old.eller Twitter: @oldeller_