And just like that – just as quickly as it came – summer is coming to an end.
Personally, as someone whose skin turns to a blistering red anytime it is exposed to the sun for even a second, I’m not going to miss summer that much.
However, even I get a little bummed out as I oat in the pool once more this season, or apply a thick layer of SPF 100 for the final time until the distant future. After all, summer is the perfect time to relax and do what you want (which is hard, now that we’re all working adults. But still, let’s pretend).
Even though we technically still have a month until fall, we’re basically wrapping up summer now that the semester is starting. Enjoy your Welcome Weekend and Labor Day, because the temperatures only go down from here.
Here are five songs, old and new, that always put me in a bright, summery mood.
Let’s Go On The Run – Chance the Rapper
First of all, let me preface this by saying I will fight every single one of you who try to tell me Chance’s new album is bad.
(Okay, I won’t really fight you, but like, I won’t be very nice about it.)
This wasn’t the first song I heard from “The Big Day,” but it was the first one I fell in love with. It’s light and upbeat, and the message about wanting to run away makes me feel so carefree. This song makes me feel so good and reminiscent of a true “summer vacation” and not having a care in the world. I want to tattoo this song on my soul so it’s always there. Plus, I was itching for another Chance the Rapper-Knox Fortune collab, so that’s a perk.
Favorite lyric: “Just meet me by the water. I’ll be there with the sand.”
Levels – Nick Jonas
This has been one of my go-to hype songs since high school. I love me some Nick Jonas, and he definitely doesn’t disappoint with “Levels.” No matter how sour my mood, the second this song comes on, I’m ready to hit the dance floor. Jonas has such incredible vocal range and has been delivering bop after bop since he got his start with the Jonas Brothers. This song is just fun and energetic, which makes me feel just the same.
Favorite lyric: “Bottling up that lightning, supernatural.”
Beverly Hills – Weezer
BEVERLY HIIIIIIIILLS!
THAT’S. WHERE I WANT. TO BEEEEE!
I don’t know what I can say about this song that hasn’t already been said.
It’s iconic. An absolute classic. Need I say more?
Favorite lyric: “It’s something that you’re born into, and I just don’t belong.”
Rewind – Rascal Flatts
Say what you want about country music; hell, even I’m not crazy about it. However, this song feels more like summer than most songs out there. It makes me nostalgic of summer love in high school and summer flings in college. I find it super relatable, because most of the nights “I’m wishing I could rewind” happened in the summer heat.
Favorite lyric: “Untouch your skin. Unkiss your lip and kiss them again.”
Wasted – Tiesto
Okay, so maybe this song doesn’t have the most upbeat, positive mes- sage, but the beat is both of those things, so it works. I get it, Tiesto. I like a lot of people better when they’re wasted, too.
Favorite lyric: “The only time we really talk is when our clothes are coming off.”