10 Songs for Your Summer Playlist
Wherever you play music — in the car, at the beach, around the house — these 10 numbers will get your motor running, your toes tapping and your lips moving. Warm up those pipes because you’re probably going to want to do a little singing along.
“Meant to Be” — Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
Whether you’re kicking back at home or on the road to vacation land, this one’s got a hook that won’t let you go. So just go with it: “If it’s meant to be, it’ll be, it’ll be, baby, just let it be.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDo0H8Fm7d0
“One Number Away” — Luke Combs
That’s as in “one number away from callin’ you.” Okay, it will break your heart, like a good country song should, but it’ll keep you coming back to it, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct9BFr9XBaI
“Long As I Live” — Toni Braxton
Everybody may be “talking about you and her together,” but this one from Toni Braxton will make you feel good, even as she’s singing about never getting over him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjW7WzozgI0
“Delicate” — Taylor Swift
In a throwback reminiscent of some of her older tunes, Taylor Swift’s latest carries you along, from a dive bar on the East Side to a mansion on the West Side. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCXGJQYZ9JA
“Wolves” — Selena Gomez
This one will have you cranking up the volume to keep up with Selena Gomez “running though the jungle.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH4E_t3m3xM
“Never Be the Same” — Camila Cabello
“All I need, yeah, you’re all I need.” Sexy, upbeat … just what the doctor ordered for those times when you want the music to match the hot summer temps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph54wQG8ynk
“After the Storm” — Kali Uchis, featuring Tyler, The Creator and Bootsy Collins
Chill with this funky retro tune, and “if you need a hero, just look in the mirror.” The cool jazz stylings might make you feel like your playlist has turned into a time machine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f5zD7ZSNpQ
“The Champion” — Carrie Underwood with Ludacris
This powerful song was used for the Super Bowl and the 2018 Winter Olympics, and it will keep you going all summer long. Whether you want to or not, you may have to join in when Carrie Underwood belts out “They knock me down, I get up again, I am the champion!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgknAaKNaMM
“These Days” — Rudimental with Jess Glynne, Macklemore and Dan Caplen
Ridiculously catchy lyrics about breaking up (“Too young to feel this old, watching us both turn cold”) plus a rueful kindness (“I hope someday we’ll sit down together and laugh with each other”) make this tune a surprising sing-along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjTj-_55WZ8
“Say Something” — Justin Timberlake with Chris Stapleton
Before you finalize your playlist, check out both the studio and live versions of this duet. The music video was filmed live in one take, and even without the images, the energy of the live version just might get you “caught up in the middle of it.”
Studio Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ldeckET_wQ
One-Take Live Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MPbR6Cbwi4
A Final Note …
Why, yes — everything old is new again. Whether you prefer rock, country or hip-hop, and whatever your decade of choice, whichever brand-new track or oldie but goodie floats your boat, give it its rightful place on your playlist, too.
