The Quintessential Summer Song
The “summer song” is a music staple. Certain songs like “Hard Times” by Paramore, “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato, and “The Middle” by Zedd keep radio stations in a chokehold year after year, and every year there seems to be a new hit that you just can’t escape until everyone goes back to school. (“Despacito”, anyone?) But what makes the quintessential summer song? They aren’t just anthemic pop songs, I know my summer playlist is a complex amalgamation of pop, indie, rock, and hip-hop hits, so what is it about a song that makes you want to add it to your beach day playlist?
What Makes a Summer Song?
Remember that episode of Regular Show where Mordecai and Rigby find that cassette tape with their old favorite summer song and it’s so addictive that the tape literally starts following them around? A “perfect” summer hit honestly feels just like that. For me, summer songs fall into two categories. First, there’s the kind of song that’s reminiscent of a day at the county fair with your friends. You’re blasting it on the car ride there, humming it in line for the food truck, and coming up with elaborate dance routines to it when you get home. It’s the kind of song you hear the radio blasting while your favorite ride is whipping you around. Then, there’s the kind of song that’s worthy of the poolside aux cord. Think lounging on your beach towels, sunglasses on, a cooler full of Cokes and ice cream sandwiches, sand covering everything. There’s something so summer about the lazy way the warm sun makes you feel.
Songs that fall in the first category tend to be upbeat/mid-tempo, typical pop and rock anthems. Production usually includes strong drum beats and warm synths. As far as the melody goes, it’s definitely gotta have a chorus that gets stuck in your head, typically with shimmery harmonies and lots of “oohs” and “ahhs”. Lyrically, the song consists mostly of lines about love, summer itself, hanging out with friends, and other topics of that ilk. Some of my favorite examples are “Vacation” by The Go-Go’s, “Love on Top” by Beyoncé, and “I Don’t Want It At All” by Kim Petras.
Songs in the second category are still mid-tempo but leaning a little on the vibier side, and are still poppy but tend to be more of the indie and r&b persuasion. Strong drum beats are present, but the focus is usually more on bass, whether it be digitally produced or from a bass guitar. Again, lots of warm synths here. Melodically the songs are very relaxed, sometimes with breathy vocals and a slightly repetitive structure. Lyrics in these songs have a little more leeway content-wise, and have been known to be slightly more sour than the former category, but in equal measure include lyrics all about having a good time with your friends or your summer boo. Some great examples of this brand of summer song are “American Teen” by Khalid, “Loving Is Easy” by Rex Orange County, and “Telepatía” by Kali Uchis.
And then, there’s the elusive summer song that can fall under both umbrellas. Something that can hype you and the girls up to go out and wind your crew down after a big day in equal measure. This year I think the best example of that is Doja Cat and Sza’s epic collab “Kiss Me More”. Radio stations are eating it up, and I don’t know a single person that doesn’t love to sing along to it. Some other strong hits from this year are Lorde’s “Solar Power”, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Thot Shit”, HAIM and Taylor Swift’s “Gasoline”, and WILLOW’s “Transparent Soul”.
