NWP's "Summer Vibes" Playlist

School is out in many parts of the United States, which, for many, constitutes summer, despite the fact that summer officially starts on June 21, 2023. So, these are the best tunes that encapsulate the emotions and feelings of summer.

1. "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals

You may have heard about this song by English indie rock group from its record-breaking Billboard charts run, to its amount of air time on social media services like TikTok. But regardless how much you've heard about it, it is worth learning about the song's record. The song broke the record for the longest time to reach the top of the Billboard chart. Their record overtook the previous record by... you guessed it, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You". The song climbed gradually to the top over 59 weeks. The most shocking part is, the song was released in 2020, and it didn't become the second most streamed song until 2022. The sleeper hit's success shocked even the band's singer. The song is about "Heat Waves", and how the road appears to wiggle during those heat waves in June.

2. "Island in the Sun" by Weezer

"Island in the Sun" wasn't originally set to be on Weezer's "The Green Album" (2001), but the producer on that album, Rick Ocasek (formerly of rock band The Cars), is rumored to have fought for the song's inclusion on the album. The song didn't appear on any of the Billboard charts, but it remains popular, with over 600 million streams on Spotify, ranking it as their most listened to Spotify song. This song talks about our heads being in the clouds during vacation, or, rather, our head being on an "Island in the Sun" during vacation.

3. "Into Yesterday" by Sugar Ray

"Into Yesterday" was featured in the 2007 animated movie "Surf's Up", which featured some notable actors such as Jeff Bridges and Shia LaBeouf, among others. The movie's soundtrack featured this song by Sugar Ray, a rock group that has been performing for three decades. You may recognize the voices and style of Sugar Ray from their four top-ten Billboard hits (featuring "Someday", "Every Morning", "When It's Over", and "Falls Apart"). They've sold over 10 million records, too. This song highlights the surf-rock feel of summer, and gives you a blast "Into Yesterday".

4. "Happy" by Kyle Hume

Kyle Hume is a singer based out of Louisville, Kentucky. He has 292 thousand followers on Instagram. In a post on Instagram, he claims that "Happy" may be his favorite song he's ever released. He wrote the song with Jesse Fink and Rajiv Dhall, both of which are songwriters. This song is just a happy song! And everyone deserves to be happy in summer, right?!

5. "Summertime Blues" by The Beach Boys

It is rumored that the writers of "Summertime Blues", Eddie Cochran (who originally performed the song), and Jerry Capehart, only needed 45 minutes to write this song. Cochran wrote the music, and Capehart wrote the lyrics. There were many artists who covered the song, including the Beach Boys, who's version was released in 1962 on their first album, "Surfin' Safari". Although this song wasn't one of the Beach Boy's many Billboard Top 100 hits, it was featured on their compilation album "Greatest Surfing Songs!" from 1997. This song talks about the need to go out with friends on the weekends, and how it's easy to catch the "Summertime Blues".

6. "Heaven" by Fitz and The Tantrums

"Summertime Blues" aside, Fitz and The Tantrums have been producing music for 15 years, since 2008. They were founded in Los Angeles by group leader Michael Fitzpatrick. The album was released in 2022, following the group's 2019 album "All the Feels". The song reminds the listener that, even though the world can be heavy, it's okay to let loose once in a while.

7. "Lucky" by Crash Adams

The music video for this song definentally deserves the spotlight here, shown by the fact that it's the largest video (size-wise) in this entire article. This song, and it's music video, are sure to make you smile. The singers, Crash Adams, are from Canada, and say that the song is about "...how our lives changed the moment we realized happiness is a choice...". This song is sure to make you smile this summer. Our writer also asked us to add that he is really glad that Spotify posted the lyrics for this song, so he can sing it loud and proud now.

8. "Pollywog In A Bog" by Barenaked Ladies

This isn't your typical Barenaked Ladies song, but neither was this entire album. This song was the second single off of their album "Snack Time", which appears to be geared more towards kids than adults. The music video won the 2009 Juno Award for the Children's Album and Video of the Year. So, when you're visiting the zoo this summer, just remember "RIBBIT, RIBBIT, a tadpole exhibit".

9. "2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)" by Lizzo

This song, from Lizzo's 2022 album "Special", was first performed on the Today Show, and later performed at MTV's Video Music Awards. The song's music video is the continuation of one of Lizzo's previous music videos from 2017, "Truth Hurts". And while this song doesn't really capture any ideas of summer, it's a good song, and, frankly, our writer, Nathaniel Wiley, picked it because it's one of his favorites.

10. "SAD (Clap Your Hands)" by Young Rising Sons

Vanyaland's Michael O'Connor praises this song, saying "...it might have just enough self-awareness and sarcasm to help you get through the week." This song, by Young Rising Sons, does just that. The group was started in Brooklyn, and has been playing music since 2010. They say on Spotify that their band's career has been highs and lows. The group's bio says "our band is about embracing the journey, valuing the perspective we get from the lows, while soaking in the highs. The growing pains, the ebb & flow, and the unpredictability of life is what defines us as humans, and we’ve been able to experience all of it together as best friends." This song reminds you that it's okay to be sad, but if you are... clap your hands about it!

11. "sun keeps on shining" by almost monday

Based in California, indie pop group almost monday (yes, lowercased, that's not a mistake) released "sun keeps on shining" in 2022. In 2020, the band had over 30 million total streams, which was "unprecedented", according to the band's bio. They emailed producer Mark Needham, who has produced The Killers and Fleetwood Mac, who hooked them up with their current producer. A formerly garage-band is now a popular California pop group. This song lets you know that no matter how hard life is, "the sun keeps on shining", and, in the case of summer, it certainly does.

12. "Let It Rain" by The Dream Syndicate

This song, covered by LA band The Dream Syndicate, was originally written by Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Bramlett. The song was released in 1972 as a single by Eric Clapton, and was covered by The Dream Syndicate in 1986, and was released on their album "Out of the Grey". I think I speak for every westerner in the U.S. when I say "let it rain, let it rain".

13. "Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)" by Andy Grammer

This song was released during the run of singer Andy Grammer on TV show "Dancing with the Stars", in 2015. Grammer is a well-known contemporary country and pop artist who's songs have reached as high as 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song reached 62 on the charts in early 2016, and remained on the charts for ten weeks. This song is cheerful and reminds you how good it feels to be alive during summertime.

14. "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams

This song, about the "Summer of '69", talks about Bryan Adam's life around that time, including his high school band, which is what the part that says "me and some guys from school, had a band and we tried real hard". The lyric following that one is about the band's breakup. Adams looks back on 1969 as, overall, a great year, saying "1969 was a great year... especially the music...". If it's not clear to you why this song is on this playlist than reread the title of the song (insert winky face here).

15. "The Dumb Song" by AJR

AJR is a trio of brothers from New York City who have been coming out with albums since 2013. This song was released ten years after their first album, in 2023. The backup singers in this song are AJR's friends, and one of them is tone deaf. It took the group a year and a half to make this song and the music video tells the story of that year. The song is fun, silly, and gives off fun vibes, as well as capturing the innocence of kids in summer.

16. "Soulville" by Dinah Washington

This song was released in 1963 by Dinah Washington. It was released on American record label Roulette, which was defunct in 1989. The song was written by Henry Glover, Dinah Washington, Morris Levy, and Titus Turner, and was later covered by Aretha Franklin and other artists over the span of the past 60 years since its initial release. This song brings you into the world of soul on a hot summer day.

17. "The Days" by Avicii

Swedish DJ Avicii originally intended "The Days" to be a collaboration between himself and Brandon Flowers of contemporary rock band The Killers. The song, however, was not released with the vocals of Flowers, and instead of English singer-songwriter Robbie William's vocals. A recording of the song with Flower's vocals is available on Soundcloud. The song makes you remember good memories and smile because "these are the days we won't forget".

18. "I Go Swimming (Live)" by Peter Gabriel

"I Go Swimming (Live)" was released on Peter Gabriel's 1983 album "Plays Live" (Gabriel is formerly of the rock band Genesis), and the album was recorded at four concerts across the midwestern United States. The song, featuring an intro of Gabriel speaking to the crowd, encapsulates the need of every American in the west to "go swimming, swimming in the water".

19. "Sweet Arizona" by East Love

New York's indie pop group East Love has been playing together since they were in high school. They have over 138,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and they perform around New York at various venues. This song, while not a chart-topper, is the band's second-most listened to song on Spotify. The music video for "Sweet Arizona" featured YouTuber Lucie Fink. The song makes you think of the summer sun and the sweet smell of Arizona's monsoon season.

20. "Sober Up (feat. Rivers Cuomo)" by AJR, Rivers Cuomo

A second AJR song?! Yep, that's right. We really like AJR. "Sober Up", which features Rivers Cuomo of rock band Weezer, was released in 2017 on AJR's album, "The Click". The song spent two weeks at number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. The song was inspired by the AJR brother's college experience. In an interview with Billboard, AJR's Jack Met said "We did our first couple of semesters at Columbia, we were experiencing the whole college vibe, going to parties and doing that sort of thing. And then there was a time where we just started getting depressed a little bit. We started getting sad because we felt a little bit too grown up..." This song perfectly encapsulates what many students experience during the summer when they're moving on to high school and beyond.

Stream this playlist on Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube Music! (While you're at it, follow us on all those, too!)

Pandora

Spotify

YouTube Music

Thanks for listening! Have a great summer! 🎶

---

Works Cited “ABOUT.” Almost Monday, almostmonday.com/about. Accessed 8 June 2023. “About Sugar Ray.” Sugar Ray Official, www.sugarray.com/bio. Accessed 8 June 2023. “AJR - the Dumb Song (Official Video).” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoD0CxhVoPE. “Andy Grammer.” Billboard, www.billboard.com/artist/andy-grammer/. Accessed 8 June 2023. Atkinson, Katie. “Pop Shop Podcast: AJR Talk Surprise Hit “Sober Up,” Why Rivers Cuomo Was a “Perfect Fit” & Seeing New Fans on Tour.” Billboard, 10 Apr. 2018, www.billboard.com/media/podcasts/pop-shop-podcast-ajr-interview-8301705/. Accessed 7 June 2023. “Barenaked Ladies: Pollywog in a Bog (Music Video 2008) - Trivia.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt13287402/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Bio.” East Love, www.eastlovemusic.com/bio. Accessed 7 June 2023. “Bryan Adams - Summer of ’69.” Web.archive.org, 26 Sept. 2010, web.archive.org/web/20100926075104/jimvallance.com/01-music-folder/songs-folder-may-27/pg-song-adams-summer-of-69.html. Accessed 8 June 2023. “CRASH ADAMS 🚀 on TikTok.” TikTok, www.tiktok.com/@crashadamsmusic/video/7231671551546920198. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Dinah Washington - Soulville / Let Me Be the First to Know.” Www.discogs.com, 1963, www.discogs.com/release/3453744-Dinah-Washington-Soulville-Let-Me-Be-The-First-To-Know. Accessed 8 June 2023. “East Love.” Spotify, open.spotify.com/artist/0xGSNh06Su9UthAz4o1cvM. Accessed 7 June 2023. “East Love - Sweet Arizona [Official Video] W/ Lucie Fink.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTOUoQ4VVKE. Accessed 7 June 2023. “Fitz and the Tantrums.” Wikipedia, 25 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitz_and_the_Tantrums. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Glass Animals: UK Band’s Hit Heat Waves Sets New Record to Top US Chart.” BBC News, 8 Mar. 2022, www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60660186. Accessed 8 June 2023. “I Go Swimming (Live).” Open.spotify.com, 6 June 1983, open.spotify.com/track/22PWBqD941R6TwZs30nFk8?autoplay=true. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Island in the Sun (Weezer Song).” Wikipedia, 4 Mar. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_in_the_Sun_(Weezer_song). “Kyle Hume.” SoundCloud, soundcloud.com/kylehume. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Let It Rain (Eric Clapton Song).” Wikipedia, 22 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Rain_(Eric_Clapton_song). Accessed 8 June 2023. “Login • Instagram.” Www.instagram.com, www.instagram.com/p/CstZJv9td2z/. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Login • Instagram.” Www.instagram.com, www.instagram.com/jfinkelz/. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Login • Instagram.” Www.instagram.com, www.instagram.com/rajivdhall/. Accessed 8 June 2023. Nast, Condé. “Lizzo Shares New Video for “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready).”” Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2022, pitchfork.com/news/lizzo-shares-new-video-2-be-loved-am-i-ready-watch/. Accessed 8 June 2023. ---. “Lizzo: “Truth Hurts.”” Pitchfork, pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/lizzo-truth-hurts/. Accessed 8 June 2023. News, A. B. C. ““Dancing with the Stars” 2015: Andy Grammer Gets the Boot on Week 7.” ABC News, abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dancing-stars-2015-andy-grammer-boot-week/story?id=34920248. Accessed 8 June 2023. Payne, Chris. “Hear Avicii’s Awesome Unreleased Jam with the Killers’ Brandon Flowers.” Billboard, 5 June 2015, www.billboard.com/music/music-news/avicii-brandon-flowers-days-killers-6590204/. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Peter Gabriel - Plays Live.” Www.discogs.com, 1983, www.discogs.com/master/29893-Peter-Gabriel-Plays-Live. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Roulette Records.” Wikipedia, 19 Sept. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roulette_Records#:~:text=Roulette%20Records%20was%20an%20American. Accessed 8 June 2023. Salmon, Felix. “The Trajectory of a Sleeper Hit.” Axios, 17 Dec. 2022, www.axios.com/2022/12/17/the-trajectory-of-a-sleeper-hit. “Soulville by Dinah Washington.” Secondhandsongs.com, secondhandsongs.com/performance/63012. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Subscribe to Read | Financial Times.” Www.ft.com, ig.ft.com/life-of-a-song/summertime-blues.html. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Sugar Ray.” Billboard, www.billboard.com/artist/sugar-ray/. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Surf’s up (2007) - IMDb.” Www.imdb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt0423294/. “The Dream Syndicate Ultraviolet Battle Hymns and True Confessions.” The Dream Syndicate, www.thedreamsyndicate.com/. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Weezer.” Billboard, www.billboard.com/artist/weezer/chart-history/hsi/. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Weezer.” Spotify, 8 June 2023, open.spotify.com/artist/3jOstUTkEu2JkjvRdBA5Gu. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Wiki - Island in the Sun — Weezer.” Last.fm, www.last.fm/music/Weezer/_/Island+in+the+Sun/+wiki. Accessed 8 June 2023. Wikipedia Contributors. “Robbie Williams.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Williams. “Young Rising Sons.” Spotify, 7 Nov. 2023, open.spotify.com/artist/6ZUjdwG0NvY6MT7vvmluhV?autoplay=true. Accessed 8 June 2023. “Young Rising Sons Understand You May Be “Sad”, so Let’s All Clap Hands about It.” Vanyaland, 3 Oct. 2018, vanyaland.com/2018/10/03/young-rising-sons-understand-you-may-be-sad-so-lets-all-clap-hands-about-it/. Accessed 8 June 2023.

We do not own the rights or licensing to any of these songs, and their music and lyrics belong to the rightful copyright owners. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.

The cover image to this article is in the public domain, and was edited by Nathaniel Wiley.