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Every summer is defined by its soundtrack. The Song of the Summer is a time machine. It has the power to take you back in time long after the grills have gone out, the shorts have been vacuum sealed and the boat has been dry docked. From “Hot In Herrrrre” to “Blurred Lines”, summer anthems are a ticket to the past. They’re firmly stamped into the nostalgia we cling to so dearly.
Let’s take a look at what we’ve got coming down the banger pike in 2018. Bust out the JBL and crank this shit.
“No Tears Left to Cry” – Ariana Grande
Ariana is an unstoppable summer anthem queen. I’m calling it now, you’ll be sick of this song by the Fourth of July. Then you’ll stumble across it a few months later and remember that one lake weekend and your mouth will suddenly taste like grilled bratwurst and sour cream and onion chips. What a feeling. Nobody does power pop better than the Boca Brat and this song is like Ariana adding 3 mph and tailing action to an already devastating fastball. Fire it up.
“Make Me Feel” – Janelle Monae
Even though this song came out a few months ago, it’s gonna own the summer. I’ve been keeping tabs on Janelle Monae for years. She’s slowly become mainstream and now her commercial appeal is about to go to the stratosphere. She’s from my hometown and is a goddamn wrecking ball. “Dirty Computer” is gonna have multiple chart toppers on it. It’s a quintessential summer album. “Make Me Feel” is just a sexy as hell song. Serious Prince and Rhianna vibes on this track. Good things.
“One Kiss” – Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa
Calvin Harris can do no wrong. All I wanna do is drape my body entirely in linen and drink mojitos when I hear this beat. Take a sexy house beat, throw some horns on top of it and then mix in Dua Lipa’s sultry vocals, you’ve got a certified banger. This song screams “patio at 3 p.m. on a Saturday and I’m about to shoulder dance my way into the hearts of every chick at this bar.”
“This is America” – Childish Gambino
Any song that starts with “We just wanna party…” can do no wrong in my mind. Set the mood right away. It’s all about raising a middle finger to The Man and making money. That’s what summer is all about. Going hard, cashing in accrued PTO and singing along to easily remembered lyrics.
“Hunger” – Florence + The Machine
Gotta have an easygoing, motivational deep track on this list. It’s not a traditional summer song, but I keep coming back to this one. Pop this one on the Sunday playlist as the sun goes down and feel as if all is right in the world.
“Yet To Be Dropped Banger That Kills Everything” – Justin Bieber
It’s coming. You know it is. Biebs is just waiting in the wings for his moment to come outta nowhere and blast everyone out of the water with a devastating kill shot, reclaiming his righteous crown..
Image via YouTube
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Brian McGannon
What do I love? I love happy hour, a good golf tan, and getting moderately drunk during dinner.
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I’m pretty sure that political anthems have no place on a Summer banger list. Maybe it’s because I live in DC, but the last thing I need while I’m getting faded on a patio is for “This Is America” to come on and spark debate on the state of race relations in this country.
Agreed. Oh were you enjoying the weather, drinks and your youthful(ish) bliss? Here’s a quick reminder of the racial injustice and rampant gun violence in your country. No thank you.
I was literally about to say the same thing. After seeing that music video, I’m not sure how I could ever listen to this song in a party setting and keep having a good time.
Alan Jackson and turnpike troubadours on my (buddy’s) boat all damn summer.
Sign me the fuck up for this
Thank you. That entire list was a dumpster fire.
Turnpike season
Just remember J Cole went platinum with no features
KOD goes
Let’s not forget about ’03 Bonnie & Clyde
Major oversight on my part.
Why do you do this? I don’t understand. Are you that starved for attention?
We will find you and end you. PGP Appalachian Annex
“Sit Next to Me” is going to play at every beach bar as a mid-happy hour jam that comes on at the magic moment when alcohol tricks you into thinking you dance well
Duke Dumont – Inhale on repeat all summer.
Reminder that Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi is dropping his album next month. We all know what God’s Plan and Nice for What did to our Instagram captions.
I Like It by Cardi B oh my
She runs that shit like cardio
Be Careful
Y’all’re sleeping on Diamonds & Pearls by Dirty Heads. That whole album is a work of fucking art.
Guatemala – Rae Sremmurd
It gets the people going.