Songs of the Summer
Published September 8th
As the school year creeps upon us, a wave of summer nostalgia starts to hit. Whether it’s looking at photos or smelling old perfumes, there are always small things that remind me of the salty air, laughs, and cones of ice cream consumed during the summertime.
For me, one of the most powerful triggers of summer nostalgia is music— the “songs of the summer" that instantly brings back sweet memories and joyous moments of the months between June and August.
Every year, there’s those songs that really remind me of a specific summer, making me say things like “Oh, that song was so summer 2019” or “Wow, this song’s so summer.” Some examples of this phenomenon include “Marlboro Nights,” “Sundress,” “The Spins,” and “Chiquettita,” but those are just a few.
Obviously, everyone has their own personal takes on which songs really remind them of the summertime, and you may not agree with my list. However, this is my take on the top five songs of the 2025 summer, the ones that I played on repeat and probably won’t be able to listen to in January without mourning the warm weather and relaxed routine.
This song is such a classic and never fails to put me in a relaxed mood that I associate with the beach and long drives in Cape Cod. It’s super calming, and I strongly recommend adding it to any “beach” or “long drive" playlist you may have!
I’ve always loved this song, and I felt it was especially on repeat this summer. The song, released in 2013, talks about growing up (“It feels so scary getting old”), feeling like you’re living in a dream, and making the most of your life. In a way this song resonates with me, especially due to the surreal feeling of growing up and entering senior year. This song is perfect for blasting in the car during the nighttime, particularly with friends to sing along.
One of my good friends actually introduced me to this song, and I had never really heard of the song nor the artist before. However, after a few car rides, this song really started to become super catchy. I probably learned the lyrics within a week, and by the end of the summer I almost got sick of it.
This song has been out for a while (released in 2015), though I started playing it a lot this summer. I had the privilege of going to the Coldplay concert which was probably one of my favorite concerts I’ve ever been to, and this song was definitely one of my favorites heard live (in addition to “Sparks” and “Yellow”). I really love Beyoncé’s added vocals in this song, and it overall reminds me of having fun and living in the moment.
Ok, this song is definitely a hot-take. Frankly, I wouldn't even consider this a summer song had it not been played over and over at the overnight camp I worked at this summer. After listening to this song repeatedly (not always willingly), I can pronounce that it is not half bad– especially to scream-sing too. The chorus is definitely my favorite, along with the line “Maybe I am just not enough,” which Sam Smith sings so soulfully.
Overall, songs of the summer are such a great way to remember specific moments in time, bringing vivid flashbacks to certain memories that would have otherwise been forgotten. And so while I am sick of them now, I’ll probably find myself returning to these songs mid-February, when I’m longing for the days of summer again.