There is something magical about summer that makes everything feel lighter and more alive. The sun is out longer, the air is charged with the scent of sunscreen and freshly cut grass, and there is a freedom in the heat that simply makes you want to get going. Summer is not merely a season to me, it’s an attitude, and the music is just as much a part of it as the sunlight.
Whether I’m in the car with the windows rolled down, reading in the sun, or having a low-key party in the backyard, music sets the tone. A good summer playlist must be versatile; it has to have chill tones for sleepy afternoons, high-energy bangers for impromptu dance parties, and those classic tunes that get you singing your heart out like you’re four years old again. Music has a way of marking moments, and every summer I am left with a few tunes that sum up the way it was.
This year, I’ve put together a list of my favorite tracks that match the mood I’m looking for: sun-splashed, carefree, and a little retro. If you’re heading on a road trip, need something to play when you drive with your windows rolled down, or just need a happy-go-lucky soundtrack to kick back to, these songs are here to set the mood.
For my friends who are searching for the perfect songs to add to a summer playlist, here are my top picks.
“Mona Lisa” by Dominic Fike
This song embodies summer in its three minutes and six seconds. Everything about it screams summer, from the lyrics to the melody. It is perfect for rolling down the windows and screaming with friends during late summer nights. While some might say that the repetitive chorus is annoying, I think that it’s great to just sing along with the whole song since there are not many lyrics you have to learn. It’s easy to learn a song if it has a repetitive chorus because you will probably still be singing it even when the song is done playing.
“Serotonin” by OneRepublic
I love this song because I always feel so much happier after listening to it. Something about it always lifts my mood, which is why it’s perfect for a 2025 summer playlist. It is from their new album, Artificial Paradise, which has many other summery songs. This song stuck out to me after I listened to it on vinyl for the first time. I was still thinking of it after hearing all the rest of the songs. It’s safe to say I felt some serotonin in my body after listening to “Serotonin.”
“Starships” by Nicki Minaj
This song is the definition of teenage-girl summer. The lyrics, beat, and vibes make this song a catchy classic that I can sing at any moment. It’s very carefree, which is exactly how most teens deserve to feel after getting out of the never-ending school routine. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ve heard this song somewhere before: it is quite popular. Nicki Minaj is a serious rap artist, and while this song has some rap, it is not the same as her other popular hits. Don’t let Minaj’s name in the title deter you from giving this song a listen.
“Numb” by Marshmello
I think that everyone should have this song on their playlists because it’s clean and has a simple chorus that anyone can catch on to. It isn’t a super-fast song where you don’t know what the singer is saying; it has a medium pace where you can still understand what they’re saying but don’t get bored. When my best friend and I are driving around, this one is a frequent listen because of the vibes it brings, no matter how we may be feeling that day.
“The Spins” by Mac Miller, Empire of the Sun
While this song is a bit explicit, it is perfect for driving around on cool summer evenings with your friends. I like the tempo and the beachy beats that follow throughout the song. This song is another one that embodies the feeling of teenage-girl summer, but it’s not only able to be listened to by girls. It is a song that people of all ages can listen to, as long as they are aware of the explicit parts in the lyrics.
Summer playlists are a great way to keep the mood up and the vibes going when you inevitably face that mid-summer boredom. Having a few good songs can make the difference between your friends begging you to play your playlist and your friends asking you to turn on the radio instead.
