I have a few vivid summer memories that I return to often, and every single one of them has a soundtrack.
The first takes me back to the beginning of summer break right after I graduated eighth grade. I had tagged along with my mom to the grocery store, but decided to wait out the errand in the backseat of the car. As I sat there listening to the radio, Nelly Furtado’s “Turn Off the Light” came on, and I just knew that summer was going to be different. And it was. We went on a family vacation for the first time in years, I attended band camp as part of the color guard (where I met Devin!), and I even let my sister give me an at-home haircut... which I promptly had to get rescued by an emergency appointment at Fantastic Sam's. I still miss the magic of that summer.
My next vivid memory lands a few years later, during the summer after my freshman year of college. I was back home, sleeping in my brand-new bedroom on the newly built second floor of our farmhouse. It was my absolute dream room: three massive windows, goldenrod yellow walls, and bold red bedding.
When I wasn't working the morning shift at Curves, I spent that summer tanning and focusing on my fitness. I was anticipating a proposal at any given moment, so I wanted to look and feel my absolute best! After a grueling hour of cardio and abs, I would lay out in the sun and listen to Nelly Furtado's entire Loose album on repeat. Clearly, there is something about her music that just spells "summertime" for me.
Music is powerful. It can be medicine, it can hold heartache, and it can instantly transport us through time. It’s always been a massive part of my life (which probably explains why I surround myself with such musical people)! I truly love all genres, and nothing brings me more joy than meticulously mixing and matching a playlist to fit my current mood or season of life.
So, it feels only fitting that I share my official summer soundtrack with you today.
This year, I’m craving energy. I need songs that make me want to get up and move; tracks that will power a tough workout or a Friday deep-cleaning routine. Inside this playlist, you’ll find a mix of fresh, new-to-me tracks alongside my favorite, go-to throwbacks from summers long ago that still echo into my life today.
The Sound of Summer (Now)
Dai Dai - Shakira EPA - Becky G Ya Tabtab - INNA Euro Summer - Zara Larsson feat. Shakira No Bad Vibes - Jazzy With Love (Mine) - Hilary Duff Like Whoa (A&A Version) - Aly & AJ Sorry Papi - Topic feat. Becky G Electric Circus - Nelly Furtado & Boi-1da SloMo - Chanel Choka Choka - Anitta feat. Shakira Midnight Sun - Zara Larsson Mayana - Moblack feat. INNA Follow My Arms - Planet Zuzy There It Is (Whoomp) (Navos Remix) The Vega Brothers Nice - Nonô Hotstepper - TRINIX La Reina - Lola Indigo TOKE - Chanel Potential Breakup Song (A&A Version) - Aly & AJ Calabria (feat. Lunis & Lujavo) - Dance Fruits Music Clavaito (Sparrow & Barbossa Remix) - Chanel Marathon - Becky G
The Sound of Summer (Then)
Alors on danse - Stromae Around the World - A Touch of Class Glow - Nelly Furtado Pump Up the Jam - Technotronic Sweet Dreams - La Bouche Run Away - Real McCoy In My Mind (Gigi D'Agostino Remix) - Dynoro Here Comes the Hotstepper - Ini Kamoze Turn Off the Light (Timbaland Full Mix Version) - Nelly Furtado All That She Wants - Ace of Base It's a Fine Day - Opus III Missing (Todd Terry Club Mix) - Everything But The Girl Let My Hair Down - Nelly Furtado Another Night - Real McCoy Touch Me (All Night Long) - Cathy Dennis Happy Nation - Ace of Base The Power - Snap! Money For Nothing - Dire Straits No Hay Igual - Nelly Furtado feat. Calle 13 Trouble - Shampoo Da Funk - Daft Punk Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay Informer - Snow Bla Bla Bla - Gigi D'Agostino The Sign - Ace of Base
In the comments, let me know 1) what is your current song of the summer and 2) what is your favorite summer throwback?
