Song of the Summer – a coveted title that many strive for including during the MTV Video Music Awards. We at Beyond The Stage take those four words very seriously, but we couldn’t just choose one song to take home the grand prize. Each chosen by a different staff member, these represent a different meaning of summer because we all know it is more than just a time of year; it’s the embodiment of an escape. Let us help you escape. In honor of today being the first official day of summer 2023, here are the songs (plural) of the summer chosen by BTS.
Big Time Rush is back and bigger than ever. “Weekends,” off their new album Another Life, is the perfect summer bop for anyone who’s a little hurt by being ghosted or ready for something new. Our previous cover stars are headed out on tour soon and we can’t wait to hear the song live.
Addie Whelan, Editor In Chief
Are you wanting a song that’s perfect for getting kissed under the summer sun or having your skin kissed by the summer sun? Well, this one is perfect to have in the background for ALL the summer activities – beach days, romantic sunset walks, windows down speeding-in-the-fast-lane car rides, picnics, ice cream stops. Thank you Hailee Steinfeld for “SunKissing,” the song of the summer!
Amanda Restaino, Deputy Editor + Intern Director
It’s here and it’s queer. Palehound is back with more journal rock and guitar solos that sound like total gut punches (funny that those are the song’s lyrics). “The Clutch” is emotional, loud, fun and again, queer….just as all ‘songs of the summer’ should be. C u in the pool!
Ben Pagani, Deputy Editor
It (“Belong in the Sun”) makes me think of summer in the most luxurious way possible. White linen shirts, yacht parties, basking in the sunlight, dancing on the beach. It’s easygoing, laidback, relaxed and already played way too much in my library. It’s already my song of the summer.
Abhi Bararia, Copy Editor
Hailee Steinfeld has recently dropped two singles that show she’s leaning into her Southern California roots. “Coast” was the first of these and embodies the feeling of doing exactly that, getting with your friends and driving around in the summer sun. Anderson .Paak and Hailee came together to make this upbeat and lighthearted track that definitely deserves a spot on your summer rotation.
Marissa Sandoval, Project Manager
Tove Lo has always had a darker sensibility to her music, but that hasn’t stopped her from also embracing upbeat, sometimes summery sounding pop. Her latest single “I like u” follows her musical lineage with introspective lyrics, this time about finding love in someone who’s taken, but uses the songs structure and lyrics to find a more fun and nuanced take on the situation. The song starts tame but builds to a shimmering and euphoric drop that hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s a windows down, hair in the wind kind of chorus that just screams summer in a way that only Tove Lo can do.
Blake Charles, Contributing Photographer + Writer
From his long-awaited third album, this is an upbeat love song with an infectious bridge. A track that will definitely be booming through your speakers this summer.
Ivy Sandoval, Contributing Writer
For me this is a feel-good song. The type that when it comes on you can just forget about your problems for 3 minutes and 35 seconds. The chorus is one to scream on those late summer nights with your friends. It’s also a song that is full of empowerment and moving on from the bad times. It makes me happy, I feel happy listening to it.
Sam Aneed, Contributing Writer
Personally, “Welcome to the DCC” is absolutely my song of the summer! It’s so groovy that it automatically puts me in the greatest of moods. It makes me want to dance through the streets on a summer night. There is truly nothing better than a song that gets you right on your feet and out the door to enjoy the best season of the year!
Chelsea Gresh, Assistant Photo Editor
When the air gets warmer and the days get longer, my playlists inevitably bounce back to middle school vibes. The inevitable nostalgia of yearning for late evening pool parties and running through sprinklers grinning with sunburned cheeks simply demands a fitting early-2000s song. And what could be more 2000s nostalgic that the 2006 hit “Music is My Hot, Hot Sex” by Brazilian rock band CSS? The song gained popularity from—what else?—an iPod ad, and the driving guitars and thumping drums are as sharp and addicting as ever. If nostalgia is your summer vibe, this one’s for you.
Dana Jacobs, Contributing Photographer
“Dublin in Ecstasy” by Inhaler is the song of the summer because it’s a high energy rock song with sick guitar riffs and an incredible beat! I can picture walking around the city in the heat of the summer absolutely jamming to this song. The lyrics reminisce on memories made in Dublin, and I can’t wait to listen back and reminisce to the memories I make this summer.
Nicole Guillen, Contributing Photographer
I was making a playlist after buying tickets to Austin City Limits and discovered DOPE LEMON. When I first heard “Rose Pink Cadillac” I was like “Oh yeah, this is it.” The dancey beat, the retro feeling and the lyrics about loving all the different things about one person give off the perfect vibes for a summer fling. This song is spot on for blasting with the windows down.
Sydney Wisner, Contributing Photographer
For song of the summer I’d pick “Everything is Quiet Now” by Knocked Loose, one of two surprise singles dropped June 14th. Lead vocalist Bryan Garris described the two in a press release as “a reminder that we are heavy, intense, and extreme.” Although summer is admittedly not one of my favorite seasons, to me, I feel that this perfectly encapsulates my summer experience between the intensity of the weather and the business of the season.
Ari Battis, Contributing Photographer
It’s a Walk the Moon summer! 2023 has been a very nostalgic year for me, so I have found myself listening to all of my old summer favorites. Anything off Walk the Moon’s self-titled album fits the vibe of summer 2023, but “Tête-À-Tête” is my go-to this year.
Maggie Montgomery, Contributing Photographer
Daniel Caeser’s vocals on “Valentina” create the perfect fantasy world for a summer full of love. I’m a sucker for romantic sounds and this song just ropes me in every time. This is the song of the summer because it’s both passionate and warm.
Claudia Cortez, Junior Contributing Writer
“The Wine We Drink” is the perfect song to accompany a warm rainy night with, of course, the aforementioned glass of wine. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors sweetly capture a reverence for the little things that are the easiest to take for granted. Plus, the group is playing some major festivals this season!
Cate Pasterchick, Junior Contributing Writer
Taylor Swift SLAYED so hard with this song. It’s easily one of the best songs on her discography, and I’m so glad it’s finally going to be recognized as a single. It’s upbeat, gives “windows down” vibes and is the perfect song for anyone in their “Lover” era or anyone who wants a colorful, fun-filled summer!
Lauren Sanchez, Junior Contributing Writer
Sitting at the beach, driving to work and cleaning at home all have at least one thing in common – they require music! Whether summer is your favorite time of the year and filled with fun activities or not, we think everyone can get behind creating the perfect seasonal playlist. Let us help you get started with these staff picks!
Which will you be adding to your own summer playlist today?
Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!
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