Here is what’s on our playlist of best hits that played this summer. Be sure to get these songs to jam to keep the summer memory alive and well.
Be sure to tell us what songs made YOUR “Summer Favorites” playlist?
1) Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee (Ft. Justin Bieber)
We obviously had to put this song at the top of list. It has charted for 13 weeks in a row and is still sitting in the Top 40. This song’s music video smashed records and holds the record for most views EVER, getting over 3 billion views. Whether you like the song or not, that is impressive.
2) Humble – Kendrick Lamar
We have to recognize the song that landed Kendrick Lamar six VMA’s last week. He continues to blow people away with the message of his music and the quality of his music videos. He is changing some people’s minds about rap and hip-hop and for that, he gets on this list at #2.
3) Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
Because this was the first song released for Ed Sheeran’s musical come back. This was technically released in the winter, but this banger is still on the charts and currently the second most streamed song on Spotify. It charted number one in 35 countries and we just love Ed Sheeran.
4) Malibu – Miley Cyrus
Before there was “the new Taylor” there was this. “Malibu” was the first taste of the new Miley Cyrus we would be hearing when Younger Now, her sixth studio album, is released. This song shows that the metamorphical-Miley has really come full circle and tapping back into her roots. If you haven’t hear this song yet, it definitely has a beach-vibe that you can’t deny.
5) Body Like A Back Road – Sam Hunt
We all made jokes about how we would hate to get stuck behind Sam Hunt going “15 in a 40” but that also means we all listened to the song, so “Body Like a Back Road” makes it onto our playlist. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of country, you can probably get down with this song.
6) That’s What I Like – Bruno Mars
You can always depend on Bruno Mars to have a song about all the finer things in life (which is totally unrepeatable) and turn it into a banger. This song charted the highest off of the 24K Magic album. No, I don’t have a condo in Manhattan, but I do like this song.
7) Praying – Kesha
No, I’m not crying, you are. This song has hit deep with a lot of people. “Praying” was Kesha’s first song released after her court trials. The song is extremely personal and shows a level of compassion and strength that a lot of us would struggle to find. You also get to hear Kesha really sing for the first time. Her album, Rainbow, is out now.
8) Look What You Made Me Do – Taylor Swift
We had to put this song on our list because of how intricate the workings of Taylor Swift are. Everything from the timing of the release, to the lyrics and especially the videography of the shade-throwing music video dropped during the VMAs. This is a new sound for Swift and whether you just made a frenemy or went through a break-up, you can probably think of a reason to sing along. Her new album has 2 singles released to date and will drop November 10th.
9) Stay – Zedd & Alessia Cara
This song won a VMA for “Best Dance” song of 2017. Zedd always has great rhythm to his music and Alessia Cara adds natural vocals that can’t be beat by any other young artist. This song sounds like summer 2017.
10) Sorry Not Sorry – Demi Lovato
This was the first single released from Demi Lovato’s new album (out Sept 29th) Tell Me You Love Me. This song is one you can’t help but sing and dance to. Whether you are an unapologetic as Demi is in this song or not, you’ll pretend you are the reason people showed up to the party when this song is played. (P.S. We all want to party with Demi after watching the video.)
11) Take Me- Aly & AJ
You probably haven’t thought about them since the last time you tuned into Radio Disney. The Michaka sisters haven’t released music under “Aly & AJ” in 10 years. They have brought an adult sound to the table with the single “Take Me.” They intend to release an EP this early winter and do a short tour stint this next summer. This song has a nostalgic vibe that we can’t wait to hear in the rest of the EP.
12) Attention – Charlie Puth
This song was written and produced by Charlie Puth for his second studio album, Voice Notes. I think we like this song so much because everyone knows an attention-suck. This song is about Puth realizing that this chick only wants to be with him for who is he and the attention she draws with it.
13) Bad At Love- Halsey
This is the second song released from her upcoming second studio album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. Halsey grabbed attention when she was featured on the Chainsmokers song, “Closer.” Her first studio album, Badlands, didn’t get much air-time because of her previously more explicit content from her real experiences of being kicked out of her home and dating heroin addict. Her newest album is supposed to have more radio-friendly content on it, like this jam, “Bad At Love.”
14) Strip That Down – Liam Payne & Quavo
We had to put this song on our list because he was the last member of One Direction to release music independently. After the Harry Styles hype died down Liam Payne laid out some hits to help cap off this summer. This one was one of the most requested songs we got this summer on WBTI.
15) Bad Liar – Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez dropped off the radar for a bit after canceling her world tour while battling Lupus. She was diagnosed in 2015 and was struggling to pull back and adjust to what her new lifestyle would be. When she posted an Instagram-sneak peek at the beginning of summer, we knew she was back with the music she had been working on. The song is light hearted and doesn’t go the direction you think it’s going to… just like this music video. You might have to watch it more than once.
16) Homemade Dynamite – Lorde
This song wasn’t on a lot of people’s radar until Lorde DIDN’T sing it at the VMAs. Moments before her performance she tweeted about her flu symptoms and then she came out and danced on stage. It was very awkward to watch… so instead of making you feel awkward while you listen to a good song, watch this video instead.
17) Sun Comes Up – Rudimental ft. James Arthur
This song is all about overcoming adversity and who doesn’t like that? 2017 has been filled with great “fight against the system” type songs and this one flew a little under the radar. This song will give you summer vibes that are more upbeat and pop than previous top charter, “Lay it on Me.”
18) Havana – Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
Now that there has been some healing time since Camila Cabello left Fifth Harmony she has started releasing singles from her upcoming solo album, The Hurting, The Healing, The Loving. Unpopular opinion: This song is better than “Crying in the Club.” This song made it on the summer list for the hot Havana feels.
19) Slide – Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean & Migos
This song is described as “nu-disco.” It definitely has an experimental groovy-meets-techno sound– similar to the way “Feels” experimented with sound. This song will have you thinking of summer well into December. (Summer is a mindset!)
20) Younger Now – Miley Cyrus
This is the third song released from Miley Cyrus’ newest studio album, Younger Now. This song is basically a shout-out to everyone that said “old Miley” this and “new Miley” that. To quote the song, “Nobody stays the same… change is a thing you can count on.” Everyone can relate to this song. This is for every time someone told you, “You’re just not the same.”
21) Uh Huh – Julia Michaels
“Issues” might have been the popular song of the summer for young artist, Julia Michaels, but it wasn’t her best! “Uh Huh” is the second single released from her first EP, Nervous System. She was nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ at the 2017 VMAs and was beat at the last minute by Khalid. This song is more upbeat and optimistic than “Issues.”
22) No Promises – Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato
This track is currently charting top 20 in 13 countries. Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato performed the song together on the Tonight Show. This song went unnoticed by some but we definitely think it belongs on our “Summer Favorites” playlist.
23) Cut to the Feeling – Carly Rae Jepsen
One of our favorite Canadian singers. Carly Rae Jepsen hasn’t charted in the USA since her hit with Owl City. This song never made is big in the states but after listening to it, we thought it deserved to get added to our playlist. This song was used in the animated summer movie, “Leap!” This pop song was supposed to be on her 2015 studio album, Emotions, but the label decided it was too theatrical to be featured and it was removed from her album and later slated for “Leap!”
24) Feels – Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, & Big Sean
This song has an island-pop feel that makes you feel like your on vacation. It plays with sound effects and different music-genres which isn’t uncommon for Calvin Harris. You can’t help but think about sipping a fish bowl on a white sand beach with a cute cabana boy (or babe.)
25) Symphony – Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson
We added this song because we love the full range of instruments incorporated into it. “Symphony” is a unique pop-synth song by “classical crossover” band Clean Bandid with vocalist Zara Larsson. Clean Bandit is a British band known for experimenting with their music by using many orchestra instruments and making a pop sound. “Symphony” went platinum in the UK and gold in the states.
26) Sweat – All American Rejects
This is one of two songs released this past July by All American Rejects. These singles are precursors to a new studio album to be released later this year. This song did not get enough recognition. It’s got a lot of that old-All American Reject flare that we have been missing from modern band music.
27) Something Like This – Chainsmokers & Coldplay
The Chainsmokers are always killing it on their collaboration songs. This song has the perfect tempo for a fun summer night. “Something Just Like This” was the second song released from their second studio album, Memories…Do Not Open.
28) Mama – Jonas Blue ft. William Singe
This song was released by Jonas Blue’s own record label back in May. This song ft. Australian singer, William Singe, is a fun song to get you on your feet and get you in the mood to go out with your friends, which is exactly what summer is all about! Jonas Blue is slowly cracking into the USA top 40.
29) Boogie Feet – Kesha ft. Eagles of Death Metal
This song hasn’t had any air-play but definitely deserves to be on this list. Kesha collaborated twice with the Eagle of Death Metal on her new album. It’s a mixture of what we used to hear from Kesha with a new funky flare. If you like Eagle of Death Metal then you’ll like this Kesha song, even if you weren’t a fan before. It’s a song to cap off the summer.
30) …Ready For It? – Taylor Swift
Released at the very end of summer, Taylor Swift’s second release from Reputation hit iTunes just one week after the video for “Look What You Made Me Do” dropped. Her album isn’t set to be released until November 10th but in just three weeks she has released two new songs and a music video. Is it the 12 weeks of Taylor until Reputation releases? No more questions after hearing this one, the old Taylor is definitely dead.
