The Summer of 2020 In A Playlist

Warning: Some recommended songs may contain explicit content. Marked with an (E) next to the song title.

The summer of 2020 was a wild one. With loosening quarantine restrictions on what we can do, I spent almost all of my time with my friends outside - at a friend's pool; night swimming, bonfires; bags (NOT cornholes, silly); s'mores; and shopping (oops). If you know me at all, you know that I have over thirty playlists for a variety of things. I used several this summer, but overall, I captured the mood of the summer and top hits that seemed to be played everywhere in this 6 and a half hour playlist, simply named 'the summer in a playlist'. A mix of indie rock/pop, TikTok songs, and hype rap (and a few throwbacks), here's the summer of 2020 in a playlist.

"Can I Call You Tonight?" - Dayglow

A fun, fresh, and VERY nostalgic song, this makes me yearn for days of the nineties when I wasn't even alive yet. Sweet but soft electric guitar chords force the listener to pay attention, but as the song goes on, you inevitably end up remembering long summer nights talking to that person on the phone. I've probably mentioned this song on my blog before, because even with my extensive music background, I would have to say it's my favorite.

"Watermelon Sugar" - Harry Styles

Even if you're not a fan of One Direction, Harry Styles has come a long way. With an angel's voice slightly reminiscent of the nineties, this song is for everyone. It's definitely stayed in the Top 40 for a long time, but it's not your usual bland pop song. Reverb'ed voice and a guitar line echoing popular eighties songs, it's a simple yet rousing summer song.

"Ribs" - Lorde

If you really read into the lyrics, it's sad. Speaking to growing older, Lorde's crooning voice touches your soul in a way that drags you down while lifting you up at the same time. Repetitive choruses sang differently with different backgrounds reflects and contrasts how growing old (or growing up) can feel stifling and/or freeing. This song is mean to be played on night drives the volume up all the way, tears streaming down your face and feeling in love with the entire world.

"Paradise" - Bazzi (E)

A simple background beat, a lilting voice, and carelessness wrapped into nostalgia creates another one of those songs that you can't relate to. This song absolutely reeks of Friday nights, in the best way possible. Yes, it's explicit, but not in a degrading way; rather, it heightens the feeling of youth and enjoying life.

"hot girl bummer" - blackbear (E)

Yes, this song is not meant for a younger audience. If you're under 13 or 14, just skip to the next song. With drug references, sexual references, and lots of swearwords, it's meant for a party playlist. Fairly prevalent this summer and last summer was 'hot girl summer'. Hot girl summer was about females taking control of their sexuality, instead of allowing the patriarchy to shame them. "hot girl bummer" is about being burned by someone participating in hot girl summer.

"The Beach" - The Neighborhood

This song is quietly powerful, if you see my post about the Neighborhood. Nothing to add!

"rockstar" - Post Malone ft. 21 Savage (E)

Also not for younger audiences. While this song was at its height a summer or two ago, it's been repopularized by TikTok. While you may immediately write this off because Post Malone is a rapper, he's a very talented one. Lyrical, and with a fairly good singing voice, he's not your run-of-the-mill male rapper talking about 'b*tches and h*es'.

"Summer" by Calvin Harris

This is kind of a throwback, popular in the early, early 2010's. It's mostly beat with sparse lyrics, but it's impossible to not jump up and down while listening to it. It's the very definition of hype. Harris is primarily a DJ, and you can tell he's talented. It speaks to a carefree summer fling he ended up falling in love with. Also, the best beat drops I've ever heard.

"goodnight n go" - Ariana Grande (E)

Ah, the voice of an angel. Grande outdoes herself with this song. One of the sweetest, well-intentioned songs I've ever come across, a simple beat supports her voice without over- or underwhelming it. It's about her realizing how much she's falling in love with this boy, and she's telling him to go, instead of staying the night. The implication is that they have plenty of time, and no need to rush their relationship. Of course, Grande has more sexual songs, but this is the most innocent.

"American Money" - Borns

What a sixties song. While it has modern elements, including a very subtle beat, this indie pop song is mostly overexposed electric guitar and angelic vocals. The lyrics are simple, speaking of meeting your soulmate and realizing it right away. It has some very subtle sexual references, but it's not dirty or derogatory; rather, celebrating the union of one body and soul. It's a 'hippie' sort of outlook, but the idea is beautiful and pure, which is reflected absolutely perfectly in the song.

"Midnight City" - M83

With eighties synth influence, as well as some interesting nineties influence, Midnight City is mostly a freeing song, speaking to late night adventures in New York City, running on rooftops and adventuring on the subway. The lyrics are simple, repetitive, and almost completely covered by the music, but it does speak to escapades in the city after dark. The more the song goes on, the more nostalgic you feel for memories you haven't even had yet. Some quick research has shown this term is Anemoia: nostalgia for a time you've never known.

"Cough Syrup" - Young the Giant

A more sensitive indie pop/rock song, Young the Giant pours out the pain and hopelessness he's feeling. It sounds morbid for a fun summer playlist, but it's about growing up. The electric guitar and drums supply the perfect backgrounds, surrounding Sameer Gadhia's voice perfectly. At different points in the song, there's quiet guitar solos, providing perfect transitions from bridge to chorus to verse.

Although you may not be a fan of one or two of these songs, there's hundreds to choose from. I only picked some highlights that show the variety! Although it's mostly indie pop or indie rock, there's also some throwbacks that I didn't mention, like "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" or "Cecelia And The Satellite". Please feel free to enjoy! Send me song recommendations to add to the playlist - favorites from the summer of 2020 or songs that make you feel nostalgic.