For this music report, we decided as a Wit staff to include our favorite picks for the summer, or at least songs we are each jamming out to during the summer months.
Usually, you read about my input on why I like the songs, but I thought it would be cool if you could also read why each person picked the song they did!
So without further ado, here is the Wit summer playlist, from Us to You.
Marathana Prothro
Song: Andrew Bird — Bloodless
Andrew Bird may not ring a bell to most people, but it does not mean he is short of success or popularity.
With six songs on the Billboard charts over the past 12 years, Andrew Bird has shown he is very capable of making it time and time again.
“Bloodless” is a smooth song with thought-provoking lyrics, referencing inequality, wealth and the lack of civility in a war-like atmosphere.
The song’s title “Bloodless” is most likely a reference to how people who are dead feel — nothing, meaning that people who are bloodless in the vain of war, have to feel nothing to not get hurt.
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “Andrew Bird is my favorite musician and songwriter working today and I think this song from his latest album, My Finest Work Yet, is particularly poignant for our culture today. In many times, artists are the prophets whose voices we so desperately need to listen to because they see and experience the world in ways the rest of us aren’t necessarily attuned to. This song makes me feel angry and sad and hopeful all at the same time.”
Dave Woodward
Song: Lana Del Rey and Sean Ono Lennon — Tomorrow Never Came
Off her 2017 album Lust For Life, “Tomorrow Never Came” sounds like it comes straight from a dream.
Lust For Life reached number one on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, Lana Del Rey’s second album to reach number one, (the first being Ultraviolence).
“Tomorrow Never Came” sounds as if it walked right out of the moment you fell in love with your middle school crush at the eighth grade dance.
While the subject of the song is very sad, Lana Del Rey’s voice is whispy and beautiful.
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “I love The Beatles and it’s got some hints of John Lennon in Sean. It’s just a nice, good sad song.”
Patrick Spillman
Song: Khalid — Saturday Nights (ft. Kane Brown)
“Saturday Nights” peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The mix of Khalid and Kane Brown is actually pretty amazing.
Khalid is known to collaborate with many different artists including: Billie Eilish, Halsey, Marshmello, Logic and many others.
“Saturday Nights” is a very laid back song, and definitely demonstrates the motum of “Summertime Sadness.”
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “It’s my go to song when I’m in any type of mood” said Patrick Spillman.
Aubrey Bartel
Song: Thomas Rhett — Unforgettable
“Unforgettable” peaked at number four in 2017 on the Country Streaming Songs Chart.
Thomas Rhett is not unfamiliar to Billboard hits, as he has had 12 top ten hits over the past nine years!
One of the biggest country artists in the world right now, Thomas Rhett has headlined shows and sold out arenas and seems to have no plans on stopping!
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “I like Thomas Rhett and it is one of my favorite songs by him,” said Aubrey Bartel.
Hannah Conklin
Song: HAIM — Little of Your Love
“Little of Your Love” is a single from the 2017 album Something to Tell You, which peaked at number 30 on the US Adult Top 40 Chart.
HAIM has also had two other songs on the Billboard 200 Chart, both of which were top ten hits.
HAIM has been nominated for a few different awards such as: Grammy (Best New Artist), MTV Award (Brand New for 2013), and Brit Award (Best International Group 2014 and 2018).
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “It’s the kind of song that comes to mind when I think of driving around with the windows down on a warm summer day.”
Kierra Suffel
Song: The Chainsmokers — Do You Mean (ft. Ty Dolla $ign and bülow)
This song has recently just come out, debuting on April 26, 2019.
As of right now, it has no Billboard chart history, however, it could very well change as The Chainsmokers have amounted 15 songs on various Billboard charts before, including their number one hit “Closer” in 2016.
“Do You Mean” has a very distinct pop vibe and will most assuredly be stuck in everyone’s heads very soon!
Reason Why Song Was Chosen:“It’s catchy and relatable” said Kierra Suffel.
Jenna O’Brien
Song: Queen — I Want To Break Free
“I Want To Break Free” peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Dance Club Charts.
While this song is fairly older, it is most certainly a banger, and is sure to bring out the inner dancing queen in you (double points for the Queen and ABBA reference).
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “Queens ‘I Want To Break Free’ is my go-to song because it’s a good upbeat song that truly embodies 1980s pop music. The lyrics are simple and it’s really hard not to song along when it comes on. While it’s not your traditional “summer song,” I think we can all agree that we’re ready to “break free” and either get out into the real world or at least into summer break.”
Nathan Heinz
Song: Aha — Take On Me
“Take On Me” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
The song has one of the best music videos of all time and has been replicated by other artists as well as video games!
The song has also been remade by the ever popular Weezer.
The album Hunting High and Low was one of the first albums I ever purchased on CD, simply because of “Take On Me.”
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “Cause it slaps,” said Heinz.
Nicole Centofanti
Song: Paramore — Hard Times
Paramore is one of the most popular bands to come from the emo era of the mid 2000s.
The song “Hard Times” peaked at number 90 on the Hot 100 Chart.
“Hard Times” has a beach like vibe which is mostly recognized as “synth-pop.”
The song is the lead single from the album After Laughter, which appeared at various spots on different charts within the Billboard, reaching number one on both the US Top Alternative Chart as well as the US Top Rock Albums Chart.
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “I enjoy listening to Paramore, and I wanted to hear more music by them, so I picked up the CD and gave it a listen. I really like “Hard Times” because the song juxtaposes an energetic beat with subject matter relating to anxiety and feeling helpless. It’s a song everyone can relate to, especially when they feel like nothing is going right for them.”
Trent Mast
Song: Jonas Blue — Mama (ft. William Singe)
“Mama” peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart.
Including “Mama,” Jonas Blue has had two other songs in the top ten for the same chart.
Jonas Blue is a DJ who has worked with popular artists such as: Joe Jonas, Jack & Jack, and Liam Payne.
While Jonas has had Billboard success and collaborative popularity, he is still a lesser known name for right now, which is soon to change very quickly.
Reason Why Song Was Chosen: “It’s a bop” said Mast.
Colten McCabe
Song: Delta Spirit — California
Delta Spirit is the biggest reason why I started listening to indie music.
“California” is off of the self titled album Delta Spirit, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart.
The song “California” is very sad but one of the most liberating songs I have ever listened to.
Many times I have found myself crying, laughing, and simply just living during this song.
I wanted to share “California” with you because it is one of my favorite songs of all time.
And this is our Wit staff playlist for the summer!
We hope you enjoyed the music we shared and also that you found a song that can be your summer song as well!
