The Ultimate Summer Playlist

I am a true music nerd. I love a huge variety of bands, and I know waaay too much about my favorites. I have playlists for everything--homework, housekeeping, cooking, boredom, highway driving and, of course, seasonal.  And to me, nothing says "Summer!!!!!" like roaring down the street with the windows down and your radio blaring. Maybe your choice of radio-blaster is Bruce Springsteen; maybe it's Justin Bieber, but whoever it is, this is the time to blast them loud and proud! You don't have long, only another two or three months until it starts getting colder and you're forced to contain the sound by closing your windows. So don't be shy, blast out those speakers! Want/need any suggestions? Here are some of my staples:

Seaside Bar Song by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is pretty much the ultimate summer-friendly artist, but this song really takes the cake. Hard to resist rolling down the windows and roaring along the highway on a summer night when you're listening to a song about, um, rolling down the windows and roaring along the highway on a summer night.

Souls on Ten by The Almost
If this song doesn't immediately pick up your mood, I don't know what will.

Beat It by Michael Jackson
This song falls squarely into the category of "Songs Avery Knows She Sounds Terrible Singing But Will Sing Along Every Time Regardless." Just watch out, it's highly danceable and you don't want to start tapping your foot while driving.

Basket Case by Avril Lavigne
Back in the days before she went hyperactive pop princess on us, Avril Lavigne had good taste in cover songs and actually knew how to belt in concert. This is one of the rare occasions that I actually prefer the cover over the original song.

Forces of the Unseen by Cloud Cult
Cloud Cult is one of those bands that I just can't even believe really exists. Every time I hear one of their songs, I'm just blown away at how incredibly well composed, arranged, and performed their music is...and this song in particular just blows my mind. "Please say it can't be done, 'cause that's just fuel for me to just prove this, yeah you'll see?" Genius.

San Francisco by Vanessa Carlton
If her voice doesn't send chills down your spine, and her lyrics don't put tears in your eyes, then I don't think we can be friends.

Summer Medley 2011 by Sam Tsui/Kurt Schneider
Sam Tsui is such a good singer that he can give even the most vapid pop songs emotional depth. As for Kurt Schneider, the genius behind the arrangement, he managed to mesh "Party Rock Anthem" with "Edge of Glory" and "Last Friday Night" so well that they sounded like one complete song. Impressed? I know I am.

One World by Utopia
This song sounds like it could be the theme of a TV show or the opening credits of a movie. On a side note, I will never cease to wonder how such a sarcastic smart-ass as Todd Rundgren can make these lovely, upbeat, feel-good songs.

Change Your Mind by The All-American Rejects
Another movie montage-worthy song. I've actually found this one to be pretty multi-purpose--it's a good workout song, a good road trip song, housework song, and just general pick-me-up song.

No Sleep 2Nite by The Faders
This all-girl band reminds me of The Runaways: aggressive, exciting, and damn talented. They are also highly underrated. If you like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, even Ke$ha, you need to check this band out. It's non-negotiable.

Cherry Bomb by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
And speaking of the Runaways...only the woman behind their existence could take one of their songs, pieced together during their lead-singer auditions, cover it with her hard rock band, and sound even better than the original. Joan Jett, leather-clad bad girl, will never ever cease to be one of my key inspirations.

The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Just try to keep from singing along and fist-pumping to this song. (Hint: It's not possible.)

Hey Now by Augustana
And last but not least, we have the ultimate summer slow-dance song. I can't help but think of kisses and hand-holding under a starlit sky on  a warm summer night when I hear it. The soaring strings, the belting vocals, the poetic lyrics, the lulling guitars...it's just incredible.