7 Songs To Make Your Summer Sizzle

summer-songsTravels and tans, sandals and sunscreen, boats and beaches — summertime is upon us! Busted Halo® has compiled some tunes for your summer listening pleasure. Surf through our playlist, which includes classics and newly released hits alike plus a variety of genres and artists. Along with the music, these songs speak to some important spiritual themes through their lyrics.

Whether you are taking a road trip to your local beach or throwing a barbecue for your closest friends, add these songs to your soundtrack for the summer.

And share your own favorite songs of the summer in the comments section!

#1 Gone, Gone, Gone” by Phillip Phillips
Something about the combination of guitar strums and a raspy voice makes me feel like I’m sitting on the front porch after a long hot day of barbecuing and time spent with my family. Phillip Phillips won “American Idol” in 2012 and this year released his debut album with one of the sweetest songs I have ever heard. “Gone, Gone, Gone” tells the story of a man’s deep, sincere love for his family. It’s a universal concept that you don’t hear enough of in popular music.




#2 Glowing” by Nikki Williams
Nikki Williams is a South African singer and songwriter who began singing at the age of four in her church and in front of family and friends. Although this song was released in 2012, it just recently made Top 40 Charts in the United States. The lyrics are about someone who lights your heart up like you’re “glowing in the dark.” The affirming lyrics on top of a killer upbeat melody and bass make this song a sure hit for the summer.




#3 Latch” by Disclosure
This song came as a pleasant surprise to me when I first heard it while taking a hip-hop dance class. I fell in love immediately with its electronic house sound. When I went home and downloaded it, however, I found that the lyrics were what I connected with the most. Frankly, love songs never really resonate with me because I am not in love. However, these lyrics seemed to perfectly reflect my current location on my journey with God. “Now I’ve got you in my space, I won’t let go of you” — This sounds a lot like the desire God has to be part of my life and how I, in turn, feel about my relationship with God. This song is really just about finding something you love and holding onto it, a theme to which anyone can relate.




#4 I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
Where to begin?! This song is timeless. Whitney Houston is a legend whose voice is flawless and it’s the 80s for crying out loud! Have I not yet made my point? When I hear it, all I can think of is my girlfriends and me on a road trip with the windows rolled down creating our own faux music video. For the record, this is one of the greatest songs to sing at the top of your lungs with your group of friends. It’s impossible to get through the song without feeling compelled to belt out the chorus.




#5 Next to Me” by Emeli Sandé
From the beat, to Sandé throwing down on the piano, to her soulful voice — this song exudes an old-timey, foot-stomping gospel feel. Emeli Sandé is a Scottish artist who is quickly coming to fame in the United States for her exceptional songwriting and vocal talents. In an interview, Sandé said that “Next to Me” is about loyalty and an unconditional love that will be there whenever you need it. Upon first hearing this song, I immediately connected it with God’s unwavering presence in my life — no matter the situation. “When the end has come and buildings falling down fast/When we’ve spoilt the land and dried up all the sea/When everyone has lost their heads around us/You will find Him, You’ll find Him next to me.” These lines remind me of Joshua 1:9: “Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Through it all, God remains with us.




#6 In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry
Nothing screams summer louder than this catchy 70s throwback. With lyrics about going fishing and swimming in the sea, this song makes you just want to go outside and take advantage of the summer. With the simplicity in the strings, the use of vocal percussion, and a great piano melody, one can’t help but bop their head when listening ! “We’re always happy, life’s for living yeah that’s our philosophy!” Isn’t that what summer is all about — enjoying the weather and refreshing yourself? This classic is all about the blissful days of summer.




#7 Summer Love” by Justin Timberlake
I have always been a huge fan of this former Mickey Mouse Club member turned 90s boy-band star turned suave solo artist. Yet even alongside his newest hit album The 20/20 Experience, JT’s 2007 song “Summer Love” will remain an undeniable summer favorite from year to year. Honestly, just the beat is enough to pull me in, with a funky faded electronic melody and a sharp yet heavy-hitting bass. Timberlake’s smooth voice is just the icing on the cake. Chronicling a summer relationship, this song just makes me fall in love with all the memorable aspects of summertime! It certainly has a hand-clapping beat that reminds us of memorable summer moments with the ones we love.