The morning after our wedding we loaded up the car. We packed our suitcases, a cooler with sandwiches and sodas, a book I never got around to reading, and a case of CDs to keep us entertained. It’s not a summer road trip — never mind a honeymoon — without music.
We drove all the way to Los Angeles listening to a mixture of the radio, some compilation disco CD and other old favorites. To this day I can’t hear “Ray of Light” without picturing H throwing me into the ocean, fully clothed, when we arrived in Santa Monica. Later we carved our initials in a bench at the end of the pier, and when I think of that moment my brain conjures up “Santa Monica” by Everclear.
Of all the mixtapes, CDs and playlists I’ve made over the years, my favorites are the ones I compile for the summer. I think the music we listen to on those road trips to the beach sear into our brains with more permanence somehow. Maybe it’s because we create some of our best memories in the summer, all the way back to childhood, and the nostalgia of a song reminding us of a summer memory is just enough for us to smell the salty air, to feel the sun on our faces, even in the wintertime.
Just take a look at Billboard’s list of the top summer songs from the past 28 years and tell me you don’t have instant flashbacks to that summer vacation of yore.
Here are a few of the places I was transported: a lake in Texas, a huge high school party at a college friend’s house, a party in New York, midnight drives with friends
I remember all the cars I was driving, all the people I was with. I wonder what my car will look like in the future and how the cast of characters will change when I make a summer playlist next year. For now, I will take my new playlist for a spin and build more memories around these songs. (Spoiler: I listened to it the entire time I’ve been working on this post, and I’m dancing in my chair.)
Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist
Five tips for a good summer road trip playlist:
1. Start with one song that reminds you of summer.
2. Add others, being mindful to mix eras and music styles. Variety is the spice of life, and of music playlists.
3. Move the songs around until you find the perfect “flow.”
4. Keep slower songs to a minimum. They are good sparingly, but you are DRIVING. You don’t want to fall asleep, amirite?
5. This isn’t the time to show off your indie music prowess, unless you want your passengers’ eyes to glaze over. Stick with songs everyone can relate to and sing along with, or at least shake their shoulders to.
What songs would make your summer road trip playlist? I’m curious!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
