Summer is my favorite time of year. From the warm weather to beach trips and ice cream runs, there's something magical about this season. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, so as you can imagine, summer looks a little different. The blazing heat and dry desert make staying inside look quite appealing.
But every year, our family escapes the desert, and we head down to the coast of southern California for a few days. With the windows rolled down, we blast my favorite summer tunes and drive down the pacific coast highway.
I have a playlist on my phone where I keep my "vibey summer songs" (as I like to call them). And that's what we listen to the entire time we're in California. When I was asked to write an article about songs for summer this year, I knew this was my chance to share some of those "vibey summer songs" that I love.
During the process of writing this, I also discovered a few new songs that I think you'll enjoy. So roll down the windows, find a beach, and crank up these new tunes.
Switchfoot, "Interrobang"
If you've read any of my articles before, you've probably picked up the subtle--or, rather, not-so-subtle--hint that I'm a big fan of rock band Switchfoot. Their music has brought me through some tough days, meaning their songs always make the world seem a little brighter.
Switchfoot's songs make up most of my "vibey summer songs" playlist that I mentioned earlier, and their new single "Interrobang" has earned a spot. "Interrobang" encapsulates the tension in our world, and delivers it in an upbeat pop-meets-rock kind of way.
"Push and pull, checking my pulse/It's a rhythm that you can't control/My world is overthrown, and I'm on overload/Interrobang, fears and fangs/Eyes wide in a world this strange/'Cause where I lose control/Is where I find my soul."
Wilder Woods, "Long Night Coming"
You might not be familiar with Wilder Woods, but you certainly know the voice behind the alias. In 2019, Bear Rinehart, lead vocalist of the rock band NEEDTOBREATHE decided to launch a solo project, titling it under the pseudonym Wilder Woods.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bear released an EP featuring a little song called "Long Night Coming." With an ache inside all who love live music, Bear sings out in the chorus, "Being away from you has been hard to do/But I feel a long night coming." Whether you're on a road trip heading to a concert or are longing to "sing in a crowd of people [you've] never met before," I'd say that "Long Night Coming" is the perfect song for summer.
"I was born to live my life as a rambler/And I can breathe with the road beneath my feet/I wanna sing in a crowd of people I've never met before/A song that makes me love and remember what I'm working for."
We The Kingdom, "Waking Up"
In summer 2020, contemporary Christian band We The Kingdom released their debut self-titled album featuring their song "Waking Up." Around the same time the album came out, we traveled to San Diego to pick up a sweet rescue pup. We listened to a lot of We The Kingdom songs on that trip. And "Waking Up," in particular, brings back many fun memories from that time. It definitely deserves the title of a "vibey summer song," and it's perfect for a road trip. Maybe getting a puppy isn't in your summer plans. But you can surely make time to put this song on your summer playlist.
"I'm waking up, I'm waking up/I can feel my heart beating and breath in my lungs/I'm on fire, finally free/I am alive in the land of the living."
NEEDTOBREATHE, "Sunshine"
Once again, I must return to the impeccable voice of Bear Rinehart. When NEEDTOBREATHE released their album Into The Mystery last year, their track "Sunshine" instantly became one of my favorites on the record. It's a feel-good song, and it's perfect for summer.
There's a line in the song that says, "When we find ourselves in wreckage like we did last night/I hope we're smiling in the morning, I hope we feel alright." The night may be dark, but as it says in the Psalms, joy always comes in the morning. Because of that--whether it's summer or not--we can truly say that we're living in the sunshine.
"I wanna see you running through the field sometimes/I wanna see your eyes looking up through your hands to the sky/Tell 'em you feel alright, we're living in sunshine."
Switch, "This is the Love"
If you're looking for a pop song that still has uplifting lyrics, look no further than Switch's new song, "This is the Love." The beat is catchy, and the lyrics are a beautiful reminder that God's love will never let us down. And good news: if you like this song, the Christian worship pop band Switch have just released a new album in June 2022 called Better View (Deluxe). Whatever you do this summer, make sure you give "This is the Love" a listen.
"You never let me down/Oh, oh, You never let me down/This is the love, yeah/This is the love I've found."
TobyMac, "The Goodness" (feat. Blessing Offor)
It's been a while since we've heard new music from Christian pop icon TobyMac. But he's back and he'll be releasing a new album in August called LIFE AFTER DEATH. He recently released the new single, "The Goodness," featuring up-and-coming Christian artist Blessing Offor. And it came out in time for summer. With an upbeat tune and a great message, "The Goodness" is another summer tune that you won't want to miss out on.
"Ain't no doubt about You/Everywhere that I go You keep showing up Lord/You make me wanna shout/You're the goodness in my life."
JUDAH., "Irresponsible"
After I heard artist JUDAH's collaboration with Switchfoot lead singer Jon Foreman on the song "Don't Know If I Believe It," I was hooked. According to Apple Music, I've listened to the songs on JUDAH's album 3 + 7 over 160 times. (Seems a bit excessive, but I'm not surprised.)
A song that didn't make the cut on the album is "Irresponsible," a single that JUDAH released last summer. It's a song that celebrates the love of God and how He keeps chasing us no matter how far we run. "Irresponsible" features an epic rap section from artist J. Monty, which alone is worth a listen. Make sure you add this one to your next summer playlist.
"I just wanna say that I'm grateful/For all of the ways You've never left me behind/Oh, how irresponsible Your love/And I just wanna praise Your name for all the ways You keep chasing my heart/Oh, how irresponsible Your love."
Coby James, "Shackles (Praise You)" (feat. Evvie McKinney)
If you're a 2000s kid, you probably remember contemporary singer Mary Mary's song "Shackles (Praise You)." Okay, in all honesty, I had never heard of this song until Christian artist Coby James released his rendition of it (but rumor has it that the original was popular). After all, Mary Mary's version does have over 27 million views on YouTube.
Whether you grew up with the song or not, Coby James' take on "Shackles (Praise You)," featuring pop artist Evvie McKinney, is a fun song for summer. I imagine that a lot of kids are will jam out to this song this summer. Or you could jam out to it in your room.
"Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance/I just wanna praise You, I just wanna praise You/You broke the chains now I can lift my hands/And I'm gonna praise You/I'm gonna praise You."
Love & the Outcome, "Lookin' Up"
I think we can all agree that the past two years have been tough. But with summer quickly approaching, it certainly feels like brighter days are around the corner. In the words of Love & The Outcome, things are "lookin' up." Earlier this year Chris and Jodi of Love & The Outcome released their latest album, Only Ever Always, and it features a summer tune called "Lookin' Up." If you're having a hard day and need a reminder that everything is going to be alright, you'll want to put this song on repeat. With a catchy tune and heartfelt lyrics, it's another great song for summer.
"Things are looking up, I feel it in the air/The soul in my walk/No, I'm not even scared/'Cause I can't get enough/You're lighting up the dark/You're never gonna stop/I see You in the scars/Things are looking up."
Ben Rector, "Sunday" (feat. Snoop Dogg)
I saved one of the best "vibey summer songs" for last. I recently heard contemporary artist Ben Rector's song "Sunday," and I loved it. (Plus, it has a reference to Chick-fil-A in it, so how could I not be obsessed with it?) It's the perfect song for summer weekends, and I could easily picture it being listened to on road trips. The song features a collaboration with hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg, and he adds a little something special to an already great song. "Sunday" is a track that you have to listen to this summer.
Whether you're spending your summer cruising down the coast of southern California, or you plan on staying inside and avoiding the heat, you now have 10 incredible songs you can listen to. I wish you a joyful, music-filled summer.
"You got me feelin' like it's Sunday/You got me sayin' 'Hallelujah,' singin' praise/You got me feelin' like the night is gone and the sun is here to stay, whoa."
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
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