Top 20 Summer Travel Songs
Last month, I spent three weeks travelling around Asia and most of that time was spent either sitting on planes or on subways. While I was on the plane, I made a 4-hr playlist with all my favourite songs on it.
20. Give Me Something — Seafret
Seafret is always a classic on rainy days and I encountered quite a bit of rain (not to mention, a typhoon) while I was in Hong Kong. This soft, acoustic tune is perfect for falling asleep on the train.
19. King and Lionheart — Of Monsters and Men
King and Lionheart sparks the spirit of adventure and hope in darkness. It’s the perfect track for driving down an empty desert highway in the middle of nowhere.
18. 100 Letters — Halsey
Anyone who has listened to Halsey will agree that you can’t get tired of her music. Her style is unique and her songs tell a story using meaningful and beautiful lyrics. 100 Letters is no exception of her unforgettable music. It features an exotic drum beat and descending bass line.
17. Ultralife — Oh Wonder
Ultralife is the embodiment of the popular saying, YOLO. It is about going on an adventure and living your best life. This high energy alt-pop song is a sure to get you up and dancing whether you’re by the pool or on a long road trip. It’s fun, upbeat and perfect to sing along to.
16. Sweet Tooth — Scott Helman
Sweet Tooth is another song that gets you up on your feet and is perfect to dance to. This is one of my favourite songs from Scott Helman’s new album, Hôtel de Ville. It is the definition of a vacation song because it is about putting yourself out there and being young and free.
15. All My Love — Why Don’t We
Featured in their new EP, Why Don’t We Just, All My Love is a must-listen. Its techno beats are rhythmic, persistent and the beat drops are on-point. Not only is this young group talented, but their music is different and fresh.
14. Thunder — Imagine Dragons
Thunder combines many new techniques in music and turns it into a masterpiece. It is creative, contemporary and intensely amazing. It perfectly fits into their new album, Evolve, and is really an evolution in music.
13. Stay — Zedd/Alessia Cara
As most people can tell, Stay is not your ordinary love song. Zedd does a great job of using the beats to support the vocalist, Alessia Cara. This song is very vocal-driven and features some epic beat-drops.
12. Pumped Up Kicks — Bridge and Law Remix (Foster The People)
I recently stumbled upon this version of Foster The People’s Pumped Up Kicks and immediately fell in love with it. Rather than the old-fashioned original version, the Bridge and Law Remix coverts all that into energy by amping up the bass line and adding a countermelody.
11. First Time — Kygo/Ellie Goulding
After Kygo’s collaboration with Selena Gomez, fans have been looking forward to his new series of songs. First Time is about exactly what the title suggests, the feeling of falling in love for the first time. This is a song that is sure to make your road trip perfect.
10. Ride — 21 Pilots
What’s a better road trip song than Ride? 21 Pilot songs are always strangely good despite their respective weirdness. This song is all about relaxing, taking a breath and not thinking too much. (They repeat the line “I’ve been thinking too much” about sixty times in the song.)
9. California Kids — Weezer
I don’t usually listen to rock bands but I consider Weezer to be a completely different beast altogether. California Kids is one of those songs that you put on as your alarm clock because it is energetic and gets you excited.
8. All We Know — The Chainsmokers
All We Know is an amazing contrast to Chainsmoker’s #1 hit, Closer. It starts off with soft vocals and synths. It’s not overwhelmingly loud which makes it a great tune for a nature walk by the beach or a road trip.
7. Roman Holiday — Halsey
Like most of the songs from Halsey’s Badlands album, her songs invoke certain feelings and memories. Roman Holiday is nostalgic, smoky and free. The guitar riff played in the background is something to listen for as it leads into the build for the last time of the chorus.
6. Home — Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
I rarely listen to country music but Home is heartwarming and sublime. It features a memorable chorus and a driving guitar riff. The lyrics, “Home, let me come home, Home is wherever I’m with you” are relatable and just so sweet.
5. San Diego, 1988 — The Darcys
San Diego, 1988 is another road trip song and essentially, it makes you feel like you’re at a nightclub. It features a heavy electronic bass and synths that are on point. It’s one of those #throwback songs that aren’t actually from the past but still gives that vibe.
4. Home We’ll Go — Walk Off The Earth
This country/dance tune is a warm reminder that no matter how far from home you are, every place you go is home. Featuring a catchy banjo riff, this song is one that is constantly on repeat wherever I go.
3. Oceans — Seafret
Much like any other Seafret song, Oceans is beautiful, soft but powerful. The vocals in the opening line “I want you” are pleading and alluring. Halfway through the song, the bass drum kicks in and the suspense begins to build. At the end, the song ends again with just the vocals in a last cry.
2. Sleep On the Floor — The Lumineers
Sleep On The Floor is about running away, driving somewhere far away, and going on an adventure with a loved one. The words paint beautiful scenes of being lost and not having to worry about anything. The electric guitar plays a dotted rhythm and a tambourine is heard throughout the song, giving a nice addition to the music.
- Boardwalks — Little May
This is probably one of my favourite songs of all time. Boardwalks starts off with a soothing guitar solo that builds into the riff for the song. Throughout the song, there are two guitars being played simultaneously, intertwining and accompanying the soft vocals. What makes this song so great is how this simple acoustic single is able to invoke so many different feelings and accompany almost any mood. It is truly a masterpiece.
