With about a month of summer left, The Daily Texan compiled a list of songs to best encapsulate the late summer feeling and remind fellow Longhorns, whether vacationing, taking summer classes or simply taking time to relax, to savor the joys of the season before the fall semester starts.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
Nothing quite matches Katrina and the Waves’ 1983 debut album’s dopamine rush of a song. Summer exists as the “time to feel good!” Enjoy “walking on sunshine” because, before students know it, they will be walking on Speedway.
“Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys
Longhorns may not be experts on beach life, but any repressed dreams of Southern California surf vibes rise to the surface while listening to this classic summer hit. Instead of cruising with windows rolled down along the sunny Pacific Coast, throw on this beach rock jam while driving to a friend’s house with a saltwater pool.
“Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell
Just because Texas lacks the beachy atmosphere of California doesn’t mean the South does not hold its own summer charm. Campbell reminds us to treasure this little Southern paradise in this cheerfully countryfied cover of Allen Touissant’s original song, stirring up feelings of going out to see live music on a warm Austin night “free as a breeze.”
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
A feel-good 70s bop through and through, Withers writes of finding solace in a lover when life gets rough. Similarly, college students find solace from the turmoil of fall, winter and spring in our beautiful romance with summer. With every reminder that fall classes don’t start for another month, “I know it’s gonna be a lovely day.”
“End of the Earth” by Lord Huron
For outdoorsy college students, summer represents time spent backpacking across mountains, camping under the stars and making all their Instagram followers feel jealous. Lord Huron’s ambient instrumentals and poetic lyrics motivate listeners to stop doom scrolling and seek exploration before academic responsibility consumes students’ time.
“Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band feat. Jimmy Buffet
If roughing it out in the wild seems too intimidating, a foldout chair and a cold drink beside an oceanside paradise pose a pleasant alternative. Being “knee deep in the water somewhere” will cure all worries, according to this uplifting number by the professional vacationers and artists of Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffet. Kick back this summer and “put the world away for a minute.”
“Slow Down” by Laufey
Many say the best years of life happen at college — and college summers are no exception. Time seems to fly by faster than when things feel good, so take it from modern-jazz queen Laufey and “baby, slow down.”
