Whether you’re enjoying the great outdoors, working hard at your day job, taking summer classes, or counting the days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, nothing beats some fun, catchy, or maybe even melancholy tunes.
Here are some tracks, summery and otherwise that our staff has been enjoying. Scroll down for a seasonal Spotify playlist that you can save and use to spice up your work day or upcoming get together.
Olivia Beaudry, Archivist
“Sangria Wine” by Jerry Jeff Walker from Viva Terlingua (1973)
A fun summer song by Texas country legend, Jerry Jeff Walker. Walker was friends with Jimmy Buffett, and you can hear the influences on each other with this song.
“Summertime Girl” by Aaron Watson from Real Good Time (2012)
A classic summer love fling song is not a new idea, but Aaron Watson puts his Texas twist on it.
“Authority Song” by John Mellencamp from Uh-Huh (1983)
Not really a summer song, but John Mellencamp tends to make me drive with the windows down and makes me think of summer. In fact, I almost did all Mellencamp songs for this year’s playlist.
“County Fair” by Chris LeDoux from Western Underground (1991)
Again, this is a classic summer love trope, but from a real-life cowboy who has worked the fence lines in the song and played many country fairs over the years.
“Used to Be” by Red Dirt Rangers from Oklahoma Territory (1996)
With Route 66 turning 100 this year and all the fun summer road trips, this song, written by Oklahoma red dirt legend, Tom Skinner, tells us how Route 66 used to be before the interstates came along.
Logan Dalton, Librarian
“Dance the Pain Away” by Haute & Freddy from Big Disgrace (2026)
Blessed with the Lady Gaga seal of approval, Haute and Freddy are definitely one of the breakout artists of 2026. Their circus clown-meets-medieval court aesthetic brings a sense of play to their lush synth heavy sound and heart-rending melodies. “Dance the Pain Away” is the first Haute and Freddy track I listened to, and it’s a cathartic anthem that makes me feel better every time I sing along to it.
“Go Away” by Weezer featuring Best Coast from Everything Will Be Alright in the End (2014)
Tik Tok is really annoying and addictive, but one positive thing about it is that it revives old, forgotten-ish songs and makes them hits like this delectable power pop anti-love song from Weezer’s 2014 album Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Rivers Cuomo and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino have gorgeous vocal chemistry making “Go Away’s” lyrics that much more heartbreaking.
“The Kids from Yesterday” by My Chemical Romance from Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)
I can’t believe that My Chemical Romance’s final studio album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is old enough to get their driver’s license this year. If Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge is bloody-minded autumn and The Black Parade is bleak midwinter, then Danger Days is nostalgic, wistful summer. In particular, “The Kids from Yesterday” is that last glimpse of the sun before it sets, reminding you of the good ol’ days with the help of an infectious drum and bass groove from John J. Miceli and Mikey Way and Jamie Muhoberac’s candy coated synths.
“Be the Girl” by Hemlocke Springs from The Apple Tree Under the Sea (2026)
Hemlocke Springs is an up and coming pop visionary whose songs hit at the sweet and sour spot between yearning, crying, and throwing up while evoking colorful religious and fruit imagery. “Be the Girl” is no exception with Hemlocke showcasing her diva-like vocals in a tale of transformation and identity building. Each key change she pulls off is like being transported into a different cotton candy reality.
“Jane Fonda” by Lombardy from Catch A Buzz, Not The Fuzz (2026)
“Jane Fonda” is a scuzzy, Beastie Boys-meets-garage rock tribute to the iconic activist and Barbarella star from local Nashville rockers, Lombardy as well as her frequent collaborator, the late Robert Redford. I can report back and say that this track successfully started a mosh pit at Skinny Dennis and is my 2nd favorite anti-bachelorette party anthem after Hayley Williams’ “Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party”.
Rachel Morris, Interim Director
“Get Drunk and Be Somebody” by Toby Keith from White Trash with Money (2005)
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult from Agents of Fortune (1976)
“Mercury Blues” by Alan Jackson from A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love) (1993)
“Abracadabra” by Steve Miller Band from Abracadabra (1982)
“My Way” by Riley Green from That’s Just Me (2026)
“(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash from Silver (1979)
What’s on your summer playlist? Feel free to chime in on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
-CPM Staff
The views expressed in this blog are the staff members‘ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Center for Popular Music and Middle Tennessee State University.