Historically, I’ve hated summer. Sticky heat and festering mosquitoes has made it tortuous for me. With the absence of school, I forget to make plans with my friends—leaving me miserable, physically and socially. But recently, I now have seen the advantage of summer vacation, leading to a summer filled with adventures. Sure the heat is still unbearable, but at least I’m attempting to make the best out of a bad situation. Here are four songs emulating the importance of community and interconnection during summer. 

American Teenager- Ethel Cain 

This song is the third and final track from Ethel Cain’s debut album, Preacher’s Daughter. Cain said of the song in a statement with Pitchfork, “They make you think [the ‘Teenager American’ is] achievable and that if nothing else, you should at least die trying. What they don’t tell you is that you need your neighbor more than your country needs you. I wrote this song as an expression of my frustration with all the things the ‘American Teenager’ is supposed to be but never had any real chance of becoming.” 

I think this song reflects the current state of America, now I think it’s fair to say it’s a time where community is important. A big aspect of being a teenager is the apparent freedom you are blessed with before you are shipped off into the adult world.  

My favorite lyric that I think resembles the original point phrased by Cain is, “Say what you want, but say it like you mean it/ With your fists for once, a long cold war/ With your kids at the front/ Just give it one more day, then you’rе done, done,” the chorus continues, “I do what I want, crying in the blеachers/ And I said it was fun/ I don’t need anything from anyone/ It’s just not my year/ But I’m all good out here.” 

I think these lyrics do two things very well, for one they show the individualism that is present in American culture but also show the blinding fun of just messing around with your friends. Summer at least for me is an escape from the academic and social pressures of school, that doesn’t mean these fears disappear but are simply pushed off till September. This song reminds me of the false sense of freedom and excitement summer brings before the cycle restarts.

Time to Pretend- MGMT

This song perfectly encapsulates summer for me. A cute story about the song that MGMT stated to Music Encyclopedia Genius that the music was inspired by a praying mantis they had in their house. She laid eggs and then died. The band then put her eggs in a model pirate ship. Once the babies were born apparently they loved to dance.

The first lyric that sticks out to me is, “I’m feelin’ rough, I’m feelin’ raw, I’m in the prime of my life/ Let’s make some music, make some money, find some models for wives.”  I think this song does really well emulating what summer feels like for me at least. Summer is often characterized for me as an endless journey of finding things to do. I have a feeling that I’m wasting my summer if I’m not constantly on the move.

Another lyric I particularly like is, “This is our decision, to live fast and die young/ We’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun.” This goes with the other lyric where you’re chasing the (metaphorical) next high. In my experience summer can either be spent in solitude or spent with friends and filled with adventures. I much prefer the continuous search for fun then accepting the boredom and loneliness of summer.

Vacation- Florist

This song follows the singer as she mourns her childhood. Through her lyrics, she paints a picture of a colorful, happy past that at the time, she took for granted. She reflects on the little things she misses: family vacations, bike rides, roller coasters with her dad and swimming pools. Now that she’s older, the future is more daunting and not as calm as it was when she was younger.

My favorite lyric is, “’cause I’ve got it all, got it all mistaken/ For a meaningful life and a fun family vacation/ Like when I used to ride rollercoasters with my dad/ When a swimming pool in a hotel was a gift from God.” The singer feels as if she’s taken these things for granted given she’s older now and everything has changed. At one point she felt as if these moments were all that mattered, but as she grew so has her perspective. This is something I feel reflected in my own life especially as senior year comes to a close. This is my last summer before college which has brought minor dread into my life as I regret taking the little moments like family road trips for granted. I think this song does good realizing you can’t go back in time but you can make the best of your present, something I try to reflect on in my life. There’s no point in dwelling on what you did or didn’t do if you’re not actively trying to improve your present. 

Fast Car- Tracy Chapman

This song is extremely nostalgic for me. Chapman goes through describing a dream to escape her current decision. Even in her seemingly depressing situation she finds solace in her car. I don’t have a fast car. My car starts shaking wildly if I go over 70 but taking comfort in a car ride and the people around you is a sentiment I can relate to. 

Representing this is the chorus “So I remember when we were drivin’, drivin’ in your car/ Speed so fast, I felt like I was drunk/ City lights lay out before us/ And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder/ And I had a feeling that I belonged/ I had a feelin’ I could be someone/ Be someone, be someone.” I spoke earlier about how summer is often filled with impulsive and spontaneous decisions spent with friends and family. I think this ties together all the songs prior with the build up of the song and chorus making it one of the best songs I’ve ever listened to.