I’ve been swallowed by suburbia, it’s got nothing left to give. We sing the same old song. Walk that line. They want you to think you think too much. It’s funny and it’s ironic. But, I won’t let my freedom rot in hell. Nothing is going to stop me but divine intervention. Old habits die screaming.
The world spins madly on. But, when the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome. Rejoice as summer should, chase away sorrows by living. Try to love, though you may fail. I wish you would. A life without love is like a year without summer.
It’s a beautiful day to be alive. I wish I was traveling on a freeway. If you want a coin flip road trip anywhere you want to go, just call it. There’s a place for us. We can go if you’d like to.
You hold my hand and it’s better than love. How you make me smile. I feel like a slow dance. Drowning in the dopamine. We could burn until the flame turns blue. Some of the best memories are made in flip-flops.
Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. The best ones come right out of nowhere. Breathe in the air. It’ll get sweeter. Cherish the breath. We can dance if we want to. I know you know the movie song.
Here comes my girl. Take me back where I belong. I’m standing on my own two feet. I knew I’d see this other part of me. I’m rested and I’m ready to begin. I’d do anything to hold on to this moment.
The claim is on you. The devil can’t get your soul. Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows. There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. When the time is right, don’t hold back.
This thing is happening to us all. Can I get an amen?
2025 The Summer Playlist – Apple Music
2025 The Summer Playlist – Spotify
Read Next
Endnotes are in the same order as the sentences they refer to.
[i] Caitlyn Smith, “Downtown Baby,” High & Low, Monument Records, 2023.
[ii] The Lumineers, “Same Old Song,” Automatic, Dualtone Records, 2025.
[iii] Parker McCollum, “What Kinda Man,” Parker McCollum, UMG Nashville, 2024.
[iv] Kassi Valazza, “Your Heart’s a Tin Box,” From Newman Street, Fluff & Gravy Records, 2025.
[v] Sabrina Carpenter, “Please Please Please,” Short n’ Sweet, Island Records, 2024.
[vi] Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Freedom,” Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, 2016.
[vii] Jason Mraz, “I’m Yours,” We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., Atlantic Records, 2008.
[viii] Taylor Swift, “The Black Dog,” The Tortured Poets Department, Republic Records, 2024.
[ix] The Weepies, “The World Spins Madly On,” Say I Am You, Nettwerk Records, 2006.
[x] Rudolph, Wilma. “Wilma Rudolph: Against All Odds.” New York: Putnam Publishing Group, 1977.
[xi] Marr, Melissa. (No specific source available.)
[xii] Jack Van Cleaf featuring Zach Bryan, “Rattlesnake,” Rattlesnake – Single, Dualtone Music Group, 2025.
[xiii] Tyler Hubbard, “Wish You Would,” Strong, EMI Nashville, 2024.
[xiv] Swedish Proverb. (No specific source available.)
[xv] Mike Posner, “Beautiful Day,” Beautiful Day – Single, Arista Records, 2024.
[xvi] Counting Crows, “Time and Time Again,” August and Everything After, Geffen Records, 1993.
[xvii] Kelsey Hart, “Life With You,” Life With You, Curb Records, 2024.
[xviii] Indigo Girls, “Romeo and Juliet,” Rarities, Epic Records, 2005.
[xix] Between Friends, “Bruise,” I Love My Girl, She’s My Boy, 10K Projects, 2023.
[xx] Griffin House, “Better Than Love,” Flying Upside Down, Nettwerk America, 2007.
[xxi] Everything Is Recorded (Richard Russell), “Losing You,” Temporary, XL Recordings, 2025.
[xxii] Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, “Tightrope,” Medicine, Magnolia Music, 2015.
[xxiii] The Lumineers, “Same Old Song,” Automatic, Dualtone Records, 2025.
[xxiv] The Paper Kites, “Til the Flame Turns Blue,” On the Corner Where You Live, Wonderlick Entertainment, 2023.
[xxv] Elmore, Kellie. “Magic in the Backyard: Poems & Musings.” Independently published, 2012.
[xxvi] Nat King Cole
[xxvii] Brandy Clark, “The Best Ones,” Brandy Clark, Warner Records, 2023.
[xxviii] Xavier Rudd, “Follow the Sun,” Spirit Bird, Salt.X Records, 2012.
[xxix] Nic D, “If Heaven Had a Front Porch,” If Heaven Had a Front Porch – Single, FRDi Entertainment, 2025.
[xxx] Xavier Rudd, “Follow the Sun,” Spirit Bird, Salt.X Records, 2012.
[xxxi] Men Without Hats, “The Safety Dance,” Rhythm of Youth, Statik Records, 1982.
[xxxii] Indigo Girls, “Romeo and Juliet,” Rarities, Epic Records, 2005.
[xxxiii] Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Here Comes My Girl,” Damn the Torpedoes, Backstreet Records, 1979.
[xxxiv] Chase McBride, “The Feeling Is All Gone,” Hello Ramona – Single, Independent, 2019.
[xxxv] Queen, “Another One Bites the Dust,” The Game, EMI Records, 1980.
[xxxvi] G Flip, “About You,” About Us, Future Classic, 2019.
[xxxvii] The Avett Brothers, “February Seven,” The Carpenter, American Recordings, 2012.
[xxxviii] Anderson East, “I’d Do Anything,” Worthy, Rounder Records, 2025.
[xxxix] AC/DC, “Moneytalks,” The Razors Edge, Atco Records, 1990.
[xl] Brandi Carlile, “Hold Out Your Hand,” By the Way, I Forgive You, Low Country Sound and Elektra Records, 2018.
[xli] Keller, Helen. “Let Us Have Faith.” 1940.
[xlii] Thaxter, Celia Laighton. “Poem: A Grateful Heart.”
[xliii] Griffin House, “When the Time Is Right,” Flying Upside Down, Evening Records (Nettwerk America), 2007.
[xliv] Crowded House, “Something So Strong,” Crowded House, Capitol Records, 1986.
[xlv] The War and Treaty, “Can I Get An Amen,” Plus One, UMG Recordings, 2025.