A playlist is a sacred thing. A playlist can make or break a moment. A playlist will set the tone for the day ahead, turn an awkward silence into a bustling room, or set the stage for an incredibly unprompted, but necessary, dance break.
Something I pride myself on is my ability to create and cultivate niche playlists. Examples include: “Playlist for when you’re driving home from college and/or in the rain,” “Playlist for a friend group crossover hangout,” “Playlist for when you didn’t want to go for a run, but you did it anyway.”
So, as we enter August, I wanted to create a playlist that echoes the sounds and feelings of summer. I am calling it “A theater playlist for when you need a little more summer”
This is a theater playlist that you can listen to at a cast pool party, a long road trip or in your headphones on the ride to school in the morning. I chose these songs not just because they are thematically related, but because they are the perfect blend of sunshine, fleeting moments, and carefree feelings.
This is a collection of summer songs from musicals AND movie-musicals (I mean, how could I not include some High School Musical 2). These song selections are meant to keep the summer heat, and Camp Broadway vibes alive all year long.
PLAYLIST FOR WHEN YOU NEED A LITTLE MORE SUMMER
- Dancing Queen — ABBA
- Waterloo — ABBA
- Summer Nights — Grease
- Fabulous — High School Musical 2
- You Are The Music in Me — High School Musical 2
- Cruisin’ For a Bruisin’ — Teen Beach Movie
- In Summer — Frozen
- June Is Bustin’ Out All Over — Carousel
- Too Darn Hot — Kiss Me Kate
- I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy — South Pacific
- We Dance — Once on This Island
- Mama Will Provide — Once on This Island
- When You’re Home — In the Heights
- Carnival Del Barrio — In the Heights
- Home All Summer (feat. Marc Anthony) — In the Heights Movie
- A Summer in Ohio — The Last 5 Years
- The Beauty Is — The Light in the Piazza
- Times Are Hard for Dreamers — Amélie
- Here I Am — Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
- Top of the World — Tuck Everlasting
- Livin’ It Up on Top — Hadestown
- Beyond the Sea — Just in Time
- There’s No Cure Like Travel — Anything Goes
- Anything Goes — Anything Goes
- Live in Living Color — Catch Me If You Can
- Sugar Cloud — Ride the Cyclone
- Kiss the Girl — The Little Mermaid
I curated this playlist to be perfect for a windows-down singalong, or an evening watching the sunset with friends. The order is meant to take you through a summer day, bring the heat, and keep the positivity with you even after the music ends. And the best part? This playlist is available for you to listen to on our Youtube.
I loved receiving all of your recommendations via Instagram (special shout-out to the Ride The Cyclone rec, I’d never even heard of this musical before!) Hearing from you all is how this blog will become a strong community, so keep the inspiration coming!
Happy listening, and happy end-of-summer!
More next week,
Jenny
