What’s your favorite song? It’s a question that some can answer right away while others have to sit down and really think about it. Music is a big deal! Back in the day, my friends and I used to take turns playing our favorite songs on the electronic jukebox at our favorite haunt, taking great care to make sure everyone listened and danced along with our pick.
Today, we have music just about everywhere, on the radio, record players, and streaming on our smartphones. In a matter of minutes, you can make a digital playlist to share without having to burn through your stack of blank CDs from Radio Shack. Gone are the days of painstakingly crafting those mix tapes for your friends. What an honor it was to have someone playing your creation in their CD or tape player (remember when cars had those?).
With summertime looking a little different this year, good tunes are a comforting thing we can all still turn to. We asked a few of our Aires team members what their favorite summer songs were and why they liked them. We think you’ll also enjoy this list at your next (socially distant) barbecue or solo summer activity.
For your listening pleasure, we’ve created a Spotify playlist with all of these songs. Check out what our team had to say about them below.
America – Ventura Highway: “I love a million songs, but what stands out the most is when I first moved to California, I got up early because I was still jet lagged and drove my rental convertible up to LA from Huntington Beach. I wanted to drive to Malibu and see the beach there. While I was making a turn on to Ventura Highway to get there, the song from America, ‘Ventura Highway’ came on. That song always reminds me of my five years in our West Coast office and was a beautiful start to my time out there.” – Jeff Wangler, President
Kenny Chesney – Summertime: “Kenny Chesney is the ultimate go-to for good summer music. This song was released the summer after I graduated college, and it takes me back to a lot of good times.” – Bobby Bartle, Director, Immigration and Legal Affairs
Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World: “I just remember those last days of school – so fun, so free, thinking you have the whole world ahead of you!” – Liz Boschert, Director, Real Estate Services
Sofi Tukker – Purple Hat: “It makes my heart happy.” – John Casuccio, Vice President, Central Region
Casting Crowns – Voice of Truth: “This song is very inspiring. I often put this on my road trip playlists to sing along with my family.” – Anand Diraviyam, Director, Technology Strategic Initiatives
The Isley Brothers – Summer Breeze: This song has always felt like an evening sitting on the beach as the sun goes down, the breeze balancing with the humidity as you spend time in quiet reflection. The Isley Brothers’ version takes the original up a notch, and it ‘makes me feel fine.’” – Kirk Gipson, Manager, Proposals
Cher – Believe: “This song always makes me smile, turn up the volume and fondly remember my younger days” – Pam Dunleavy, Vice President of Business Development
Jimmy Buffet – One Particular Harbor: “When I listen to it, it takes me back to the beach and reminds me to take a step back from business, breathe, and relax for moment.” – Laura Beron, Director, Contracts and Global Compliance
Panic! At the Disco – High Hopes: “This was my son’s walk-out song for his travel baseball team, so it will forever remind me of summer days at the ball field!” – Lauren Kearney, Director, Technology Operations
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime: “Fun song for summer – gets you in the mood to ‘sit back and unwind.’ Also, in the video they are having a backyard BBQ which this song also reminds me of – yum!” – Sheila McKell, Director, Marketing
The Vaccines – Wetsuit: “I think this is a great song about youth passing you by too quickly. It’s a reminder to slow down, enjoy the moment, and do the things that would fill your younger days with adventure! Sometimes, it’s ok to not take life so seriously and remember to have fun.” Andy Meadowcroft, Director, Regional Operations
Zac Brown Band ft. Jimmy Buffet – Knee Deep: “This song always makes me smile and appreciate the sunshine a little more. Plus, I can belt it out in my car – it keeps me in touch with my country roots!” – Joleen Lauffer, Executive Vice President
Black Crowes – She Talks to Angels: “One of my all-time favorites, regardless of the season. I particularly like the feeling of hearing it on a warm summer night, sitting outside and relaxing (hopefully with a martini – Hendricks, extra dirty!) – Jennifer Murr, General Manager, Gulf Coast Regional Office
Walk the Moon – Shut Up and Dance: “Just makes my heart feel good! It’s hard to be in a bad mood when this song is playing!” – Barb Overbay, Regional Operations Director
R.E.M. – It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine): “When there’s a bit of uncertainty in the world, this is the song of the summer.” – Brad Stevenson, Director, Global Procurement
The Strokes – Last Nite: “This song reminds me of moving from Connecticut to California…it was the first song that local bands covered a lot while sitting on a patio bar listening to music.” – Eric Tate, Vice President, East Region
The Eagles – Hotel California: “Perfect song for a summertime ride in the convertible after dinner to wind down.” – Leet Zwepink, Vice President, Aires Move Management
Otis Redding – (Sittin’ On) The Dock of The Bay: “This song reminds me of car trips with my dad as a kid with the windows down in his old New Yorker. We must have had a billion car singalongs to this one. Always a good one, no matter the season.” – Lauren McKenna, Proposal Writer
Queen – We are the Champions: Because we all are!