Nothing says summer like a good backyard barbecue or outdoor picnic. You’ve got your food, your drinks of choice, your good weather (or your partly cloudy weather if you’re in Aires’ hometown of Pittsburgh), and most important – your playlist. With COVID-19 vaccination rates on the rise, small gatherings are happening safely again and curating the perfect playlist to go with your nosh is critical to those reunions on the back deck.

Maybe you’re looking to belt out those timeless classics that every generation seems to know the words to, or maybe you’re just looking to dance your way out of quarantine. Either way, we’ve got you covered. We asked our PeopleX and Quality teams about their favorite backyard bop and have shared them with you below. (I’ve also thrown in my personal favorite.)

One Margarita – Luke Bryan: “This song has a summer vibe that is fun and lighthearted. It puts me in the mood for cookouts, swimming, and spending time with friends.”Adrienne Mould, Manager, Corporate Training

RITMO (Bad Boys for Life) – Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin: “This song always puts me in a good dancing mood.” – Alyce McLoughlin, Quality Assurance Coordinator

Listen to the Music – The Doobie Brothers: “Music can change your outlook. This tune makes me want to put my flip-flopped feet up and crack open a cold one.” – Rob O’ Donnell, Vice President, Organizational Development

No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley: “I love to channel the reggae vibes! We usually have Bob Marley on rotation, but I especially love the song No Woman No Cry. This song always makes me smile and reminds me of my days poolside in college in Arizona at ASU.”Leah Caputo, Manager, Payroll

God Bless the USA – Lee Greenwood: “A patriotic favorite that goes perfect with a hot dog, cold drink, and fun with friends.” – Melissa Bigelow, Team Lead, Quality

Living in America – James Brown: “The best cookin’-on-the-grill song ever! I like ‘em medium rare and by the end of this song, steaks are done! (Added plus – ‘Pittsburgh, PA’ is prominently mentioned; does it get any better?)” – Rob O’Donnell, Vice President, Organizational Development

Under the Boardwalk – The Drifters: “This was a staple song of my childhood. I think I played this cassette tape out listening to it so many times. It’s the perfect song to have on at a barbecue that encapsulates the sights, smells, and feeling of a good summer day.” – Lauren McKenna, Proposal Writer

In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry: “This song always makes it feel like summer at the pool when I was a kid.” – Laura May Carmack, Manager, Corporate Compliance & Quality

To listen to the full playlist on Spotify, click here.

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