No offense to the other seasons or anything, but summer is really the time when music gets to shine. Bowhere is this more true than by the ocean, so why not set yourself up for summer right with a 2016 Beach Party Playlist? Because of the warm temperatures, you can fling open doors and windows and share your playlist with the whole street, causing impromptu sing-alongs and dance parties to crop up as if by magic. The beach is the perfect place to blast your favorite tunes, because there are so many different levels of party you can hit in the same location.
Maybe you're nestled down in the sand with a healthy layer of SPF and a cold drink, just wanting to nod along behind your sunglasses. Maybe you're up and about, dancing in the sand and making friends with the inhabitants of a nearby towel. Or maybe you're frolicking around in the waves like the beautiful little mermaid baby you are. Regardless, you're gonna want a soundtrack to your shenanigans, and I have just the thing. It's a collection of 16 songs that I think will hit your beach vibes right in the sweet spot, and keep you fresh and cool and feeling good all day long. I recommend pairing it with an ice cold lemonade and plenty of dips in the water.
1. "All Night" — Chance The Rapper
Just try listening to this and not shaking your butt around, I dare you.
2. "Too Good" — Drake Featuring Rihanna
The steamy chemistry between Drizzy and RiRi is the perfect amount of heat to bring to a beach jam.
3. "Boyfriend" — Tegan and Sara
It's the bouncy track about the complicated, confusing relationship that we've always wanted but never knew how to ask for.
4. "Treat You Better" — Shawn Mendes
This one's perfect for when you're making eyes at that dude who's been crushing it at the beach volleyball game. Go join in and get a little sandy together, why don't you?
5. "Can't Stop The Feeling!" — Justin Timberlake
I got this feeling inside my bones... that this is gonna be the song of the summer.
6. "Don't Mind" — Kent Jones
Hey, listen, we all need that one mindless track that brings to mind Miami clubs and celebrating your bomb-ass body, and this is it.
7. "Side To Side" — Ariana Grande Featuring Nicki Minaj
With this and "Bang Bang," every time these two collaborate from now on, I want to be the first to hear about it, because their music together improves literally every party.
8. "Lush Life" — Zara Larsson
I don't know if I've ever heard a song that's put me more in the mood for a slushy drink out of a pineapple and bowls and bowls of guacamole.
9. "This Is What You Came For" — Rihanna And Calvin Harris
Come for the sun, but stay for the dope sing-alongs to this jam on Snapchat. This is literally what you came for.
10. "If It Ain't Love" — Jason Derulo
Is it OK if Jason Derulo is my secret crush, and that, when this song plays, I imagine he's the one rubbing sunscreen onto my shoulders? Cool, thanks for keeping my secret.
11. "Me Too" — Meghan Trainor
The perfect, catchy antidote to all the impossible pressure to have a perfect summer body, whatever that means.
12. "Close" — Nick Jonas Featuring Tove Lo
I'm thinking we put this one on as the sun is going down, right when a lesser party would be ending... but this one is just get started.
13. "All In My Head (Flex)" — Fifth Harmony Featuring Fetty Wap
Consider this an invitation to initiate a walk-off with all your friends and strut your stuff up and down the beach until the cows (gulls?) come home.
14. "One Dance" — Drake Featuring WizKid And Kyla
All he's asking for is one dance. You've been reading that beach novel for long enough, so time to hop up and groove it out.
15. "Cake By The Ocean" — DNCE
Cake? Ocean? Joe Jonas? Enormously catchy song? Honestly, where do I sign? This combination is everything I've ever wanted.
16. "Bang My Head" — David Guetta Featuring Sia And Fetty Wap
Whoops. I listened to this song, and I can practically feel the sun-daze and little grains of sand sticking to my skin. It's like summer in a song.
Now go forth, young ones, and enjoy your summer. We've given you all the tools you need... the rest is up to you.
