What does a summer jam consist of? Is it the hypnotic melodies, hot beats that get stuck in the head, or songs that make the windows go down and arms fly around outside of the car? In reality it is all of these things that make a summertime hit. Summertime is not the easiest thing to describe with words, that is why music is so important. From doing the #shiggychallenge to getting in your feels with Juice Wrld on his Goodbye and Good Riddance album, this summer had a broad spectrum of music for all moods. Here are the best songs to memorialize the summer of 2018:

10. Juice Wrld “All Girls Are the Same”

This track is the perfect example of how music has changed over the years. It shines a light into the problems Juice Wrld is having with his love life,  unlike several years ago when rap music was dominated by invulnerable tough guys such as 50 Cent and Tech N9ne. With lyrics like “I just want real love guess it’s been a minute” and “tell me what’s the secret to love I don’t get it,”  Juice Wrld shows a level of vulnerability that is relatable, that was impossible to find just a few years ago.

9. Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert “Drowns the Whiskey”

It seems as if Jason Aldean is someone who always has a great song for the summer. Whether it was “chilling on a dirt road” with friends listening to “Dirt Road Anthem”, or waiting on the “six string circus to come to town” in “Lights Come On”, Jason Aldean knows how to make a good summertime hit. “Drowns the Whiskey” does not escape Aldean’s genius as an artist. With lyrics that cut deep into the problems Jason Aldean is experiencing with getting over his ex, this song is the perfect example of how something as painful as a breakup can be used to create a song that overwhelms human emotions.

8. Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign, 6LACK “OTW”

Khalid has arguably one of the greatest voices right now, so when 6LACK and Ty Dolla $ign are added to a track with him, it is bound to be good. With 6LACK’s soft rap and Ty Dolla $igns unmistakable voice, this song was bound to be a hit. This song also has the kind of beat that gets stuck in the head, whether it is the first time or the hundredth time listening to it.

7. Post Malone “Better Now”

There was much anticipation for the release of Post Malone’s new album, so when it did release,  the album gained many listeners instantly. While there were many songs on this album that excelled, none of them came close to “Better Now.” In this song Malone tells a story of his ex thinking that she is “better now” since she is not with him. This song is a great song to ride around and listen to with the windows down on a hot summer day.

6. XXXTENTACION “Changes”

Following his assassination, XXXTENTACION’s music saw a resurgence of listeners across the world. Whether it was his fans who were listening to him or people that had never even heard of him before, the number of listeners XXXTENTACION’s music received was overwhelming.

5. Drake and Lil Baby “Yes Indeed”

Drake is an artist that can not seem to keep his nose out of the music charts during the summer, and “Yes Indeed” is no exception to this. This song brings a beat that will get the body moving right off the bat and the kind of lyrics that are easily remembered. This song is perfect to play with the radio will all the way up and the windows down on a summer night with friends.

4. Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Jay Balvin- “I Like It”

With Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s hit “Despacito” that ruled the summer charts last year, Cardi B must have taken note. With latin roots and loads of spanish lyrics one can clearly tell that Cardi is observant about what is going on in the music industry. What makes this song Cardi’s is her constantly bragging the whole time about being rich, having expensive jewelry, and signing record deals. This is the perfect example of a summer song because with its rap style-sala music it easily gets stuck in the head, and once it is in there, it is hard to get out.

3. Juice Wrld “Lucid Dreams”

In this song Juice Wrld shows a whole other side of his problems with women. In this track Juice Wrld is not talking about what is wrong with women, but what is wrong with him and getting over his ex. This song has lyrics like “I still see your shadows in my room”, and “you were my everything thoughts of a wedding ring.” With lyrics like this, it is really easy to get inside of his train of thought making one really feel the pain the poor guy is going through.

2. Bryce Vine, Wale “Drew Barrymore”

This song is all about Bryce Vine’s admiration of a beautiful woman who are the next Drew Barrymore. This song has some of the most clever lyrics in the last decade with lines like “These rappers I devour You stand in my direction this Santa Clarita Diet”, and also “Cause you’re the next Drew Barry and I want more.”  This song shows Vine’s clever lyricism that is getting harder and harder to find.

1. Drake “In My Feelings”

With hundreds of thousands of people doing the shiggy over the summer, Drake once again has made a summer hit that topped almost every chart. This song is one that is recognizable just by hearing a little snippet. Drake is once again an artist who can not seem to not make a summer hit so that is why “In My Feelings” is no surprise. With it’s semi repetitive lyrics and fun beat,  it truly is the perfect summer song.

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