'Think Too Much' by Hannah Jadagu
I know we’re all tempted to blast ‘Lush Life’ by Zara Larsson when it’s sunny out, but I have something better! What I love most about sunny days is the slight peaceful laziness they make you feel. My pick for the best song for a sunny day is ‘Think Too Much’ by Hannah Jadagu. The song makes you feel like you are languidly sunbathing on a beach or in the park for a picnic, just basking in the sun and enjoying the hint of summer peeking through the clouds. It’s got that summer buzz but with a bit of calm to it.
- Dhwani Masand
'Mariposa' by Peach Tree Rascals
Whenever I hear this song I’m immediately transported to a field of flowers, running in slow motion, with rays of sunlight beaming down. This song feels like a good day out with friends, filled with giggles, spontaneity, and your soon-to-be new favorite candid photos. There’s just such a whimsical and bouncy feel to this song, and it feels like a little treat when it comes on. The cute chimes in the back are like a little pick me up that reminds you that ~ding~ today’s a good day! A satisfying saxophone solo closes out the tune, feeling like the sun is setting but in a way that you know you used the daylight the best you could.
- Taylor Roth
'Intrigue in Tangiers' by the Chameleons
‘Intrigue in Tangiers’, the third track from The Chameleons’ brilliant What Does Anything Mean? Basically, is the perfect soundtrack for the tail-end of sunny days. As dusk falls on those days when "the skies are glass", a lovely evening awaits, but so does that quiet twinge of anxiety of trying to make the most of such rare, beautiful weather. Mark Burgess cries "I just have to make the evenings last / They’re always flashing past", his voice heavy with the melancholy of fleeting moments. These days are wonderful yet always slipping away. The shifts between busy and calm instrumentation on this track draw out all these feelings, perfectly capturing the essence of a summer evening and the bittersweet feeling we all know.
- Jack Stephenson
'The Loneliest Time' by Carly Rae Jepsen feat. Rufus Wainwright
You might know Carly Rae Jepsen's most recent pop hit 'The Loneliest Time' from its briefly TikTok-famous bridge ("I'm comin' back for you, baby!"), but this delightful album closer is well worth a full listen. Few artists can nail sugary, sunshine-filled girly pop like CRJ, and here she's on top form with soaring strings and a glossy disco flair. "In the morning sun hits the water / Is this Nirvana?" she sings in delicious harmony with Rufus Wainwright in the finale, epitomising the overblown rush of hopefulness we all feel at that first appearance of spring. It's over-the-top, a little cheesy and clichéd, and it's also pristine, vintage pop.
- Bertie Kirkwood
'Sorted for E's & Wizz' by Pulp
As the chilly, dark nights wane away and in comes the sun, it’s time to introduce a brand new set of songs into your regular mix. Regarding summer tunes, Pulp always know how to produce that feel-good vibe while hiding the most haunting lyrics. Amongst the depths of their discography is the brilliant ‘Sorted for E’s & Wizz’, a typical festival hit. Recorded live, it further embraces the summer tones in the melody. With its driving drums and Jarvis Cocker’s unique voice, it is the perfect Britpop tune to soundtrack a British summer. From afternoons spent at the beach to those warm barbecue days, it is ideal to stick on and sing along to.
- Rebecca Martin
'Keep It Together' by Pip Blom
This stellar track from Dutch indie band Pip Blom is arguably the epitome of sunny days. As the weather reaches double digits and we are reminded that blue skies exist after all, this song gets me back into the sunny groove, nudging me to feel like I can leave the house again without immediately wanting to go back inside. This breezy summer song perfectly soundtracks the feeling of basking in Newcastle's apricity as the sun gets brighter and the days get longer.
- Olivia Fee