As we near the end of the school year, the Emerald asked SHC students about the songs that soundtrack their summers. Here are a few of the tunes that get students ready for the summer months:
Song Spotlight: “Eye Know” by De La Soul
Released: March 3, 1989
Genre: Alternative hip-hop
“De La Soul’s music is so much fun!” — Arden Walsh ‘25
Formed by three high school friends in Amityville, New York, De La Soul’s sound is defined by off-beat interlude skits, irreverent in-jokes, and innovative sampling. Their 1989 debut, “3 Feet High and Rising,” pioneered alternative hip-hop and introduced the Native Tongues collective into the mainstream. In contrast to the abrasive, hypermasculine imagery present in hip hop at the time, De La Soul brought a fresh take on the genre, centered on playfulness, peace, afro-centricity, and what they called the D.A.I.S.Y. Age (an acronym for “da inner sound y’all). Emcees Posdnuos, Trugoy the Dove, and DJ Maseo excel not only as creators, but as curators. “Eye Know,” for example, weaves together elements from Otis Redding (whistle), Lee Dorsey (drums), The Mad Lads (guitar and horn), and Steely Dan (keyboard and vocal).
Song Spotlight: “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” by Chappell Roan
Released: September 22, 2023
Genre: Pop
“The song’s upbeat energy gets me ready for summer. I’m excited to listen to it while enjoying my vacation.” — Dana Sunga ‘28
“Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” is a campy celebration of queerness and self-discovery. In the first verse, Roan laments a Friday night spent with an impolite, poorly-dressed date in a manner reminiscent of 2000s teen movie voiceovers (“You know what they say,” she sighs theatrically). Rather than accepting mediocrity, she pivots into fantasy, extending a cosmic invitation to girls like her to leave the planet together. Roan embraces pop maximalism with layered vocals, punchy synths, and anthemic vocal delivery. In a recent instagram post, she described her unique approach to music and her image, writing, “Camp is camp. Pop is pop. I’m not taking myself or aesthetic seriously, because that’s no fun. I want to have fun.”
Song Spotlight: “California” by Joni Mitchell
Released: June 22, 1971
Genre: Folk
“‘California’ is my favorite Joni Mitchell song. It reminds me that I’m so lucky to live here.” —Ella Saeger ‘25
Joni Mitchell wrote “California” in the summer of 1970 while traveling across Europe. each verse chronicling time spent in a different country. She brings listeners along for the ride as she flits from France to Greece to Spain, all the while longing for her Laurel Canyon home. The song’s lyrics are conversational and rich with Mitchell’s signature wit and poetic detail. Accompanied by James Taylor on guitar, “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow on pedal steel guitar, and Russ Kunkel on drums and percussion, Mitchell presents a love letter to the Golden State.
Song Spotlight: “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain
Released: April 21, 2022
Genre: Alternative, Indie
“I love this song because it strikes the perfect balance between fun and introspective.” — Marcel Berkowitz ‘25
With an anthemic sound reminiscent of 1980s heartland rock, Ethel Cain’s “American Teenager” offers a critical examination of the patriotism it mimics. Lines about “another high school football team” and “the neighbor’s brother [coming] home in a box” suggest a generation grappling with inherited values that don’t fit their reality. Born in Perry, Florida to a Southern Baptist family, Cain understands the weight of this imagery firsthand. In an interview with Pitchfork, she stated, “Growing up, I was surrounded by visions of NASCAR, rock and roll, and being the one who would change everything…I wrote this song as an expression of my frustration with all the things the ‘American Teenager’ is supposed to be but never had any real chance of becoming.”
Compiled from your suggestions, here is the official Emerald playlist of Summer 2025. Get in the mood for summer with Bob Marley, Lorde, Doechii and more:
- “California” by Joni Mitchell
- “Death & Romance” by Magdalena Bay
- “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley
- “Ex-Factor” by Ms. Lauryn Hill
- “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn
- “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” by Chappell Roan
- “Ribs” by Lorde
- “Loose Garment” by MUNA
- “My Fun” by Suki Waterhouse
- “Drain Me!” by Towa Bird
- “Grapejuice” by Harry Styles
- “DENIAL IS A RIVER” by Doechii (Explicit)
- “Everything Is Embarrassing” by Sky Ferreira
- “Eye Know” by De La Soul
- “Losing You” by Solange
- “The Sound” by The 1975
- “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain
- “How Many Mics” by Fugees (Explicit)
- “Like Smoke” by Amy Winehouse, Nas (Explicit)
- “Kissing Lessons” by Lucy Dacus
- “Dreams” by Carol Ades
