June jams: 10 Songs you Have to Hear

As I'm starting this blog, I decided to go ahead and start a couple of monthly traditions! These will be under the tab, "Monthly Musts". The first of these "musts" will be in the music category! I love jamming out to all sorts of music, and I am often finding new (and sometimes old!) songs to listen to religiously. Even though I love a little bit of everything (seriously, my playlists will go from Christian to Broadway to Pop to Country all within a few skips), I think music is one of the best way to spread joy and I'd love to share my favorite tunes with others! Be sure to click on the titles of the songs to give them a listen. P.S., keep an eye peeled for bonus songs in my blurbs! Without further ado, let's start!

1. "No excuses" - meghan trainor

I feel like I can HEAR the sighs, but hear a girl out. Of course, Meghan Trainor is known for her hit "All About That Bass" that STILL gets stuck in our heads from time to time, but this artist has evolved y'all. Not only is it such a fun beat, but it really is a fun Summer anthem. My best friend and I have definitely been jamming to this in the car during half-price shake runs!

2. "No tears left to cry" - ariana grande

Speaking of Summer anthems and artist transformations, THIS is a jam. This song is so upbeat and talks about going through and battling through changes. It's not only a dance-y track that is the best for swimming parties or night drives, but it's an anthem with a message. Plus, when does Ariana Grande NOT have a song for the Summer?!

3. "Youngblood" - 5 seconds of summer

I have been a HUGE fan of this band ever since their first single "She Looks So Perfect", (you may have heard of it!) but they recently dropped their new album after 3 years. It has given me ALL THE LIFE and more, but I honestly still can't get over the second single release from this album ("Want You Back" is their first, and honestly tough for me to decide between which one to include! Be sure to give it a listen if you're intrigued, it's super good). It's such a unique sound for not only the band itself, but this generation in general. Not to mention that these guys all play their own instruments and write their own music, and still look 15/10 doing so!! 

4. "Take on me" - Pentatonix

I know, I know. These aren't the original artists. As much as I love Aha!, I honestly can't stop listening to this version. I LOVE Pentatonix, and although their new album is incredible (shameless plug!), I really love their Classics album, which is, you guessed it, where they cover classic songs. I don't know what it is about this particular cover, ("Can't Help Falling In Love" is also one I recommend!) but it's just so addicting to listen to. It helps that the song itself is so catchy!

5. "Famous" - Mason Ramsey

If you know at all who this is, you have all the right to laugh. However, you CANNOT deny that this song is SO GOOD. For those of you who have no idea who Mason Ramsey is, he is what the world knows as the "Walmart Yodeling Kid". If you have no idea what that is, do you read the news?! Basically, this 11-year-old boy was in a Walmart and yodeled "Lovesick Blues". It ended up going viral after it ended up on YouTube, and he quickly released this single. Honestly, he's a really good singer, and for an 11-year-old?! Y'all better give this a listen before cringing at the idea!

6. "Class of 2018 Medley" - Anthem Lights

As you may know, I am a member of the Class of 2018 and just recently graduated this May. This mini album came out just before graduation, and I listened to it on loop up until the day of graduation (and after, let's be real). If you haven't heard of Anthem Lights, that is a serious problem and I am so glad to be the one introducing you (seriously, just listen to their albums for a day, you'll be changed for the better). With songs like "I Will Remember You", "See You Again", and "Forever Young" in the mix, how could you not be emotional?! Definitely be sure to listen to this, and the whole Class of 2018 album while you're at it. 

7. "God is on the move" -7eventh Time Down

This is one of my FAVORITE worship songs of all time. It's not only so upbeat and happy, that positive message of God being on the move every day is so good to be reminded about. I love playing this in the car, while I'm getting ready, before bed, in the shower, literally anywhere and anytime. It instantly puts me in a good mood and I'm obsessed!

8. "Take it from an old man" - Dakin matthews and broadway cast of "waitress"

Here, my inner Broadway nerd is going to come out. I seriously am obsessed with Broadway (ask my mother, she can tell you all the information I spill to her about shows). However, "Waitress" has been one that I was half-heartedly into. Like, I liked it, and I knew four or five songs to heart, but I didn't sit down and listen to the soundtrack like I have done with several other shows. About a month ago, I was with who I like to call my Broadway buddy and we were watching "Waitress". Y'ALL, I CRIED. It's SO ridiculously good and I was so mad at myself for not listening to it's entirety sooner. However, the scene in which this song is in... it's just too beautiful and it's the most inspirational/heartbreaking song all at once. 

9. "this is me" - Keala Settle

Nope, definitely still not over my "The Greatest Showman" obsession, and I don't know if I ever will be. Even though I can probably write every lyric from the album by heart, something about this song STILL gives me chills when I hear it. Something about the lyrics and just accepting yourself for who you are makes me so happy, and I am still just so in awe of this movie musical. If you haven't watched it yet... WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?

10. "If i were a boy" - Beyonce

If you're at all familiar with the title of this song, then you know that this song was released almost 10 years ago. But if you've never listened to it or need to remind yourself what this song sounds like, please do yourself the favor and do it ASAP. Even though my 9 year old self was pretending heartbreak as I was jamming to these lyrics, my almost 18 year old self completely understand where Queen B was coming from!