We recommend: The perfect pool party playlist
Editor’s note: We’ve put together the definitive list of pool party bops—some iconic, some thoda hatke, and with a little K-pop icing on the cake. As usual, these tracks will be added to splainer’s Spotify.
- ‘Please Please Please’ by Sabrina Carpenter: One of the biggest breakout hits by the breakout ex-Disney star, what’s not to love?
- ‘Shalala Lala’ by Vengaboys: Eurodance and pool parties go together like cheese and crackers, but save ‘Brazil’ for the pandals!
- ‘Despacito’ by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee: A mega viral Latin bop that needs no introduction.
- ‘Ice Cream’ by MIKA: The Beirut-born Brit burst onto the scene in 2007 with hits like ‘Grace Kelly’, ‘Love Today’ and ‘Relax’. But we’re interested in this 2019 slice of synths and his signature falsetto.
- ‘Summer Sun’ by Matt Berry: Did you know that the star of ‘What We Do In The Shadows’ and ‘The I.T. Crowd’ is also an accomplished musician? Well, now you do. He’s a proponent of psychedelic with some jazz influences, but his pop sensibilities shine through.
- ‘Freed From Desire’ by Gala: Another ‘90s Eurodance mainstay—revived by football fans in recent years, but also a perfect poolside fit.
- ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ by Shaboozey: Now for some country rap—this monster hit lends itself to a more relaxed vibe, making for a nice tempo change.
- ‘Paper Planes’ by M.I.A.: Built on masterful sampling of ‘Straight to Hell’ by The Clash and intense political satire, M.I.A.’s decision to rap in downtempo creates yet another reliable party bop.
- ‘Brimful of Asha - Norman Cook Remix’ by Cornershop: The British outfit is known for meshing desi folk—harkening back to their Punjabi roots—with indie rock influences. But for this playlist, it’s a remix of their biggest hit that’s appropriately quirky and fun.
- ‘Love Foolosophy’ by Jamiroquai: Another British band, but this one’s more funk, jazz and disco. Just get sucked in by that central riff.
- ‘Honey Boy’ by Purple Disco Machine: Sticking with a bit of disco, this German DJ is perhaps best considered as Eurodance with a contemporary software update!
- ‘One Kiss’ by Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa: Another hit you likely know already. For the uninitiated, it’s a sister genre of the European house scene with an ‘80s dance pop flavour and Dua’s Midas touch.
- ‘Eat Your Man’ by Dom Dolla & Nelly Furtado: An addictive cocktail of Latin pop and EDM, this is less throwback Nelly and more her continued pushing of genre boundaries far beyond her ‘Loose’ era.
- ‘Take My Breath’ by The Weeknd: Peak ‘80s with a modern production sheen. The Canadian popstar sometimes veers into self-indulgence, but when he’s on it, the resulting grooves are infectious and unmatched
- ‘Safe And Sound’ by Capital Cities: A fun synth wave beat with an earwormy hook that rivals some of MGMT’s best work.
- ‘Lazy Lamhe’ from ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’: Okay you can’t hear this song and not think about pool (see: music video here)! This is the perfect track to get the pool groove going!
- ‘Something Something’ by Mika Singh: Any 90s kid would recognise this gem of a song! It was literally our pool anthem!
- ‘In Too Deep’ by Sum 41: This one’s for the alternative pop-rock fans! One of Sum 41’s best songs—also pictured in a pool (see music video here).
- ‘You Need To Calm Down’ by Taylor Swift: What is summer without a casual drop of Taylor Swift!
- ‘Havana (ft. Young Thug)’ by Camila Cabello: This playlist would have been incomplete this summer essential!
- Cake By The Ocean by DNCE: Who remembers Joe Jonas’ triumphant return to mainstream pop music?!
- ‘for the girls’ by Hayley Kiyoko: Summer’s for the girls and they gays (and heterofolks)!
- Beauty And A Beat (ft. Nicki Minaj) by Justin Bieber: The music video for this pool party song literally had us in a chokehold!
- We Like To Party by BIGBANG: The veteran K-pop group literally laid the cultural foundation for all the other Korean groups to follow. This track has everything—hip hop, rap and electronic pop beats.
- 'Ko Ko Bop’ by EXO: Anyone who’s fallen into the K-pop rabbit hole would know EXO are the masters of pop.
- Gogo by BTS: Of course, BTS had to make the list. This song can be interpreted in a few ways—including satire or irony—reflecting the mindset of "YOLO" (You Only Live Once).
- ISLAND by WINNER: This is K-pop X house music that talks about enjoying life on a private island—without the restrictions of society.
- Alcohol-Free by TWICE: Twice is the biggest K-pop groups in the industry and makes girly pop but highly addictive tracks such as this one!
PS: Stand-out tracks from the discographies have been added to splainer’s pool party playlist on Spotify!
