Ahh summer, we all love it. At least I do! You know what else I love? Movies and music. 

So I thought, “Hey, why don’t I give my lovely readers a guided list through my favorite pieces of artistic works that I think encapsulate the perfect summer vibes to heighten their summertime experience this year?” So, walk with me through the first-ever edition of Media Recs with Nick.   

Let’s start with the movies. Now, I love movies, so this list was hard for me to narrow down to just five, but I think I found the perfect mix.  

1. “Call Me By Your Name” is a heartbreakingly beautiful film about summer loves and the sadness of losing them after spending months of being in love with them. The film takes place in Northern Italy in the summer of 1983 and stars Timothée Chalamet. 
2. “The Sandlot” is a classic family film that still transcends the test of time after 30 years. It’s a great movie to watch with anyone who enjoys coming-of-age films about young boys. Even if you don’t like baseball, it’ll be a fun watch to add to your summer break agenda. 
3. “Mamma Mia!” is the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name. It features songs written by the band ABBA. The film stars Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep in a musical comedy sure to brighten your mood. 
4. “Stand By Me” is considered one of the best coming-of-age films of all time. It follows four boys searching for the body of a missing local boy in the summer of 1959. It stars Will Wheaton, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Feldman and the late River Phoenix.  
5. Last on my list of perfect movies, I have the Disney Channel Original, “Teen Beach Movie” with Ross Lynch and Maia Mitchell. It’s a childhood staple of mine that’s still a great time even now. 

Now, let’s add some songs to your summer drive playlist! 

1. First up, I have “California Gurls” by Katy Perry. This upbeat pop song is sure to get you dancing and drinking margaritas on the beach.  
2. “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift is a wonderfully welcomed addition to a summer party. Now, I know Taylor is everywhere, but trust me when I say that this is one song you don’t want to skip this summer. 
3. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles has still remained one of the most relevant songs from the classic rock band since its release in 1969. This is a family-friendly tune set tailor-made for your perfect summer day. 
4. “Summer Nights” from “Grease” is one of the first songs I think of when I hear the word “summer.” Not just because it’s in the title, but because it fully encapsulates summer love and fun. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John shine in this 1978 classic. 
5. Lastly, I have “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey. It’s a vibey song, which Del Rey is a specialist in, that most of us know. She creates a song that is made for the more solemn summer nights, whatever that may be. The song is just a look into the countless number of summer playlist-worthy songs Del Rey has on her discography. 

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into what media I’ll be consuming this summer, and I highly recommend you do, too! Now there are so many more movies and songs perfectly crafted to cater to your ideal summer day, but that’s a story for another day. So shine bright, my dear readers, and have a great summer.

Nick Keller is an opinion writer. Contact him at [email protected].