18) "Fight Song," Rachel Platten
Listen, sometimes when a gal needs a pick-me-up to cry/dance/feel, she will listen to a Kelly Clarkson song that's dominating the airwaves. When there isn't one to be found, you have to find the next best thing. In this case, it's Rachel Platten's "Fight Song." Platten doesn't have quite have the soaring vocals to match Clarkson, but Platten invokes the same tone, vibe, and emotion. And even though the song came out way back in February, it's getting a second and bigger life thanks to Taylor Swift inviting Platten to perform her song during the 1989 world tour:
17) "Underneath Neon Lights," the Chemical Brothers feat. St. Vincent
This song is so different and hypnotizing. I have no idea what it's about, but I can't get the beat nor critical (and quirky) music darling St. Vincent's haunting vocals out of my head. It's by far the oddest song on this countdown—what works about it is that it transports you by taking you out of your head and just moving to the rhythm. In my book, that is the No. 1 requirement for a summer song:
16) "Shut Up and Dance," Walk the Moon
This song is everywhere—in commercials, in montages on reality-TV shows, in movie trailers—and I think I'm mostly OK with it. Using a pounding percussion and guitar riff that's similar to the U2 trademark sound, Walk the Moon has created an infectious song. And, sure, some have complained that the song is overexposed, but how can you be mad at a song that makes you smile this much?
15) "Honey, I'm Good," Andy Grammer
A song that celebrates monogamy?! Is this 2015 or 1915? Excuse me for being so stunned, but it seems like every other song is about hooking up in the club or trying to steal someone else's boo, so it's a pleasant surprise to hear such a pleasant tune about undying love. Plus the video is so incredibly cute and even features an appearance from Jane the Virgin's Justin Baldini. Hubba hubba:
