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The Best Songs of Summer 2016 and the Strains That Pair with Them Perfectly

Nicolle Callier

Summer is coming to an end, and while it’s almost time to hang up that hammock and start packing to return home from vacay or back to college, we couldn’t say goodbye to the season’s beautiful weather and clear skies without reflecting on this summer’s best songs. Looking to Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, we compiled our list of the most popular jams this summer that dominated radio airwaves, nightclubs, and practically every social gathering you attended this summer. Enjoy a playlist of the summer’s best songs alongside our suggested strain pairings.

1. “One Dance”

Drake feat. WizKid & Kyla

Strain Pairing: Dancehall

“Perfect for smoking before getting a drink with friends, or right when you wake up. As someone who gets anxious and depressed, Dancehall doesn’t make me feel ‘high,’ just happy.” – notnick

Dancehall is a sativa-dominant hybrid that will lift your spirits instantly once consumed. It’s perfectly named after the style of reggae played in times of celebration, giving you the energy to socialize and dance the night away.

2. “Panda”

Desiigner

Strain Pairing: Panda OG

“When you think of a stoney strain (admit it, we all have our favorite couch lock bud) Panda OG is all that. I figured it would be a more manageable high compared to OG Chem, but man! What a great strain this is. It hits hard very fast. I might have to finish this review after I come down.” – PNWLove

Panda OG is a hybrid strain, crossing OG Chem and Berry Sour Cream to give the consumer a cerebral high great for anxiety and insomnia. Desiigner’s “Panda,” meanwhile, has managed to stay on top of the charts — its heavy, erratic beat accompanied with Desiigner’s eerie visual to “Panda” makes it a great combination with this strain.

3. “Can’t Stop the Feeling”

Justin Timberlake

Strain Pairing: Euforia

“This is my favorite strain, i’ve tried other sativas in hope of finding a better high than euforia but definitely this is the best high ever. It’s like “hakunna mattata”, no worries. You’ll feel such an awesone happiness that it works excellent when you feel depressed/blue. And it’s the best strain for social gatherings, everybody will have and ear to ear smile while they’re high on Euforia.” – sandriitz

You’ll want to laugh and smile all day after hitting a joint or vape full of Euforia. It’s a great strain to wake and bake with because the effects leave consumers feeling upbeat and ready to tackle their day head-on, no matter what obstacles may come their way. Euforia is excellent for when you want to socialize with friends during the day at a beach, and its energizing effects are also great for nightlife festivities, making it the perfect strain for JT’s feel-good anthem.

4. “Cheap Thrills”

Sia feat. Sean Paul

Strain Pairing: Island Sweet Skunk

“Such gorgeous, colorful lush buds. That drew me in immediately. I’m a fan of anything with a good, high functioning daytime buzz. This exceeded my expectations and really helped my neck pain. This uplifting strain can produce a little bit of light euphoria at times. Its nothing that can’t be handled though. I immensely enjoyed this strain and would recommend it to anyone who needs a little daytime medicating or a go-to for stress relief.” – Med_can_user_Mel

Island Sweet Skunk is the perfect pairing for Sia’s first Billboard #1 single, “Cheap Thrills.” This sativa calms the mind while giving your body an energetic boost to carry you through the day. The sweet, tropical fruit flavors will make you feel like you’re on an exotic cruise sailing down to the Caribbean Islands.

5. “Don’t Let Me Down”

The Chainsmokers feat. Daya

Strain Pairing: Headband

“Gets the job done. I only felt the ‘headband’ if I thought about it. Otherwise I didn’t notice much. It was smooth and made me alot happier. I recommend trying if you suffer from depression or if you’re just down about something.” – dangflabbit

“Don’t Let Me Down” has an upbeat tempo, while the subject matter of the song is particularly heavy. Headband, being a hybrid strain, is a cross between classics OG Kush and Sour Diesel, making it an excellent choice for pain relief and easing anxiety. In the Chainsmokers’ hit song, they sing:
“I think I’m losing my mind now/ It’s in my head, darling I hope/”
Many people who have tried Headband report that the strain makes them feel slight pressure around the crown of their head, another reason this strain and the song match up so well.

6. “This is What You Came For”

Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna

Strain Pairing: White Lightning

“First hit I took, I was surprised about how smooth it smokes. Great toke for sure. Very energizing strain, but good for relaxing as well, and if you’re a creative person? This strains for you.” – Slimwhite

This indica-dominant hybrid combines White Widow and Northern Lights #5 to produce a sweet yet skunky strain that will strike you out of nowhere like lightning. It leaves consumers’ bodies relaxed yet calm in their mind, but you could also enjoy this strain for an electrifying night on the town.

7. “Work from Home”

Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign

Strain Pairing: Wonder Woman OG

“overall i enjoyed this strain, a real laid back high. good for watching movies. a good bud to help you out after a long, stressfull day at work. this strain really helps me with my back pains and migraines.” – DrDKush

The ladies in Fifth Harmony are a strong group, so pairing their latest hit single “Work from Home” with the indica Wonder Woman OG seemed like an obvious choice. Whether you’re handling business at the office or working from home, this strain packs a punch that will give you that extra something needed to get through the work week.

8. “Needed Me”

Rihanna

Strain Pairing: White Widow

“Takes a while and then sneaks up. Two pea sized nugs in the bowl. Happy and very thought-focused head trip to start. Waves of altered time perception. After 1/2 hour, realized my face was getting sore from intense smiling. Excellent.” – NG_Buds

Rihanna’s femme fatale record heated up the charts this summer. In the NSFW music video for “Needed Me,” she seductively carries a gun around the strip club before she mercilessly shoots her lover (who she sings is just another on her “hit-list”) dead in one of the club’s private rooms, effectively making her a “widow” of sorts. White Widow’s potent burst of euphoria and energy complement Rihanna’s intensity exhibited in her music video.

9. “Ride”

Twenty One Pilots

Strain Pairing: K-Train

“K Train will make your senses go wild and your body beg for more. It smells of spice, orange, sour, and citrus with fresh coffee undertones. This is some serious medicine and will provide the user with a head numbing, body thumping experience that will make them happy and uplifted. As a medicinal user i find this strain ideal because it lasts a solid 3 hours and stops pain and stress, increases appetite, and decreases anxiety to the point of starring blankly at walls.” – Mastrom12

K-Train is an indica strain crossed between OG Kush and Trainwreck that will take you on the ride of your life, far away from stress and anxiety. It’s a great strain to pair with the song “Ride,” with lyrics like, “Oh, oh, I’m falling, so I’m taking my time on my ride./”

Take all the time you need while on K-Train because it will make this rollercoaster of a ride we call life that much more enjoyable.

10. “Don’t Mind”

Kent Jones

Strain Pairing: Thai Girl

“Might be my new favorite strain […] First time I hit it, I started giggling my way down the street so bad that everyone was looking at me like I was zebra striped. It wasn’t me just being paranoid either, this strain had a great relaxation effect and an uplifting cerebral effect which actually made me focus better. […] After a flinstone club of a joint, I got an Uber Pool with a cute girl who was, coincidentally, of Thai descent. I was feeling great and decided to go for it and actually got her number. She never texted me back, but this strain is still awesome.” – goekster

Kent Jones is an upcoming artist whose hit single pays homage to all the girls around the world. Jones sings in a few different languages in the song, including French, Spanish, Japanese, and even a little Haitian Creole. He has the ability to blend different cultural elements in his song while still making it catchy and fun for all. This tune much like the strain Thai Girl, has worldwide appeal. Originating in Southeast Asia, Thai Girl has spread its euphoric effects across the map.

Honorable Mention: “Cold Water”

Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber & MO

Although “Cold Water” didn’t release until mid-August, it immediately caused a huge splash on radio airwaves, rising to the top of Billboard’s chart.

Strain Pairing: Cold Creek Kush

“[…] We have a winner!!! I have been looking for a woman who can treat me right and Cold Creek Kush stole my heart. To start, the taste and aroma are so fresh, the scent alone opens your eyes and heightens your senses. A very clear headed high and what I would call a belly high (feeling it in your stomach) I crave “belly highs” that’s what my body looks for when I smoke. This is my go to strain from now on and being from CO. it’s easy to find. Definitely give it a try.” – JJH3885

Major Lazer, Justin Bieber ,and MO’s song “Cold Water” and the strain Cold Creek Kush seem like the perfect pair for likely reasons, mostly due to the fact that both titles make reference to cold bodies of water. But besides the names, Cold Creek Kush is an indica- dominant hybrid with balanced effects. Upon first listen of the song, it’s clear why they pair nicely. Bieber sings:

“Everybody gets high sometimes, you know
What else can we do when we’re feeling low?
So take a deep breath and let it go
You shouldn’t be drowning on your own”

What were your favorite songs of the summer, and which strains did you enjoy while listening to them?

Music strains

Strain Pairings