7 Artists Share Their Ultimate Memorial Day BBQ Playlist

With Memorial Day Weekend approaching, we asked artists to provide song selections they would add to their BBQ playlists.

By Simon Pruitt

May 23, 2025

Image: This is a photo of chicken on a grill

Fire up the grill. Kevin Todora

Audio By Carbonatix

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Who's ready for a three-day weekend?

We sure are. Whether you plan to spend it at a big family BBQ, catching up on sleep, or just exploring Dallas, music should be part of your day. As such, we asked a few of our local favorite artists, plus the contemporary queen of jazz, Samara Joy, for their suggestions on the ultimate Memorial Day playlist. Their responses were just like the Dallas music scene, completely all over the place. Check out some of these tracks if you've never heard them, ranging from Marvin Gaye to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Now get to grilling!

More meats, please.

Kevin Todora

Dezi 5

"'Before I Let Go,' Frankie Beverly and Maze. Beyoncé did a rendition of it, so 'Before I Let Go.' Luther Vandross, 'Bad Boy / Having a Party.'And right now, [803Fresh's] 'Boots on the Ground,' every family function I've been to the last two weeks, every family wants to learn this 'Boots on the Ground' song. 'Boots on the Ground' right now is the song for the BBQs. [Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers], 'American Girl.' Well, she was an American girl! The Doobie Brothers, 'Listen to the Music.' If you're thinking about a backyard party, 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' by The Beach Boys."

Rakim Al-Jabbaar

"[Refugee Camp All Stars] and Lauryn Hill, 'The Sweetest Thing.' I'ma say, 2Pac's 'Dear Mama.' Soul for Real's 'Candy Rain.' Best Memorial Day song."

Lamar Adot Thomas

"'Dope Man,' by me. 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye."

Samara Joy

"'All We Need,' by Patrice Rushen."

Jacobo Kolinsky (guitarist of This Saturn Factory)

"'Acolyte' by Slaughter Beach, Dog."

Judah Fullerton (guitarist in Esther)

"'Robot Stop' by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard."

Jon Berman

"'Crazy on You' by Heart. '1978' by Salim Nourallah."

Simon Pruitt is a staff writer for the Dallas Observer. He's been writing professionally since he was 16, covering art, sports and all the peculiar things he finds along the way.

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