It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for all year — Homecoming week. So as you hunt for the medallion, tailgate or wait to get into the game, make sure you have the perfect playlist for this week. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out these five essential songs you need on your Homecoming playlist.

The throwback

Adding a throwback is a great starting point for a Homecoming playlist. You can play it safe and go with something more recent, like Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.,” or take it way back with something like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston. Pick a classic with a good beat, and your throwbacks will get everyone in the mood for Homecoming.

The party hit

Summer 2018 was full of new releases from Drake, Ariana Grande and Cardi B. Pick your genre, and load your playlist up with songs that everyone will know. “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 has a great rhythm and acoustic vibe to it, or you could go with the song that started this summer’s dance craze and queue up Drake’s “In My Feelings.” Regardless of what you pick, a party hit is guaranteed to get everyone moving.

The wild card

The key to a killer Homecoming playlist is putting your own personal spin on it — introducing the “wild card.” This is your chance to add whatever makes your Homecoming playlist a go-to. A good wild card adds balance to a playlist to mix the upbeat dance songs or a different genre in to the nonstop pop or hip-hop. One option is “Meant to Be,” the collaboration between Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, or another is Selena Gomez’s “Back to You.” Both give a different feel and will offer a slower moment to a fast-paced playlist.

‘Thunderstruck’  – AC/DC

Anyone who’s been to a North Dakota State football game knows this is a Bison classic, and no Homecoming playlist is complete without “Thunderstruck.” This song tells everyone this is Bison territory.

‘We Are The Champions’ – Queen

Homecoming is the time of year when we celebrate all of the accomplishments of our university and our classmates. This year, we’re celebrating another national title for our Bison football team. What better song to round out your Homecoming playlist than Queen’s “We Are The Champions”?

So when you’re lining up your tunes for Homecoming, don’t forget to add these five songs to your playlist, and you’ll have the perfect soundtrack for your Homecoming plans.