The 80 Best Songs of Summer We Listened to on Repeat Year After Year
There are a few ways we define the perfect summer song: It can be about summer, it can be released in the summer, or, in the case of some tracks on this list, it can define an entire summer with its impact and airplay. From classic crooning about coladas and cocktails and Kokomo to top songs celebrating heat and the beach time that comes with it, these are the 80 best summer songs of all time.
1. The Beach Boys, "California Girls"
Before Katy Perrywas a twinkle in her dad's eye, The Beach Boysdelivered the ultimate ode to summer and the babes who relish in it with "California Girls."
2. Alice Cooper, "School's Out"
Whether you're thrilled about this as a kid or dreading it as a parent, Alice Cooper's classic is sure to be stuck in your head every June.
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3. The Lovin' Spoonful, "Summer in the City"
The only thing better than a lazy summer day is a steamy summer night.
4. The Go-Gos, "Vacation"
Props to this all-girl band for making one of the most enduring summer songs ever, thanks to its classic and simple hook: "Vacation, all I ever wanted / Vacation, have to get away."
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5. Bryan Adams, "Summer of '69"
This classic anthem captures the feelings of invincibility and nostalgia that come with summer break when you're young.
6. The Beatles, "Here Comes the Sun"
George Harrison penned this sunny Beatlesclassic, perfect for summer mornings.
7. Sly and the Family Stone, "Hot Fun in the Summertime"
County fairs in the country sun and a summer fling make up this classic.
8. Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer"
This 1984 smash was nominated for a Record of the Year Grammy. Be sure to also listen to The Ataris' killer cover.
9. Martha and the Vandellas, "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave"
When you're about to gripe about boob sweat and electric bills from your air conditioning, play this song and learn to love the heat!
10. Eddie Cochran, "Summertime Blues"
If you've ever had to work when your summer fling wanted to hang out, you can relate to this!
11. Seals and Crofts, "Summer Breeze"
This 1972 song is guaranteed to make you feel fine.
12. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, "Summertime"
"Summertime" may sound like an anthem to a lazy August day, but the George Gershwin classic from Porgy & Bess has a deeper and more haunting meaning in the context of the opera: A sweet lullaby during a time of extreme fear, oppression and tragedy. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's version of it might be the most beautiful one we've ever heard.
13. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, "Summer Nights"
This classic tune, sung by Greasestars Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta along with their ensemble cast, is a great ending to summer track, when you're reminiscing with your friends about "splashin' around."
14. David Bowie and Mick Jagger, "Dancing in the Street"
This cover is as good as the original but with more of a rock than a pop vibe—and it's David Bowie and Mick Jagger. Who can say no?
15. Katrina and the Waves, "Walking on Sunshine"
If this song doesn't make you start beaming, check your pulse. You may have a problem.
16. Chubby Checker, "Let's Twist Again"
This rock classic encourages you to relive last summer in the best way.
17. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, "Summertime"
Will Smith raps alongside DJ Jazzy's Jeff's breezy beat about everything from barbecues to basketball games to the mall, capturing all the best things about the hottest season of the year.
18. Mungo Jerry, "In the Summertime"
When the weather is fine, you're sure to hear this ad nauseam.
19. Jan & Dean, "Surf City"
This tune, co-written by The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, went to No. 1 in 1963.