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Looking for songs to celebrate the arrival of summer?
Summer is an exciting time for many people.
It’s the time for vacations, spending quality time with family and friends, and enjoying the wonders of nature. Some even experience a whirlwind romance during this time.
It’s no surprise, then, that this season is full of positive emotions and memories.
Today, we’re sharing a roundup of songs about summer. Many of these tracks evoke nostalgia for carefree days and the simple joys of a bright sunny day.
Let the songs in this collection transport you to unforgettable places and moments spent under the sun.
1. It’s Summer, Gladys Knight and The Pips
“There’s magic in the air. Winter’s disappeared. It’s summer.”
Ready to welcome summer?
This song is a tribute to the season that brings warmth and color to the world. It celebrates all the things that can be seen and done during summertime.
2. Constructive Summer, The Hold Steady
“We’re gonna build something this summer.”
Young people are usually excited for summer because school’s out and they can spend more time with their friends. Some go on trips, while others have adventures. Meanwhile, others meet up each day and find ways to have fun all summer long.
This song is about the adventures that can be had with friends during summertime. It describes young people’s lust for life and adventure.
3. Summer Never Ends, Anna Yvette and Laura Brehm
“Breathe in this moment and don’t close your eyes. Could we stay longer here in the summer?”
Do you ever wish summer wouldn’t end? Maybe the season brings so many memorable experiences that you’d want it to last forever.
Here’s a song that hopes summer lasts forever so you can savor everything the season has to offer.
4. Cruel Summer, Bananarama
“It’s a cruel, cruel summer. Leavin’ me here on my own. It’s a cruel, cruel summer now you’re gone.”
Have you ever had a summer fling?
For many people, summer is the season for whirlwind romances, which can be one of the exciting highlights of the season.
Unfortunately, this song is the opposite of the happy and romantic vibes of summer. The narrator experiences a breakup right when summer starts. It’s a cruel summer, indeed.
5. Kids of Summer, Mayday Parade
“Turn up the stereo and let us all sing our favorite songs. The ones that keep reminding us that we were the kids of summer.”
This song brings nostalgia for carefree summer days spent with good friends. If you need an anthem for summers past, this song fits the bill.
6. Summer Breeze, Seals and Crofts
“Summer breeze makes me feel fine.”
This is an easy-listening song that evokes the scents, sounds, and sights of summer. It’s a simple story of someone who, after a long day, heads home and finds peace and contentment through their short stroll.
7. Sun Is Shining, Bob Marley
“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Make you wanna move your dancing feet.”
This song evokes positivity, and is also a call to action.
The song tells listeners that, amidst their celebration during sunny days, they also need to remember to reach out their hands to those in need.
8. Alabama Nights, Tiera Kennedy
“Hot seat summers, mixin’ Cherry Sprite with a little bit of Tito’s over Sonic Ice.”
Remember those summer evenings when you were growing up?
Here’s a song that captures the essence of balmy nights. In it, Tiera Kennedy reminisces about summer nights in one’s hometown.
9. Summer of ’69, Bryan Adams
“Oh, when I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever. And if I had the choice, yeah, I'd always wanna be there. Those were the best days of my life.”
Here’s another song that takes you back to the carefree days of youth and summertime.
What were your best memories of summer when you were younger?
10. Summertime Blues, Alan Jackson
“Yeah, sometimes I wonder what I’m gonna do ‘cause there ain’t no cure for summertime blues.”
This song is a cover of Eddie Cochran’s song with the same title, first released in 1958. It’s about a teenager who’s having problems with his summer job.
All he wants is to see his girlfriend, but his boss and parents are giving him a hard time. He considers taking his problem to the United Nations, but settles for a local politician who can’t help him because the kid isn’t of voting age.
The song is an anthem for young people, focusing on their powerlessness against authority (the boss, the kid’s parents, and the politician).
11. Summer in the City, The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Come on, come on and dance all night. Despite the heat it’ll be alright. And, babe, don’t you know it’s a pity the days can’t be like the nights in the summer, in the city…”
This song paints two contrasting pictures of what goes down in the city during the day and at night. In the daytime, it’s hot and crowded. However, nighttime brings opportunities for having fun. The narrator expresses regret that it can’t be so during daytime.
12. The Boys of Summer, Don Henley
“I can see you. Your brown skin shining in the sun. I see you walking real slow and smiling at everyone. I can tell you, my love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer have gone.”
This bittersweet song is a walk down memory lane to unrequited love and the passing of youth. In it, the narrator reminisces about a girl he loves who, unfortunately, prefers the attention of the boys on the title of this song is based.
[Check out this post if you’re looking for more songs about unrequited love.]
13. Under the Boardwalk, The Drifters
“Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof. And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fireproof. Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, on a blanket with my baby is where I'll be.”
As mentioned earlier, summer is often a time for romance. In this song, a couple spends some time together in their own little paradise under the boardwalk, away from all the other beachgoers.
14. Summertime Sadness, Lana Del Rey
“I got that summertime, summertime sadness.”
In this melancholy song, Lana Del Rey reminisces about someone in her life who made her feel invincible and electric when they were around. Now that the person is gone, all she feels is sadness.
15. A Summer Song, Chad & Jeremy
“And when the rain beats against my window pane, I'll think of summer days again and dream of you.”
Here’s another song about summertime romance. In it, the narrator reminisces about his summer romance. As the day grows colder, he becomes sadder, since the one he loves is no longer with him.
16. Summer Rain, Johnny Rivers
“All summer long we spent dancin' in the sand. And the jukebox kept on playin' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
This song makes reference to an event in 1967 called “The Summer of Love,” where thousands of people flocked to San Francisco to attend a music festival featuring iconic musicians such as Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, and George Harrison (of The Beatles).
In this song, the narrator reminisces about the time when he was young and had a love affair during The Summer of Love event. Ah, to be young and in love!
17. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Brian Hyland
“It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini that she wore for the first time today.”
Since we’re talking about summer songs, this one has to be on the list. Although it doesn’t mention the season specifically, it certainly evokes summer vibes.
In it, a shy girl wears a yellow polka dot bikini to the beach for the first time. It’s an iconic song to bop to this summer.
18. Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer, Nat King Cole
“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Those days of soda and pretzels and beer. Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. You'll wish that summer could always be here.”
The warmer months make it possible to spend more time outside. Here’s a song that serves as an invitation to have fun and savor the days of warm weather, when you can relax, have fun, and feel carefree.
19. Suddenly Last Summer, The Motels
“One summer never ends. One summer never began. It keeps me standing still. It takes all my will. And then suddenly, last summer.”
This song is about reflecting on those moments in life when you undergo a major change—just like when the seasons change. It could be a beautiful, warm day, and then something in the air—a cold breeze, perhaps—tells you summer’s almost at its end.
20. We’re Gonna Save the Summer, The Pearlfishers
“Telephone me from a box if it’s raining. We’ll swim our way into the crowd, talking low and thinking loud. We’re gonna chase away all of the dark clouds. We’re gonna save the summer.”
In this song, a group of friends want to experience everything that summer has to offer. They take every opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of the season.
21. Summer, Kool & The Gang
“Takin' a walk, summer nights. In the park, old friends, checker games. Down the street, stickball playin'. Chill, to the beach. I can't beat the heat so I hit the streets. Ooh, summer.”
This song names many of the things you can do and experience on summer nights. Some of them are good for wasting time, while others are a way to beat the heat.
22. Ask, The Smiths
“Spending warm summer days indoors writing frightening verse to a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg. Ask me, ask me, ask me.”
This song is about a person who is too shy to make a move and let the person they like know of their feelings. It touches upon the actions of a typical shy person, who willingly spends hours indoors, despite the summer heat, because they’re afraid to tell the person they’re interested in how they truly feel.
23. Vacation, The Go-Go’s
“Vacation, all I ever wanted. Vacation, had to get away. Vacation, meant to be spent all alone.”
Vacations are often associated with summertime. In this song, a heartbroken young woman decides that taking a vacation will make her forget her ex.
24. Strawberry Wine, Deana Carter
“Like strawberry wine and seventeen. The hot July moon saw everything. My first taste of love, oh, bittersweet and green on the vine, like strawberry wine.”
This song is about experiencing your first love. Perhaps the moment happened during a summer’s day, and the rest of the days spent together were exciting and memorable.
25. Sunshine and Summertime, Faith Hill
“I said, ‘Hey, that's the way we do it. New friends and blue skies that never end. Hey, that's the way we like it. Good times, sunshine and summertime.’”
This song spotlights all of the positive and heartwarming activities people do during summer. Do you have memories of how the people in your community gathered for summer events?
26. Long Hot Summer, Keith Urban
“It's gonna be a long hot summer, we should be together.”
This song is about the longing one feels when they’re away from the person they love the most. In it, the narrator imagines the moment when they can be together again.
27. Summertime, New Kids on the Block
“I think about you in the summertime and all the good times we had, baby. Been a few years and I can't deny the thought of you still makes me crazy. I think about you in the summertime. I'm sittin' here in the sun with you on my mind. My summertime.”
Here’s another song about summer romance. In this track, the narrator reminisces about a special person in his life. Many of the moments he shared with his romantic partner happened during the summertime.
28. Summer Fever, Little Big Town
“Over and over again on a blown out speaker. Dance in the sand while the sun sets deeper. Got that top back on that Jeep. Got that soundtrack on repeat. Got that one hand on my knee and I want it. Over and over again, catching summer fever. Summer fever, summer fever.”
This song is about the bliss of summer. It’s about spending time with good friends, having fun, and making precious memories.
29. Summer Nights, Rascal Flatts
“Summer nights. Everybody, are you with me? Let that Igloo cooler mark your piece of paradise. Summer nights. Everybody's feeling sexy. Holler if you're ready for some summer nights.”
This song serves as another invitation to have fun during summertime. It is a celebration of the warm weather and encourages listeners to take part in the fun by swimming and hanging out with their favorite people.
30. Summer, War
“‘Cause it's summer. Summertime is here. Yes it's summer. My time of year. Yes it's summer. My time of year.”
This song is about welcoming summer with open arms. People eagerly anticipate the arrival of summer. They have a cause for celebration, as the warmer months are finally here.
31. Pontoon, Little Big Town
“On the pontoon, making waves and catching rays up on the roof. Jumping out the back, don't act like you don't want to. Party in slow motion out here in the open. Mmmmmmm motorboating.”
Little Big Town makes the list again another wonderful song celebrating summer. This one is about spending the day on a pontoon and having an awesome time.
This song is truly a summer anthem.
32. Summer Feelings, Lennon Stella ft. Charlie Puth
“Hey, gettin' in my summer feelings and I'm trying to keep it cool. Way up here in my summer feelings and I found a piece of me that I never knew.”
This song evokes special memories of summer. It invites listeners to dance and let loose, remembering those carefree summer days of the past.
33. Island in the Sun, Weezer
“On an island in the sun we'll be playing and having fun. And it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain.”
This song is about being transported with someone you love to a sun-drenched island. No worries. No stress. Just fun under the sun.
34. Barefoot Blue Jean Night, Jake Owen
“Never gonna grow up. Never gonna slow down. We were shinin' like lighters in the dark. In the middle of a rock show. We were doin' it right. We were comin' alive. Yeah, caught up in a Southern summer, a barefoot, blue jean night.”
This song captures the essence of summer. It invites listeners to embrace their fun-loving side and let loose, doing what makes them feel alive—perhaps dancing barefoot on a warm summer night.
35. In Summer (Frozen OST), Josh Gad
“When life gets rough, I like to hold on to my dream. Relaxing in the summer sun, just lettin' off steam. Oh the sky would be blue, and you guys'll be there too. When I finally do what frozen things do in summer.”
What do frozen things do in summer? Olaf the snowman has several ideas—but it seems he doesn’t quite understand what happens to snowmen when it gets warm. Should we tell him?
Final Thoughts on Songs About Summer
Summer encourages you to get closer to family and friends through shared experiences that become precious memories in the future.
We hope that this collection of songs that call on the spirit of summer inspires you to cherish your experiences this season and the people you share them with.
If you’re looking for more resources about the seasons, feel free to check out the following posts:
- 25 Best Songs About Monday to Start the Week
- 21 Best Songs to Celebrate the Joy of Spring
- 45 Best Songs About New Beginnings and Starting Over
