Songs Of The Summer
Summer is a season with its own soundtrack. Some songs just feel like sunscreen smells, sandy flip-flops, and long nights when you forget what day it is. Over the decades, certain tracks have leapt from radios, beach parties, and car stereos to seize the cultural moment, forever tied to the summers they ruled. They weren’t just hits—they were seasonal anthems that demanded to be blasted with the windows down.
Here’s a journey through time with some of the greatest summer-defining hits, from the late 1950s all the way to today’s streaming-age blockbusters.
Eddie Cochran, ‘Summertime Blues’ (1958)
Before the term “teen angst” was even a thing, Eddie Cochran bottled it in this rock ’n’ roll classic. With its punchy guitar riffs and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the drudgery of summer jobs, “Summertime Blues” was an anthem for every kid who wanted freedom instead of responsibility. It wasn’t just a song—it was practically a rebellion in three chords.
Summertime Blues 📀 Eddie Cochran {DES Stereo} 1958, Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine
Chubby Checker, ‘Let’s Twist Again’ (1961)
If the original “Twist” set dance floors ablaze, this sequel turned it into a national pastime. Released in the early ’60s, “Let’s Twist Again” brought families, teens, and even grandparents into the craze. It wasn’t just a fad; it was proof that summer can always use a little more twisting.
Chubby Checker The Twist & Let's Twist Again on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Ed Sullivan Show
Jan & Dean, ‘Surf City’ (1963)
With Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys helping pen this one, “Surf City” was basically a golden ticket to a California summer. The promise of “two girls for every boy” might have been pure fantasy, but it captured the carefree beach vibe perfectly. It became the first surf rock song to hit number one, planting surfboards firmly into pop culture.
NEW * Surf City - Jan & Dean {Stereo} 1963, Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine
The Drifters, ‘Under The Boardwalk’ (1964)
This romantic doo-wop classic is practically the soundtrack to every seaside boardwalk in America. With smooth harmonies and lyrics about sneaking away from the crowds for some private moments, it’s all summer romance in under three minutes. Even decades later, it still conjures visions of sunburns, carnival rides, and salty ocean breezes.
NEW * Under The Boardwalk - The Drifters {Stereo}, Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine
Martha & The Vandellas, ‘Dancing in the Street’ (1965)
Motown met summer heat in this joyous anthem of community celebration. Originally inspired by the idea of cooling off by turning on fire hydrants, the song morphed into a worldwide call to dance in the open air. Its brass and rhythm make you want to move—preferably outside, with a crowd of sweaty strangers.
Martha & The Vandellas Dancing In The Street on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Ed Sullivan Show
The Lovin’ Spoonful, ‘Summer In The City’ (1966)
While most summer songs idealize beaches and freedom, this one nailed the sticky reality of urban summers. With car horns, jackhammers, and sweltering heat in the verses, it contrasted beautifully with the chorus’s breezy nights. It’s gritty, it’s real, and it perfectly soundtracked a time when cities were buzzing cultural centers.
The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer In The City [1966], Oldies Music
Chicago, ‘Saturday in the Park’ (1972)
Few songs capture the bliss of a lazy summer afternoon quite like this Chicago hit. Inspired by songwriter Robert Lamm’s actual stroll through Central Park on July 4th, it mixes jazzy instrumentation with imagery of ice cream, music, and strangers mingling. Listening to it feels like a picnic blanket for the ears.
Chicago - (1973) Saturday in the Park & Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, RocknRollArchive2
Led Zeppelin, ‘Dancing Days’ (1973)
Proving even hard rockers get swept up in the summer spirit, Led Zeppelin delivered “Dancing Days.” It’s sultry, hypnotic, and somehow manages to blend heavy riffs with a shimmering, almost tropical vibe. The song practically begs to be blasted during a hot drive with the windows down and hair whipping in the wind.
Donna Summer, ‘Hot Stuff’ (1979)
It’s basically impossible to picture a disco summer without Donna Summer running the show. “Hot Stuff” cranked things up with a beat that just won’t quit and a little rock ’n’ roll edge for good measure. It’s one of those songs that works just as well in a packed, sweaty club as it does blasting by the pool with a cold drink in hand.
Donna Summer -- Hot Stuff Video HQ, Mystic Plug Records II
Chic, ‘Good Times’ (1979)
If “Hot Stuff” was disco’s sultry side, “Good Times” was its celebratory peak. With Nile Rodgers’ legendary guitar groove and Bernard Edwards’ bassline (later lifted by hip-hop), it practically invented the summer party anthem. It’s not just a song—it’s a manual on how to have fun when the sun’s out.
NEW * Good Times - Chic {Stereo} 1979, Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine
Ramones, ‘Rockaway Beach’ (1977)
Few punk bands screamed “summer” louder than the Ramones with their ode to New York’s rough-and-ready beach spot. “Rockaway Beach” was surf rock sped up, stripped down, and turned into a pogoing anthem. It’s summer, but with ripped jeans and leather jackets.
The Ramones - Rockaway Beach (live), David
The Go-Go’s, ‘Vacation’ (1982)
The Go-Go’s nailed the carefree vibe of ditching real life with this bright, bouncy pop-rock hit. Its catchy beat and sing-along chorus basically made taking a vacation feel like mandatory fun. Even if you were stuck at your desk, it was the perfect song to mentally check out and imagine yourself on the beach.
Go-Go's - Vacation (official music video), GoGosUnsealed
Jonathan Richman, ‘That Summer Feeling’ (1983)
Unlike the high-energy bangers on this list, Jonathan Richman’s tune is nostalgic and bittersweet. It’s about how summer memories linger longer than any suntan. More meditation than anthem, it captures the ache of growing older while still craving that simple summer magic.
Jonathan Richman - That Summer Feeling Live, Cub Callaway
Prince, ‘When Doves Cry’ (1984)
Prince didn’t just define a summer—he defined an era with this electrifying, genre-defying hit. Its haunting production and raw emotion turned sweaty dance floors into shrines. Released alongside Purple Rain, it was less about lazy summer vibes and more about burning intensity, making it unforgettable.
Prince and the Revolution - When Doves Cry (Official Music Video), Prince
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, ‘It Takes Two’ (1988)
If summer had an eternal hype man, it would be this track. With its iconic “Woo! Yeah!” sample, “It Takes Two” transformed block parties into unforgettable nights. Decades later, it’s still the ultimate soundtrack for any spontaneous dance battle.
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two, RobBaseDJEZRockVEVO
Pavement, ‘Summer Babe (Winter Version)’ (1992)
Alternative rock got its summer stamp with Pavement’s hazy, jangly anthem. “Summer Babe” felt less like a polished single and more like a fleeting moment captured in sound. It was indie cool before indie cool was a thing, tailor-made for college kids staying up until sunrise.
Pavement - Summer Babe (Winter Version), Virgil pinK
Nelly, ‘Hot in Herre’ (2002)
If you lived through the early 2000s, you know this wasn’t just a song—it was a movement. Nelly’s playful yet raunchy anthem made clubbing a sweaty, joyful mess. Its sheer ubiquity turned it into one of those tracks where you couldn’t step outside without hearing “It’s getting hot in here…” floating through the summer air.
Nelly - Hot In Herre (Official Music Video), Nelly
Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’ (2011)
Country music got its modern summer anthem with “Springsteen.” It’s wistful, nostalgic, and drenched in Americana. By tying teenage romance to the soundtrack of The Boss, Eric Church ensured this ballad would forever belong to backyard barbecues and starry nights.
Eric Church - Springsteen (Official Music Video), Eric Church
Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber, ‘Despacito’ (2017)
Few songs in history have owned a summer like “Despacito.” This reggaeton-pop hybrid became a global phenomenon, topping charts everywhere and dominating every party playlist. Its infectious rhythm turned beaches, nightclubs, and living rooms into dance floors.
Luis Fonsi - Despacito ft. Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi
Drake, ‘In My Feelings’ (2018)
Thanks to a viral dance challenge, “In My Feelings” completely took over the summer of 2018. Drake knows how to own the internet, and this track was proof—you either tried the “Shiggy” dance yourself or couldn’t escape watching someone else do it. It wasn’t just a hit song; it was the soundtrack to an online craze that spilled into real life.
Drake - In My Feelings (Official Music Video), Artazia
Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin, ‘I Like It’ (2018)
With its Latin trap beat and Cardi B’s unshakable swagger, “I Like It” was pure fire. It blended salsa flair with modern hip-hop, making it impossible not to move when it came on. By the end of the summer, everyone liked it—and then some.
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin - I Like It [2018 American Music Awards], Cardi B
Koffee, ‘Toast’ (2019)
This Jamaican breakout track radiated good vibes and gratitude, making it a refreshing twist on the typical summer anthem. With its breezy beat and uplifting lyrics, “Toast” felt like sunshine distilled into song form. Koffee’s rise made it clear summer still has room for new global voices.
Original Koffee - Toast (Live) - Vevo DSCVR, VevoDSCVR
BTS and Megan Thee Stallion, ‘Butter (Remix)’ (2021)
If pop needed a reminder that it could still dominate summers in the streaming era, BTS delivered it—smooth like, well, butter. Add Megan Thee Stallion’s fiery verse, and the remix became a crossover moment that thrilled both K-pop stans and hip-hop heads. It’s sugary, fun, and impossible to resist.
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