The sun is out, the temperatures are climbing, and there’s nothing like some good music to get you ready for summertime. Whether it’s relaxing by the pool or heading out to the beach, music is a mainstay for our summer outings and celebrations. June 20 marks the first day of this season of fun and sun, so grab a cold drink, slather on the sunscreen, and enjoy these songs of summer.
Sunshine gonna wash my blues away."Knee Deep," Zac Brown Band (written by Wyatt Durrette, Jeffrey Steele, Cory Bowles, and Zac Brown)
Summer, summer, summertime / Time to kick back and unwind"Summertime," DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (written by Ricky West, Hula, Claydes Smith, Kool & the Gang, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Will Smith)
We're waxing down our surfboards / We can't wait for June..."Surfin' USA," The Beach Boys (written by Brian Wilson and Chuck Berry)
She was sippin' on Southern and singing Marshall Tucker / We were fallin' in love in the sweet heart of summer..."Cruise," Florida Georgia Line (written by Jesse Rice, Chase Rice, Joey Moi, Brian Kelley, and Tyler Hubbard)
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"Island In The Sun," Weezer (written by Rivers Cuomo)
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..."Summer Of '69," Bryan Adams (written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance)
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy“Summertime,” “Porgy and Bess” (written by Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward, and George Gershwin)
Summer love, by my side / we could rule the world / Just you and I“Summer Love,” Rita Ora (written by Rita Ora, Deleon “i/O” Blake, Amir Amor, Piers Aggett, Kesi Dryden, Leon “Locksmith” Rolle, Yogi & Roméo Testa)
Feel that salt in my hair / almost there / Got that wind in my hair / Ray-Ban glare“Summer Fever,” Little Big Town (written by Karen Fairchild, RØMANS, Cary Barlowe, and Jesse Frasure)
Summer breeze makes me feel fine“Summer Breeze,” The Isley Brothers (written by Dash Crofts and Jim Seals)
Do you remember / How when you were younger / All the summers lasted forever?“Do You Remember,” Chance the Rapper ft. Death Cab for Cutie (written by Garren Sean, Francis and the Lights, Peter CottonTale, Nico Segal, Nate Fox, Justin Vernon, Eric Butler, Dwayne Verner Jr., Benjamin Gibbard, and Chance the Rapper)
There’s magic everywhere / Everywhere in the summer.“It’s Summer,” Gladys Knight & The Pips (written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong)
Sippin whiskey out the bottle, not thinkin’ ‘bout tomorrow / Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long.“All Summer Long,” Kid Rock (written By Ed King, Uncle Kracker, LeRoy Marinell, Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Robert Wachtel, Warren Zevon, and Kid Rock)
Summer days, driftin' away..."Summer Nights," “Grease” (written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs)
Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket, got that good song in my feet."Can't Stop The Feeling," Justin Timberlake (written by Shellback, Justin Timberlake, and Max Martin)
In the summertime when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and touch the sky."In The Summertime," Mungo Jerry (written by Ray Dorset)
Sunshine, blue eyes, tan lines, slow tide."Beachin,'" Jake Owen (written by Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite, and Jimmy Robbins)
Photo credit: ninaluong/ Unsplash
About the Author
Kristen Warfield
Kristen is a writer, mom and cat lover living in New York.
