Songs Of The Summer: The Tracks That Became Summer Classics

Some songs are good.

Some songs are huge.

And then there are the songs that instantly feel like summer the second you hear them.

The tracks that soundtrack BBQs, road trips, beer gardens, beach holidays, windows-down car journeys and those rare British summer evenings where nobody wants to go home yet.

You hear the opening few seconds and suddenly it feels warmer outside.

These are the songs that became true summer classics over the years.

Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams

Possibly one of the ultimate summer songs ever recorded.

Even though it’s technically nostalgic, it somehow feels timeless every single year.

The opening guitar instantly sounds like:

sunshine
road trips
and somebody lighting a disposable BBQ slightly too close to a hedge

Club Tropicana by Wham!

Pure summer escapism.

Cocktails, sunshine and not a cloud in sight.

Even if you’re actually listening to it while standing in a British supermarket car park sweating next to a melting bag of shopping.

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

Scientifically impossible to be miserable while this is playing.

The musical equivalent of opening the curtains on a bright summer morning.

Holiday by Madonna

One of the definitive feel-good songs of the 80s.

Whether you’re actually going away or just sitting in the garden pretending Berkshire weather counts as the Mediterranean, Holiday somehow works perfectly.

California Gurls by Katy Perry

Bright, ridiculous and unapologetically summery.

This became one of those songs that completely took over summers everywhere.

Particularly:

pool parties
holiday playlists
and radio stations trying to sound sunny during British rainstorms

Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader

A song that somehow feels warm even in winter.

One of the most universally liked tracks ever released.

You can play this almost anywhere and people instantly start singing along.

Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes

A strange song when you really listen to the lyrics.

But absolutely impossible not to associate with sunshine and holidays.

Every summer playlist eventually finds room for it somewhere.

Rio by Duran Duran

This song sounds expensive.

Luxury yachts, sunglasses, beaches and glamorous 80s music videos.

Even now, Rio instantly transports people straight into full summer mode.

Lovely Day by Bill Withers

Smooth, warm and effortlessly uplifting.

One of those songs that improves almost any mood.

Also contains one of the most legendary sustained notes in music history.

All Star by Smash Mouth

Late 90s and early 2000s summers in musical form.

This song somehow became:

a movie soundtrack staple
a summer anthem
and eventually a full internet meme

Yet people still love it.

Island in the Sun by Weezer

Laid back, relaxed and perfect for warm evenings.

One of those songs that feels like:

sitting outside late
cold drinks
and nowhere to be the next morning

Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake

Modern summer pop done properly.

Bright, upbeat and impossible not to move to slightly.

Even people pretending not to dance usually fail after about 30 seconds.

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

Not just a summer song.

A happiness song.

Few tracks capture optimism and warmth better than this.

Especially after a long British winter.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!

Bright colours. Big energy. Pure fun.

This song still sounds like somebody opened the curtains and turned summer all the way up.

Why Summer Songs Matter So Much

Summer songs become attached to memories differently from other music.

People remember:

who they were with
where they were driving
holidays
festivals
first kisses
late nights
long hot evenings

One song can instantly transport somebody back 20 or 30 years in seconds.

That’s why the best summer songs never really disappear.

Every year they come back round again, sounding just as good as they did the first time.