Top 10 Perfect Songs for the Summer

#10: Gin and Juice (1994)

Snoop Dogg

Combine Dr. Dres sample-heavy, head-nodding production with Snoop Doggs now-iconic laidback flow, and you get Gin and Juice, a pivotal moment in hip hop. The track marked the mainstream arrival of the West Coasts G-funk sound, and with it, the rise of the man born Calvin Broadus Jr. His effortlessly cool delivery and vivid storytelling made him an instant star, and the perfect ambassador for a new era of rap in the mid-1990s. Gin and Juice remains an essential summer listen, conjuring up images of backyard parties, cruising with the top down, and carefree days with the homies. No matter where you play it, this G-funk classic still gets listeners higher than Snoop on a Sunday.

#9: Under the Boardwalk (1964)

The Drifters

Sure, Under the Boardwalk is a timeless pop standard, covered by seemingly everyone from Bette Midler to the Beach Boys to Bruce Willis (yes, really). And while plenty of those renditions are charming in their own right, nothing quite matches the magic of the original, recorded by New York-based vocal group The Drifters. The song paints a vivid picture of a warm summer evening on Coney Island, playing into its reputation as a classic 60s date spot. Its gently cheeky lyrics add a wink of mischief to an otherwise breezy and romantic tune. Its the musical equivalent of a salty breeze and a stolen kiss under the pier.

#8: Soak Up the Sun (2002)

Sheryl Crow

If the dog days of summer have felt more like a seasonal slog, then consider your prescription to be a healthy dose of Sheryl Crow. With a chorus that hits like a sunbeam straight to the soul, Soak Up the Sun is pure pop optimism the kind that can brighten even the sweatiest, most air-conditioner-deprived apartment. Like the carefree protagonist of Crows enduring hit, you may not have diddly squat, but with good friends, blue skies, and a little perspective, youre doing just fine. So take Sheryls advice, kick back, and soak it all in before autumn comes knocking.

#7: (Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay (1968)

Otis Redding

With this track, Otis Redding delivered what many consider one of the defining songs of the 1960s. Tragically, he didnt live to see its impact. Redding died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967 just three days after recording Dock of the Bay. The song was released posthumously less than a month later, becoming the first track in history to top the Billboard Hot 100 after an artists death. But instead of casting a somber shadow, Reddings swan song serves as a golden-hour tribute. Light, reflective, and tinged with a serene sense of peace, Dock of the Bay invites listeners to honor Reddings legacy and celebrate his all-too-brief 26 years ideally, with your feet dangling off of a pier.

#6: Island in the Sun (2001)

Weezer

One of Weezers biggest hits, Island in the Sun almost didnt see the light of day. The band initially left it off the tracklist for their self-titled 2001 album that is, until producer (and The Cars frontman) Ric Ocasek stepped in and championed it. For that, we owe him a serious debt of gratitude. Now synonymous with sunshine and good vibes, Island in the Sun coasts along on an irresistibly breezy guitar riff and its iconic hip hip hook. Its a must for any summer playlist that doubles as pure, unmistakable Weezer.

#5: In the Summertime (1970)

Mungo Jerry

Who says theres anything wrong with being a one-hit wonder? British rockers Mungo Jerry never replicated the success of their debut single, but In the Summertime was more than enough to earn them a place in pop history. Reportedly written by frontman Ray Dorset in just ten minutes, the song distills summer down to its most essential ingredients: freedom, beautiful weather, and a total lack of stress. With its skiffle-inspired rhythm and easygoing charm, it became a #1 hit in Canada and the UK, and cracked the top 5 in the U.S. In the Summertime is as fleeting and as unforgettable as the season itself.

#4: Schools Out (1972)

Alice Cooper

Its no mystery as to how this rowdy rock anthem made the list. But dont just take our word for it take it from Alice Cooper himself, who once said the greatest three minutes of your life could be summed up in two moments: unwrapping presents on Christmas morning, and the last three minutes of the last day of school, when you're sitting there and it's like a slow fuse burning. Its safe to say that Cooper perfectly bottled that explosive anticipation. Schools Out became the eternal soundtrack for that glorious June day when that final bell rings and freedom begins. Well as much freedom as you can get with a curfew and a part-time job, anyway.

#3: Here Comes the Sun (1969)

The Beatles

Some songs dont just sound like summer: they feel like a sunrise after the longest winter of your life. Here Comes the Sun is one of those songs. Penned by George Harrison in the early months of 1969, the track was born from pure escapism: Harrison, fed up with business meetings and band tensions, skipped out on it all and wrote this little masterpiece in Eric Claptons garden. The result? A gentle, radiant anthem of renewal that remains one of the Beatles most beloved tracks. Yeah, its a summer song, but it also represents the promise of better (and warmer) days ahead.

#2: Margaritaville (1977)

Jimmy Buffett

You dont build an entire lifestyle brand (and accompanying restaurant chain) off a song unless it strikes a particular chord. And Margaritaville struck it like a sunburned tourist gulping down their third daiquiri before noon. Released in 1977, Jimmy Buffetts signature hit captured the chilled-out, slightly bleary-eyed spirit of tropical escapism and never looked back. With its steel drums, salty charm, and lyrics about wasting away and searching for lost shakers of salt, Margaritaville became the ultimate soundtrack for doing absolutely nothing and feeling great about it. Whether youre sipping something frozen or just dreaming of the beach from your backyard, Buffetts signature song is summer in a blender.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Summer in the City (1966)

The Lovin Spoonful

Cruel Summer (1983)

Bananarama

Summer of 69 (1985)

Bryan Adams

Summertime Sadness (2012)

Lana Del Rey

Watermelon Sugar (2019)

Harry Styles

#1: Kokomo (1988)

The Beach Boys

Kokomo has long been the black sheep of The Beach Boys catalog, earning side-eyes from critics and diehards alike. But for all its baggage, Kokomo does something undeniably well: it bottles up the fantasy of tropical escape like few songs before or since. It rocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to its breezy harmonies, beach-bar lyrics, and a chorus that drifts along like a catamaran in shallow turquoise water. So no, its not Pet Sounds, and its not trying to be. But if were talking about the ultimate summer vibe, Kokomo nails it with a fruity drink in hand and not a single worry in sight. And really, whats more summer than that?

Which of these songs puts you in a summer state of mind? Did we miss any sunshine-soaked anthems? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!