Best summer songs to brighten your playlist

Summer is synonymous with sunny skies, long days at the beach, and of course, the perfect playlist to capture the season's carefree spirit. From timeless classics to modern hits, certain songs have a way of bringing that summer feeling no matter where you are or what you're doing. Here's a list of some of the best summer songs that deserve a spot on your playlist.

Iconic summer anthems

These tracks have stood the test of time, becoming quintessential anthems for summer adventures:

• "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

• "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys

• "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and The Waves

• "California Girls" by The Beach Boys

• "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone

Modern hits to keep you dancing

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The music scene never fails to deliver new summer hits that get everyone moving. Here are a few recent tracks that capture the essence of summer:

• "California Gurls" by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg

• "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee

• "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake

• "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran

• "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Feel-good classics

Some songs, regardless of when they were released, have a timeless feel-good vibe that makes them perfect for summer:

• "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles

• "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys

• "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas

• "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen

• "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles

Summer night tunes

As the day cools down, these songs are perfect for those summer nights spent with friends or enjoying a quiet moment alone:

• "Summer Nights" from Grease

• "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry

• "Night Moves" by Bob Seger

• "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone

• "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama

Upbeat tracks for beach days

Nothing complements a day at the beach better than lively and upbeat music that keeps the energy high under the sun. Here are a couple of tracks that are perfect for your next beach outing:

• "Cake By The Ocean" by DNCE

• "Malibu" by Miley Cyrus

• "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa

• "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd

• "Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles

Songs for road trips

Summer and road trips go hand in hand, and these songs will make your journey that much more memorable:

• "Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane

• "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers

• "Runnin' Down A Dream" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

• "Take It Easy" by Eagles

• "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen

Disney fans, don't worry, we didn't forget about you! Here are a few Disney songs that will make your summer playlist even more magical:

• "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid

• "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King

• "You're Welcome" from Moana

• "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King

• "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast

Summer wouldn't be complete without the perfect soundtrack, and these songs are sure to make any playlist shine. So grab your sunglasses, crank up the volume, and let these summer hits take you on a musical adventure!

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.