20 Songs About Summer (You Already Know)

Up here near Canada, the non-winter is transient. In order to make it seem longer, locals can often be heard singing these songs about summer. Okay, no one actually does that. But hypothetically speaking, if they did, this would be the playlist. (To keep the chronological lineup manageable, all song titles had to include the word summer.)

 

“Summer” from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi (~1725)

This violin concerto made the list for one reason—to make us Upstate New Yorkers seem cultured.

 

“Summertime” by George Gershwin (1935)

From the opera Porgy and Bess, this classic has been covered thousands of times and made the cut…yes, to help feign enlightenment.

 

“Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra (1966)

If a Sinatra song is available—even if it is a cover of a German original—it has to qualify.

 

“Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful (1966)

This ’60s jam from the New York City folk rock band has clearly passed the test of time.

 

“Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stone (1969)

Yet another timeless ’60s track, this one courtesy the funk and soul legends from San Francisco.

 

“In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry (1970)

Here’s one of those tunes (from a British rock band) that everyone just knows.

 

“Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts (1972)

Another tune (this one from a couple Americans) that is in everyone’s catalog.

 

“Summer Nights” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1978)

From the musical Grease, does anyone actually like this song?

 

“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama (1983)

Before Taylor Swift (see below) was born, there was another “Cruel Summer,” made even more familiar thanks to a 1998 cover by the Swedish group Ace of Base.

 

“Suddenly Last Summer” by The Motels (1983)

Throw this in the category of songs you recognize by bands you’ve never heard of.

 

“The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley (1984)

With this track, Henley showed that he didn’t need the Eagles to make cheesy rock.

 

“Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams (1985)

Adams grew up around Kingston and Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, proving that even boring towns can provide great memories.

 

“Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1991)

A few decades before slapping comedians on live television, Will Smith was making some pretty good music.

 

“Summertime Blues” by Alan Jackson (1994)

A cover of the 1958 original by Eddie Cochran, this serves as the songs about summer country music representative (just so no one can claim discrimination).

 

“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock (2008)

When a kid from Michigan samples “Sweet Home Alabama,” this is what you get.

 

“Summer” by Calvin Harris (2014)

Most of what the Scottish DJ touches turns to gold, and this jam is no exception.

 

“Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato (2015)

For the record, Lovato isn’t singing about riding bicycles and playing hopscotch.

 

“Feels Like Summer” by Weezer (2017)

This surprise hit let music fans around the world know that Weezer still existed.

 

“Summer in New York” by SOFI TUKKER (2022)

In sampling “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega, the quirky duo added another great dance track to its growing portfolio.

 

“Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift (2023)

And finally, the one who cannot be left off any playlist for fear of committing playlisticide. This song is from a 2019 album, but it wasn’t released as a single until 2023.

 

Feel free to add to this completely unnecessary collection of songs about summer in the comments below.