10 Throwback Summer Songs You’ll Be Listening To All Season
There are those throwback summer songs that will never get old. Below is a list of songs that continue to invoke a since of nostalgia every time you listen to them. These songs are the epitome of summer and will have you singing along all season long while sitting pretty poolside.
1. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
This one of the most iconic summer songs because it is synonyms with those long, hot summer days where you can literally feel your body melting. The synth in the background with the haunting vocals of Keren Woodward will leave you feeling like you just stepped back into a John Hughes movie. Considering that high-waisted cut off shorts are in again this song is only fitting for your summer playlist.
2. California Girls by The Beach Boys
The OG “California Girls” song by The Beach Boys is a song that many have tried to emulate. There’s something about this 1960s sufer rock group that emulates summer. It’s a short and sweet summer that is perfect to listen to while relaxing by a pool or better yet by the pacific ocean in actual California.
3. Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Before Will Smith was a big-time movie star in the early 90s he was rapping along with his good friend DJ Jazzy Jeff and playing off of his hit TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. The song “Summertime” is sung through a slow rap by Smith discussing all of the high qualities of summertime. If anything the video is an excellent source of fashion inspiration.
4. All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow
This song goes out for to everyone who just wants to have some fun this summer. Based off of a Wyn Cooper poem “All I Wanna Do” is a song to listen to while you’re looking for something to occupy your days off. Even if you want to just lay back and be lazy the entire summer this is one of those summer songs that will go well with just about anything you have planned.
5. Fantasy by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” is a perfect summer love song as well as one of the many iconic summer songs that you just can’t get out of your head. While listening to it you can imagine yourself walking hand-in-hand with your summer love along a boardwalk or summer fair. The video actually depicts a young Carey riding a bunch of carnival rides and roller-blading along the boardwalk.
6. Summer Of ’69 by Bryan Adams
I’m going out on a limb here by saying that most of us weren’t born in 1969 but that doesn’t mean you can’t still relate to this Bryan Adams hit. “Summer Of ’69” is timeless because it describes the yearning and youth that summer holds for so many. Even if you’re only a few years out of college or high school this song will remind you of those feelings of being young and restless in your hometown.
7. Hotel California by The Eagles
Another song paying homage to The Golden State The Eagles’ “Hotel California” is one of the most iconic summer songs. Originally released in 1976 this song has managed to have decades long staying power. There is a lot of debate surrounding the true nature of this song. A few theories are that “Hotel California” is about a relationship, addiction, the life of a rockstar and even Hell itself. Even if you haven’t found out the mystery behind this classic rock anthem this haunting tune will have you swaying along to the guitar riffs well into the night.
8. Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
Tom Petty is one of the most iconic artists of all time and his song “Free Fallin'” definitely can be considered one of the most iconic summer songs. It’s the epitome of a feel good song, with lyrics that are relaxing to listen to. In an interview with Billboard Petty actually revealed the song came to be after he tried to make fellow artist Jeff Lynne laugh. The fact that this song was born out of two friends having a good time is just another reason why this song is perfect for the summer. Enjoy it while laying in the grass and watching the clouds pass above you.
9. Vacation by The Go-Go’s
What’s summer without an actual vacation? This 1982 song by The Go-Go’s takes advantage of that concept in their song aptly titled “Vacation”. The song has been featured on a variety of shows and in a few movies when the depiction of summer break is needed. You’ll want to include this in your road trip playlist because it will make those long highway stretches definitely more bearable.
10. Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias
“Bailamos” which means “Let’s Dance” is a late 1990s hit by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. This Latin Pop song will make you want to get up and dance every time you hear it. It was released twice, once on the soundtrack to the film Wild Wild West and again on Iglesias’s debut english album. Good Latin Pop goes perfectly with summer.
