This is a list of the best songs for car rides, days at the beach, and late summer nights around camp fires. Some of these songs are new, and some have been around for a long time, but each one is on the list because I spent one or many summers singing them in the car. These songs are in no particular order.
1. "Can't Stop The Feeling" by Justin Timberlake (2016)
"I got that sunshine in my pocket, got that good soul in my feet." This hit is bound to be the number one song of the summer!
2. "Why Don't We Just Dance" by Josh Turner (2010)
"Well it might be me but the way I see it the whole world has gone crazy, so baby, why don't we just dance?" This song is perfect for dancing around the house to, and I don't think it will ever get old.
3. "Good To Be Me" by Uncle Kracker feat. Kid Rock (2010)
"I'll be alright, rollin' these streets all summer long." I have never heard a better song to put your windows down and drive to than this one!
4. "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (2014)
"Them good girls straight masterpieces. Stylin', whilen, livin' it up in the city." This is the perfect party song for all of the graduation parties in the summertime.
5. "Downtown" by Macklemore (2015)
"Know I run the streets, boy. Better follow me towards downtown." This song is so much fun and it is great for the summer season.
6. "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles (1969)
"Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here. Here comes the sun." This song is classic, and I feel like it doesn't even need a reason to be on this list, it just belongs here.
7. "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock (2007)
"Splashing through the sand bar, talking by the campfire. It's the simple things in life like when and where." This song was suggested by many when I was finding songs for this article. It is a perfect summer song and everyone knows it.
8. "Summer Love" by Justin Timberlake (2006)
"I can't wait to fall in love with you, you can't wait to fall in love with me. This just can't be summer love, you'll see." Justin Timberlake never lets us down with his songs. He always provides songs with meaning and a lot of heart, and something that everyone loves to dance to!
9. "Me Too" by Meghan Trainor (2016)
"Who's that sexy thing I see over there? That's me, standin' in the mirror." This song is an anthem of self confidence and is perfect for the summer season.
10. "Gold in The Summer Time" by Matt Nathanson (2015)
"Nobody loves you the way that I do, the way you shine through, gold in the summertime." This song is the perfect summer love song.
11. "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas (2009)
"I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night." This song was a big hit whenever it came out, and it still is today. It's perfect for a party on a summer night.
12. "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (2015)
"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say. Sunshine, she's here, you can take away." This song is a very "happy" and upbeat one. Even on a cloudy day this song can make me feel better. That is why I feel like it works well for this list.
13. "We Are Young" by 3oh!3 (2010)
"Windows down, pedal to the sneakers. Turn up the volume, blow out the speakers." This song relates well to teenagers and college students. The idea of driving with your favorite songs playing loudly is so much fun, and this is one song I love to play in my car.
14. "G.R.I.N.D. (Get Ready It's A New Day)" by Asher Roth (2010)
"So it's not about fame and fortune. It's all about believing and believing in yourself." The idea of getting back up and being happy that it's a new day that can be better than the last is great and I feel like that makes this song perfect for a good summer playlist.
15. "Springsteen" by Eric Church (2011)
"Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night, Springsteen." This song is perfect for summer nights around campfires.
16. "Alone Together" by Fall Out Boy (2013)
"Let's be alone together, we could be young forever. Scream it from the top of your lungs." This song definitely makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs.
17. "Sun Daze" by Florida Georgia Line (2014)
"Work a little less, play a little more, that's what this day is for." I feel like this song is perfect for weekends or a day off work.
18. "Firework" by Kary Perry (2010)
"You just gotta ignite the night and let it shine, just own the night like the fourth of July." This song has such a positive vibe that talks about self love. My sister and I have spent a lot of time singing along to this one.
19. "Break Away" by Kelly Clarkson (2004)
"Want to feel the warm breeze, sleep under a palm tree, feel the rush of the ocean." This song is such a calm and happy song to listen to, it's perfect for summer nights.
20. "Cake By The Ocean" by DNCE (2015)
"But you're moving so carefully; let's start living dangerously." This song was suggested to me by a close friend and I love it! It's such an exciting and fast paced song, perfect for a party!
21. "Summer Nights" by Grease Cast (1978)
"Summer days drifting away to the summer nights." This song is a classic. It's perfect for a summer playlist!
22. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston (1987)
"I wanna feel the heat with somebody. Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody, with somebody who loves me." This is an old song, but it's too good not to have on this list!
23. "Waterfalls" by TLC (1994)
"Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to." Waterfalls has always been one of my favorites and I feel like it is great for a sunny drive.
24. "All Star" by Smash Mouth (1999)
"Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming. Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running. Didn't make sense not to live for fun, you're brain gets smart but your head gets dumb." No matter how annoying I am when I sing this, it is always going to be great!
25. "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" by Nine Days (2000)
"While she looked so sad in photographs, I absolutely love her, when she smiles." This song has been one of my favorites for a long time and no matter how many times I hear it I don't think it will ever get old!
26. "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line (2012)
"Baby, you a song, you make me want to roll my windows down and cruise." This song is perfect for a sunny day of driving.
27. "All I Want to Do" by Sugarland (2008)
"I got my whole life to change the world and climb ladders. Looking at you looking at me is the only thing that matters." Some days we just want to stay in bed, and that's quite alright. This song talks about how sometimes it's okay to just stay in bed and relax!
28. On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons (2012)
"I've had the highest mountains, I've had the deepest rivers. You can have it all, but life keeps moving." This song was suggested by a great friend and I really think that it is fitting for a summer playlist.
29. "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams (1984)
"I got my first real six-string, bought it at the five-and-dime, played it till my fingers bled.
Was the summer of '69." My favorite teacher and my mom both suggested this song and I couldn't agree more that this one is a classic summer hit.
30. "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon (2014)
"Oh don't you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me. I said you're holding back, she said shut up and dance with me." Walk the Moon has many great songs, but this one was my favorite. My sister and I have spent many days annoying our brothers while we loudly sing this in the car.
31. "Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes (1983)
"Let me go on like I blister in the sun." I have always loved this song, whether I was listening to the original or a cover, it is a great song!
32. "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time" by Panic! At The Disco (2016)
"And we all fell down when the sun came up. I think we've had enough." Panic! at the Disco has so many great songs and this one just added to the many that I have loved by them. It's catchy and perfect for dancing.
33. "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts (2006)
"Life is a highway, I wanna drive it all night long." There are multiple versions of "Life is a Highway," but I loved the one by Rascal Flatts. One of my closest friends suggested this song for the list and it is very fitting!
34. "I'd Rather Be With You" by Joshua Radin (2008)
"I need to be bold, need to jump in the cold water, need to grow older with a girl like you." Joshua Radin is a great artist who performs mostly acoustic music, and his music is something that I love very much. This song was one he played when I saw him in concert and it just stuck with me.
If anyone has more songs they love for summertime, feel free to comment on them when I share my article! I loved hearing everyone's opinions on what was the best summertime music!
