When you are looking for music for a beach party, there are several bands to hit first. The most obvious is The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean. There are others that also fill the bill. Most of my top 15 are classics from the 1950-80’s eras but there are other great tunes as well.
Here is my list of 15 songs to add to your playlist.
- The GREASE soundtrack is fantastic. There are definitely songs in here to add. My first would be SUMMER NIGHTS. With lyrics that begin, “Summer Lovin’ had me a Blast”, who would not want this song on the top of their list? Olivia Newton John and John Travolta make this song fun.
- Keeping with the same soundtrack is YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT. “The one I need, oh yes indeed.” Everyone knows and loves to sing and move to it.
- The third must have from the soundtrack is WE GO TOGETHER. It’s the final song of the movie and it leaves everyone on a high. There are other great ones on the soundtrack, but those are the top 3.
- There are two versions of CALIFORNIA GIRLS but I actually like David Lee Roth’s better than the Beach Boys. Which ever one is your favorite should be added to this list.
- As for the Beach Boys, you must have SURFIN’ USA. Everybody’s gone surfin’, surfin’ USA.” If this is not summer party music, I do not know what is.
- Staying with the Beach Boys, be sure to add KOKOMO.
- Jan & Dean’s SURF CITY is always a good song to load up for the beach. Such fun lyrics as “You know we’re goin’ to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy.” - The Drifters famous UNDER THE BOARDWALK is another must-have. This is probably the first song I think of when I think of summer beach music. Some lyrics include, “Oooooh, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
on a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be. - Jimmy Buffet’s MARGARITAVILLE is another song most people know and love to sing in the summer. Who does not know, “Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville , Searching for my lost shaker of salt , Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame, But I know it’s nobody’s fault”
- One that is always popular in the summer is LOVE SHACK by the B-52’s. I’m not sure if its upbeat sound of the song, but it really makes you sing and dance.
- Van Morrison’s BROWN EYED GIRL is very popular in the summertime. “Do you remember when we used to sing,
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da” - Sly and the Family Stone’s HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME is another summer time must have on your song list.
- SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME, some, some summertime by the Jamies will get you singing on any hot day.
- The Surfaris, WIPE OUT is as big a summer time beach music song as you can get. The laugh at the beginning is known by almost everyone and the song just gets better from there.
- My last beach party classic song is BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP by the Foundations. It just makes you feel so good and isn’t that what beach party music is all about?
Those are my top 15 but others to give a thought to adding include ITSY, BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI by Brian Hyland, THE PINA COLADA SONG by Rupert Holmes, I KISSED A GIRL by Katy Perry, I LOVE ROCK N ROLL by JOAN JETT, MACARENA by Los del Rio, LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA by Ricky Martin and OLD TIME ROCK N’ ROLL by Bob Seger.
Now, add some of your personal favorites and the music will be a big hit for any summer party or beach trip.
