The summer months always bring to mind vacations, barbecues and good music. Some of my favorite tunes for the summer months include “Summertime” by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and “School’s Out for Summer” by Alice Cooper. Both songs are timeless tunes that describe the joys of summer.
I have put together a list of what I think are the top ten songs to enjoy during the summer months.
No. 1
My favorite summer song is Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” (1991). A playful and flirtatious song, it takes me back to my younger days. It also demonstrates the range of Will Smith’s talent. Before he began acting, he was the rapping sidekick to DJ Jazzy Jeff. In this hit, the artists describe the joys of summer, relationships and recreation. “Summertime” features a catchy beat and a contagious hook that draws you into the song. Lyrics include, “Sitting with your friends cause y’all reminisce about the days growing up and the first person you kiss. And as I think back makes me wonder how the smell from a grill could spark up nostalgia.”
No. 2
Conversely, the No. 2 song, “School’s Out for Summer” (1972) by Alice Cooper, is a little more radical. In this single, Cooper proclaims, “School’s out for summer, School’s out forever, School’s been blown to pieces, No more pencils, No more books, No more teacher’s dirty looks. Cooper’s song is an in-your-face celebration of the freedom that summer brings with it. The anthem is radical but yet fun!
No. 3
Grease “Summer Nights” (1978) is my favorite karaoke song to sing with my husband. The lyrics are fun, nostalgic and conjure memories of the hit movie, “Grease.” My favorite lines from the song are: ” summer days driftin’ away, to uh-oh those summer nights. Summer sun, something’s begun, but uh-oh those summer nights. Tell me more, tell me more, like did he have a car — ”
No. 4
Nelly’s “It’s Gettin’ Hot In Here” (2002) is summer fun dance hit. Lyrics include “It’s getting’ hot in here…let’s take off all our clothes.” From his album, ” Nellyville,” it falls in the No. 4 spot. The song is fun and easy to move to.
No. 5
“Kokomo” by the Beach Boys (1988) is another timeless favorite. It touts some great vacation spots. The song begins, “Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you, Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama, Key Largo, Montego baby why don’t we go, Jamaica, Off the Florida Keys, There’s a place called Kokomo, That’s where you wanna go to get away from it all.” Just listening to the song makes me want to go on vacation. Kokomo is another karaoke favorite that people of all ages love.
No. 6
Bryan Adams – “Summer Of ’69” (1985). Audiences always enjoy this sing-a-long song. Apparently, there is some controversy surrounding exactly what the title concerns; however it is a timeless favorite. Bryan Adams, who was only 9 years old in 1969, says it refers to a love affair. However, his songwriting partner Jim Vallance disagrees seeing other possible inspirations such as the film Summer Of ’42. Regardless of the origin, audiences enjoy it.
No. 7
Surfin USA by the Beach Boys ( 1963) is only one of the groups’ many songs that celebrates summer as a lifestyle. The song is set to the melody of Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and he was eventually given sole songwriting credit.
No. 8
Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” (1980) is a timeless classic that does not include a summer theme, but does include a strong message of relaxation. I included the song because the summer break is always reason to celebrate.
No. 9
Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” (2008) is a summer fave that never reached its full potential in the United States. Lyrically it is describes summer fun and creates a feeling of nostalgia.
No. 10
Sly and the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime” (1969) is an oldie but goodie. It highlights the fun and games that people enjoy during the summer. The hit was released in the wake of the band’s high-profile performance at Woodstock. The song includes these lyrics, “End of the spring and here she comes back. Hi Hi Hi Hi there. Them summer days, those summer days. That’s when I had most of my fun.”
That rounds out my list. I am sure I have overlooked some good songs.
