The Soundtracks of Summers Past
If it’s your goal to make 2025 the year you have the best summer ever, take some inspiration from the summers of the past and the songs that defined them. Let’s look back at a few select songs of the summer across the decades. While these top hits are a musical time capsule, you can probably find many of them on your current summer playlists. Even if you haven’t heard some of these songs in a while, you’ll probably still know the lyrics by heart.
The 2020s
I’m going to hold your hand when I say this—we’re already halfway through the decade. Sorry to trigger any existential dread, but YOLO (remember that?), so enjoy these songs while you’re in the moment because one day they’ll be vintage classics.
“Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan (2020/2025)
First released in 2020, “Pink Pony Club” had its moment as a song of the summer contender, a status solidified by its resurgence in popularity this year when it hit the top spot on Billboard’s pop charts in April following Chappell Roan’s 2025 Grammy win as the Best New Artist.
“Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift (2023)
There really is nothing better than listening to a song about summer during summer. Pop queen Taylor Swift knows how to create a moment, and “Cruel Summer” from her Lover era
“Butter” by BTS (2021)
Butter yellow might be a trending color this year, but back in 2021 the song dominated the charts. International sensation BTS know how to make a hit that makes us “hot like summer, yeah, I’m making you sweat like that.”
“Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles (2020)
“Watermelon Sugar” was Styles’s first track to hit high on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, where it reached the number-one single. This song also won him the 2021 Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance, which is sweet like “strawberries on a summer evening.”
The 2010s
Galaxy print and chevron. Mustache everything. Vine trends. Tumblr and vloggers rule the internet. Dabbing every chance you get. Welcome to the 2010s.
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus (2019)
This unexpected collaboration between the young rapper Lil Nas X and veteran country artist Billy Ray Cyrus stampeded its way to the top of the charts to corral off the decade.
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran (2017)
The guitar-strumming, redheaded Brit we all know and love really made a mark on the music scene of the 2010s. Not only was his 2017 album ‘Divide’ the best selling album in the world in 2017, but Sheeran also made a guest appearance on Game of Thrones.
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen (2012)
This iconic song had everyone in a chokehold in 2012. The Harvard baseball team loved this bop so much they filmed a viral video of themselves dancing to it in the car that got over 20 million views on YouTube.
“California Gurls” by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg (2010)
Is it really summer if you don’t listen to this song as unforgettable as California girls themselves? This track is from Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’ album, which also gave us the summer playlist essentials “Teenage Dream,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”, and “Firework.”
The 2000s
Put on a velour tracksuit (that’s hot!), download these hits from Napster, and transport yourself back to a time when reality TV was at its peak.
“Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus (2009)
Although this song was released in August at the end of summer, I think it still counts as a song of the summer because a Fourth of July playlist isn’t complete without it. Fun fact: this is the first song I ever downloaded onto my yellow ipod nano.
“Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield (2008)
This song is so memorable and instantly recognizable it’s difficult to believe that it didn’t chart in Bedingfield’s home country of the UK.
“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean (2006)
Shakira! Shakira! Her hips don’t lie, and neither does the enduring popularity of this jam that made Shakira a household name.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce feat. JAY-Z (2003)
This song is so iconic that Beyonce, who puts out hit after hit and has recently changed genres altogether with Cowboy Carter, still performs the fan-favorite track in concert.
The 1990s
Ah, the 90s. Flannel, MTV, and the peak era of animated films. The last decade when physical media reigned supreme before streaming and internet brain rot changed the music industry forever. I hope you remember how to burn a CD!
“All Star” by Smash Mouth (1999)
Admit it: the first time you ever heard this song was likely in the Shrek movie. “The years start coming and they don’t stop coming.” Do you feel old yet?
“The Boy is Mine” by Brandy & Monica (1998)
Who doesn’t love a good narrative intro to a song? Brandy and Monica turn the drama of fighting over a boy into a classic R&B hit. Nearly thirty years after the song’s release, Brandy and Monica prove they’re still music powerhouses and have announced they’re collaborating again on their THE BOY IS MINE tour.
“Macarena” (Bayside Boys Mix) by Los Del Rio (1996)
You know the song, and you know the dance. You probably don’t know that the most popular version of this enduring line-dancing song is actually a remix.
“Waterfalls” by TLC (1995)
Although this classic track seems upbeat, its lyrics are actually pretty dark for a top song of the summer. TLC gives the advice to “don’t go chasing waterfalls,” a warning against harmful habits and risks like illegal drugs and HIV/AIDS.
The 1980s
Big hair! Dirty dancing! If the movies are accurate, there was also a lot of smoking and unsupervised children running around. Grab your shoulder pads and let’s go.
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard (1988)
From maybe one of the greatest glam rock albums of all time, this is a go-to song for hot, sticky summer nights.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston (1987)
One of the best to ever do it, Whitney Houston established herself as an unforgettable talent with this unforgettable, punchy dance track that captures the essence of the 80s.
“Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins (1986)
An iconic song for an iconic film, “Danger Zone” was the perfect addition to the Top Gun soundtrack. It creates the perfect slick, synth-heavy background for Maverick’s daredevil stunts.
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor (1982)
The ultimate pump-up song, it’s hard to imagine a better track for Rocky III—which is why it makes sense that Sylvester Stallone, the director and star of the third Rocky film, commissioned Survivor to make a theme song for the film.
The 1970s
Pull on your latex hot pants and chunky, sky-high heels because we’re going dancing at the disco. If we’re lucky, we might get into Studio 54 in time to see Bianca Jagger on a white horse.
“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer (1979)
True to her name, Donna Summer absolutely dominated the summer music charts of the 70s. “Hot Stuff” is an especially sexy, fun disco song made for dancing. We would expect nothing less from the Queen of Disco herself.
“You Should be Dancing” by the Bee Gees (1976)
This is the song playing in John Travolta’s iconic finger-pointing, light-up disco dance floor scene in Saturday Night Fever.
“One of These Nights” by Eagles (1975)
A slick song perfect for neon-drenched summer nights, the Eagles know how to create magic with sexy guitar riffs and falsetto harmonies.
“Live and Let Die” by Wings (1973)
Paul McCartney will always be best known for being in the Beatles, but his band Wings is also legendary in its own right. The theme song of the James Bond film of the same name, “Live and Let Die” joins the legion of some of the most memorable soundtracks ever written.
The 1960s
The decade that gave us Woodstock, the first boy band, and psychedelic prints has some of the best feel-good songs that deserve a permanent spot on your summer playlists year after year.
“Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful (1966)
If you want to romanticize sweating through your clothes, sunburned shoulders, and the exhaustion of a ride home after a late night out, play this song.
“I Get Around” by The Beach Boys (1964)
No summer playlist would be complete without The Beach Boys and their iconic wavering guitar riffs and bright harmonies. Surf’s up!
“(You’re the) Devil in Disguise” by Elvis Presley (1963)
Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll and campy beach films alike, a combo that would seem odd for current rock acts, but it makes sense when you consider that both were popular with teens because of their rebellious, free spirit. That’s also probably why Stitch loves the song, too.
“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini” by Brian Hyland (1960)
One of the most iconic summer songs of all time, it’s easy to trace the influence and aesthetics of this song to modern day musicians like Katy Perry.
