Top 20 Greatest Summer Anthems

If you’re looking to party, this song is the perfect fit. It’s an endlessly upbeat tune that just makes you want to get up and dance. Though the lyrics may not always be profound, they certainly do capture the moment of having a good time, and that’s what summer is all about. The party anthem resonated with people worldwide, earning number one and two spots on the charts in the UK, Canada, and the US. Like its namesake, this song is explosive and it sizzles on the dancefloor every time the warm weather comes around, even a decade after release.

Looking to have a summer fling this year? Drake’s got you covered. Even those who aren’t Drake fans will recognize this catchy hook which became a viral sensation in 2018. The song inspired an Internet dance challenge which helped the track gain rapid success. It rose quickly to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 where it remained for ten consecutive weeks. It even broke records by earning 116.2 million streams in one week. “In My Feelings” has a groovy hip-hop style that we can’t help but nod along to each time we hear it. We’re in our feelings for sure.

Is it just us or is it kind of hot in here? Thanks to Nelly, we haven’t been able to say that without hearing this catchy beat since 2002. The rapper has given us some total bops over the years, including his awesome verse in Florida Georgia Line’s bro-country anthem, “Cruise.” But, we can’t deny the cultural power of “Hot in Herre”. Released in the early aughts, this song helped define not only a decade but an entire generation. As the temperature rises, we can’t stop ourselves from shouting out this song’s most iconic line.

Ah, vacation. It’s wonderful to travel somewhere new and meet new people, especially during the summertime. What’s not wonderful, of course, is having to say goodbye, as is the case in this boppy 1980s tune by all-girl rock band, the Go-Gos. The song marked the end of an era, providing the band with their final top 10 hit in the US before their initial 1985 breakup. And what a way to go out. This new wave rock track is a truly perfect summer song, with a dynamic beat and a great hook. We may not be able to get far away from all our problems, but this song is definitely the escape from real life that we need.

There’s nothing quite as nostalgic as this reminiscent tune and we can guarantee you’ll be taken on a trip as soon as you hear this opening guitar riff. The song tells a story about youth and summer adventure, and remembering the good times. A demo was originally written by Mike Campbell, guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was ultimately decided that the song didn’t suit them, and was subsequently shared with Don Henley. The rest, as they say, is history! Henley had a hit with this track, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and even winning a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. We dare you to try not to sing along when this comes on.

In the years since One Direction went on an official hiatus, Harry Styles has steadily built a thriving solo career. Although his first two albums were successful, his junior album “Harry’s House” is the one that has proven his skills as both a singer and songwriter. In advance of the album’s release, Styles delivered this new wave number and it became an immediate viral sensation. The vivacious and infectiously synthy sound distracts from the themes of the lyrics, which lean rather darker than you might expect from the punchy rhythm. “As It Was”, particularly the bridge of the track, is tailor-made for singing along and maybe even trying to recreate some of the dance moves from the music video.

Anyone who was around in 2012 can attest to the global success of Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit, “Call Me Maybe.” All summer long, this song played on radio stations everywhere and even received two Grammy Award nominations. It’s no fluke this song made such an impact on the music scene. The bubblegum track perfectly captures the innocence and excitement of a crush, all the while pairing it with a recognizable hook. It’s a carefree and bubbly tune that is easily playable throughout the warm summer months and provides the perfect soundtrack to any sunny drive. So roll those windows down and sing along—we know you know the words!

If you hadn’t heard of country rap before “Old Town Road,” you’re not alone. The song is widely credited for introducing the genre to the mainstream with its whirlwind release in 2019. While it was originally recorded as a solo song in 2018, Lil Nas X brought country legend Billy Ray Cyrus on board for a remix in early 2019. The song catapulted to the top of the charts, remaining at number one on Billboard Hot 100 for 19 straight weeks. The earworm evokes strong country symbolism, using the “old town road” imagery to represent riding the road to success. Even if you aren’t normally a fan of country music, this upbeat bop will have you wanting to buy a pair of cowboy boots in no time.

In his 30-year career, Pharrell Williams has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with. His chart-topping hit for the animated film “Despicable Me 2” resulted in numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance and a nomination for Academy Award for Best Original Song. However, his collaboration with French electronic music duo Daft Punk is the song we want to hit repeat on each summer. The song won the collaborators two Grammy Awards and gave the French duo their first top 10 hit in the US. No doubt this song will make you want to stay up all night ‘til the sun.

Is there any band that reflects summer more than the Beach Boys? Sprouting from California in the early ‘60s, the Beach Boys created a sound to define the surfer culture dominating the coast. Their first hit, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” is a worthy addition to any summer playlist. But we have to give credit to “Good Vibrations,” the progressive pop jam that brought the band immeasurable success. The song received a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Group performance and even landed on multiple lists rounding up the top songs of all-time. This song makes us want to turn the volume up and take a cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee teamed up to record this romantic and sultry Latin pop track. Upon its initial release, it achieved overall success and critical acclaim, particularly in Latin America. While on tour, Canadian pop artist Justin Bieber approached the singers about recording a remix after hearing the song in a Colombian nightclub. Bieber’s part in the remix was instrumental in making the song a global hit. In 2017, it even tied for the most time spent atop the Billboard Hot 100, at sixteen consecutive weeks. This tune soundtracked the summer of 2017 and has remained a song that we hit repeat on every year when the sun comes out.

In addition to being an iconic friendship duo on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” DJ Jeff Townes and rapper/actor Will Smith also spent the late ‘80s and ‘90s producing some memorable tracks. Among their hits, their most popular and critically successful was “Summertime,” a cool rap that earned the pair a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. The song samples some instrumentation from Kool & the Gang’s “Summer Madness,” adding to its funky beat. It’s an ode to summertime with imagery of driving with the top down and listening to some great tunes.

When you think about Lana Del Rey, you might not immediately think about her potential to deliver a summertime hit. The alt-pop singer leans into the somber persona she’s known for with this crooning number. The song was originally released in mid-2012 and became popular across Europe. However, with the help of French DJ Cedric Gervais, a remix became a major success stateside, and earned Del Rey her first number-one hit in America. “Summertime Sadness” is dreamy and melancholic in all the best ways.

For this pick, we’re going back in time, all the way back to the summer of ‘69… Or the summer of ‘85, we suppose. In this rock sensation, Bryan Adams not only delivers an iconic performance but also masterfully tells a story with his punchy lyrics. The hit has created a lasting legacy for Adams in his home country, Canada, with it remaining a classic even four decades after its initial release. The song had significant success in America too, skyrocketing to number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s a nostalgic joyride that aptly fits the sentimental feeling of summer. And of course, it has to be said that a permanent part of its legacy is the debate over its rather… suggestive lyrics.

Calvin Harris has provided us with a long list of hits as a DJ. But it’s this track, written, produced, and sung by Harris, that proves he’s a triple threat. The EDM banger is crafted with the festival season in mind and lends itself nicely to nights full of partying. It seems that we’re not the only ones who think so either, as it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014. Harris’ track is perfect for describing the passion of a summer romance and it speaks to the feeling of living in the here and now.

Often, we associate summer with optimistic and upbeat songs. While we obviously totally love these kinds of tunes, there’s something to be said about the sadder bops that also fit the mood. Out of this category, “Cruel Summer” is one we adore. This early ‘80s new wave hit is a sonic heat wave, with melancholic lyrics paired with a cool, funky beat. The stellar voices of this girl group come together in a perfect melody that far too easily gets stuck in your head. Whatever your mood, you’ll want to crank this tune loud all summer long.

If there’s one band that exudes party energy, it’s safe to say that it’s LMFAO. Active from 2006 to 2012, the uncle-and-nephew duo is best known for EDM hits released in the two years before their hiatus. They dominated 2011 with a handful of knockout hits, including the confidence anthem “Sexy and I Know It.” When it comes to picking the song for your next summer bash, though, “Party Rock Anthem” is where it's at. It’s hard to stop your feet from moving when you hear this catchy beat. In fact, you’ll probably start “shuffling,” a dance move that was brought to the mainstream with this song. It’ll be a long time before we stop hearing this song at summer raves and for good reason.

Is there anything more quintessentially summer than professing how crazy in love you are? We don’t think so. Coming in hot with her debut album as a solo artist, Beyoncé took the world by storm with this pop, hip hop and R&B mashup. The collaboration with now-husband Jay-Z was lauded by music critics for its funky inspiration and iconic hook. Not only did the track dominate the charts in 2003 but it also landed on the Rolling Stone “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list. There’s nothing that can stop us from strutting our stuff down the streets when this bop comes on and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s no secret that Katy Perry knows how to create a smash hit. No one can deny the power of the 2011 party sensation “Last Friday Night.” Still, when it comes to epitomizing the summertime vibes, it’s all about the ode to the Golden State! The song was written in response to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” which was released a year prior. “California Gurls” achieved massive success worldwide, jumping to number one on the charts and certifying platinum in nine countries. It’s sugary sweet and undeniably contagious, the perfect treat for summer days.

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t nod their head when this song comes on. If you happen to glance our way, though, we’ll be singing at the top of our lungs–don’t mind us. Described by frontman will.i.am as being “dedicated to all the party people out there”, it achieves exactly what it set out to do. With a catchy hook anticipating a good time, laid over a synthesizer track, it’s no wonder this song achieved the success it did. The track seized its spot atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 straight weeks and held the record for most downloaded song on iTunes. Over a decade after its release, DJs still use this pop hit to pump up a crowd and we’re getting out of our seats every time.