Special Report

The Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born

Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

More than other seasons, people associate a song, or songs, with summer. It’s not hard to understand why. Kids are out of school and have free time. And even when they work over the summer, they’re listening to the radio, and hearing the same songs over and over. 

For those in the workforce all year, that’s when many take vacation and they associate time off with a song played during the season.

There’s a certain vibe about summer — better weather, free time, a carefree spirit, a liberating drive along the beach, partying to all hours with your best friends, new or rekindled romances. And people associate the fun, or the heartbreak, with a summer song.

To determine the song of the summer you were born in, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the highest Billboard Hot 100 ranking song released during June, July, and August for every year between 1958 and 2021. We used the total number of weeks on the Billboard chart to break ties. 

Summer songs aren’t necessarily songs that have summer in the lyrics, like Eddie Cochran’s anthemic and well-covered “Summertime Blues.” It can be a song from a movie, such as “Grease,” which produced “You’re the One That I Want” that topped the charts in June of 1978. 

But some of the most memorable summer songs are tunes about love that drifted away with the breezes of the season, like Frank Sinatra’s wistful version of “Summer Wind,” released in August of 1966. 

Summer may be transitory, but the songs we associate with it are locked away in our memories. 

Click here to see the song of the summer the year you were born

1958: Poor Little Fool by Ricky Nelson (tie)
> Released: August 11
> Weeks on chart: 4

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Keystone / Getty Images

1958: Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu by Domenico Modugno (tie)
> Released: August 11
> Weeks on chart: 4

Courtesy of Amazon

1958: Song by The Elegants (tie)
> Released: August 11
> Weeks on chart: 4

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1959: The Battle Of New Orleans by Johnny Horton
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 19

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1960: Cathy’s Clown by The Everly Brothers (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 17

1960: Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool by Connie Francis (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 17

Courtesy of Amazon

1961: Tossin’ And Turnin’ by Bobby Lewis
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 19

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1962: Stranger On The Shore by Mr. Acker Bilk
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 21

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

1963: He’s So Fine by The Chiffons
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 15

alberta_archives / Flickr

1964: Hello, Dolly! by Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 22

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1965: Help Me, Rhonda by The Beach Boys (tie)
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 14

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Arnie Lee (Arnielee) / Wikimedia Commons

1965: I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) by Four Tops (tie)
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 14

Rogers / Getty Images

1966: Strangers In The Night by Frank Sinatra
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 15

1967: Windy by The Association
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 14

Central Press / Getty Images

1968: Light My Fire by The Doors
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 18

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1969: Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) by The 5th Dimension
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 17

1970: Everything Is Beautiful by Ray Stevens (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 15

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1970: American Woman/No Sugar Tonight by The Guess Who (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 15

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

1970: Mama Told Me (Not To Come) by Three Dog Night (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 15

1971: Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) by The Raiders
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 21

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

1972: The Candy Man by Sammy Davis, Jr. with The Mike Curb Congregation
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 21

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1973: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree by Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 23

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1974: Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 21

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

1975: Before The Next Teardrop Falls by Freddy Fender (tie)
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 21

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1975: Philadelphia Freedom by The Elton John Band (tie)
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 21

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1976: December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) by The 4 Seasons
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 27

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1977: I’m Your Boogie Man by KC And The Sunshine Band
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 23

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1978: Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 27

1979: I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 27

Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1980: Call Me by Blondie (tie)
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 25

Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1980: Another Brick In The Wall (Part II) by Pink Floyd (tie)
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 25

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David Redfern / Getty Images

1981: Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 28

Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

1982: Chariots Of Fire – Titles by Vangelis
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 28

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1983: Beat It by Michael Jackson
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 25

Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1984: Hello by Lionel Richie (tie)
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 24

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1984: Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins (tie)
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 24

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

1985: Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 24

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1986: On My Own by Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 23

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1987: Always by Atlantic Starr (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 22

1987: Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship (tie)
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 22

Courtesy of Amazon

1988: Wishing Well by Terence Trent D’Arby
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 25

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1989: Wind Beneath My Wings (From “Beaches”) by Bette Midler
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 26

Spencer Platt / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1990: Hold On by Wilson Phillips (tie)
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 24

1990: Black Velvet by Alannah Myles (tie)
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 24

1991: One More Try by Timmy T.
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 25

John Lamparski / Stringer / Getty Images North America

1992: Save The Best For Last by Vanessa Williams
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 27

1993: Informer by Snow
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 25

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1994: The Sign by Ace Of Base
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 35

Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1995: Creep by TLC
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 32

Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1996: Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) by Los Del Rio
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 37

Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images

1997: Un-Break My Heart by Toni Braxton
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 42

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Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1998: Candle In The Wind 1997/Something About The Way You Look Tonight by Elton John
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 42

Brenda Chase / Online USA, Inc. / Getty Images

1999: …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 32

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

2000: Smooth by Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
> Released: July 31
> Weeks on chart: 57

2001: Angel by Shaggy Featuring Rayvon
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 28

Buda Mendes / Getty Images

2002: How You Remind Me by Nickelback
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 49

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

2003: In Da Club by 50 Cent
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 30

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2004: The Way You Move by OutKast Featuring Sleepy Brown
> Released: June 5
> Weeks on chart: 39

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2005: Let Me Love You by Mario
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 36

2006: You’re Beautiful by James Blunt
> Released: June 3
> Weeks on chart: 38

Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

2007: Say It Right by Nelly Furtado
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 30

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2008: Low by Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 40

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

2009: Just Dance by Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis
> Released: August 16
> Weeks on chart: 49

Francois Durand / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2010: I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
> Released: June 27
> Weeks on chart: 56

Jemal Countess / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2011: Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
> Released: August 7
> Weeks on chart: 48

Steven Lawton / FilmMagic via Getty Images

2012: Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO Featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 68

Roger Kisby / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2013: Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz
> Released: June 1
> Weeks on chart: 46

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Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2014: Dark Horse by Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J
> Released: June 7
> Weeks on chart: 48

Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2015: Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 50

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2016: Sorry by Justin Bieber
> Released: June 4
> Weeks on chart: 42

Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2017: Closer by The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey
> Released: August 20
> Weeks on chart: 52

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Paul Kane / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2018: Perfect by Ed Sheeran
> Released: June 2
> Weeks on chart: 51

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2019: Girls Like You by Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B (tie)
> Released: June 9
> Weeks on chart: 52

Rich Fury / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2019: Sicko Mode by Travis Scott (tie)
> Released: August 18
> Weeks on chart: 52

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Noam Galai / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2020: Circles by Post Malone
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 51

Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2021: Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
> Released: June 6
> Weeks on chart: 89

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