Special Report

Most Popular Songs About Summer

Hulton Archive / Archive Photos via Getty Images

No matter where you live, summertime has a definite vibe, expressing fun, relaxation, and freedom. From beachside vacations to fiery flings to backyard barbecues, the quintessential activities of summer are often immortalized in pop songs. (These are the biggest pop hits of the past 20 years.)

To determine the 50 most popular songs about summer – some of them outright tributes to the season and its pleasures, others evoking summer only glancingly but still definitive of the warmer months – 24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Songs about summer were ranked based on an inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point. Chart data is current through the week of July 1, 2023.

Click here for a list of the most popular songs about summer

The most popular songs about summer include rock, country, rap, R&B, and dance hits from the ‘60s to today. The list features some timeless classics like the Surfaris’ 1963 surf-rock instrumental “Wipe Out” and the Drifters’ 1964 doo-wop single “Under the Boardwalk.” Modern hits by the likes of Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Cardi B, and Demi Lovato are also included. 

Three songs by the Beach Boys – arguably the ultimate summer band – made the cut, as did two duets featuring margarita enthusiast Jimmy Buffett. (Check out these 21 classic summer cocktails to beat the heat.)

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

50. The Drifters, “Under the Boardwalk'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: June 27, 1964

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

49. Martha & The Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Aug. 22, 1964

Gems / Redferns via Getty Images

48. The Hues Corporation, “Rock the Boat'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: May 25, 1974

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

47. Seals & Crofts, “Summer Breeze'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Sept. 9, 1972

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

46. The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Oct. 22, 1966

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

45. Fat Boys & the Beach Boys, “Wipeout'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 12 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 11, 1987

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Michael Ochs Archives / Moviepix via Getty Images

44. Madonna, “La Isla Bonita'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 4 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: March 21, 1987

Courtesy of John Travolta via Facebook

43. John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John & Cast, “Summer Nights'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Aug. 5, 1978

42. Zac Brown Band, “Toes'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 25 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Aug. 8, 2009

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41. Kid Rock, “All Summer Long'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 23 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 19, 2008

Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

40. Bryan Adams, “Summer of ’69′”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: June 29, 1985

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CA / Redferns via Getty Images

39. Brian Hyland, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 4, 1960

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

38. Sly & The Family Stone, “Hot Fun in the Summertime'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Aug. 9, 1969

Jim Steinfeldt / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

37. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, “Summertime'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 4 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: June 15, 1991

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Nathan Cox / Getty Images

36. Katrina And The Waves, “Walking on Sunshine'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: March 23, 1985

Courtesy of LFO via Facebook

35. LFO, “Summer Girls'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 17, 1999

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Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

34. The Beach Boys, “I Get Around'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: May 23, 1964

Courtesy of King Harvest via Facebook

33. King Harvest, “Dancing in the Moonlight'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 13 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Oct. 28, 1972

Theo Wargo / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

32. Zac Brown Band ft. Jimmy Buffett, “Knee Deep'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 18 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: May 28, 2011

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David Warner Ellis / Redferns via Getty Images

31. John Denver, “Sunshine on My Shoulders'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 26, 1974

Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

30. Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 17 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: June 28, 2003

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

29. Ace Of Base, “Cruel Summer'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 10 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 18, 1998

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

28. Otis Redding, “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 27, 1968

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

27. Demi Lovato, “Cool for the Summer'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 11 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 18, 2015

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Hulton Archive / Archive Photos via Getty Images

26. Commodores, “Easy'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: June 4, 1977

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

25. Don Henley, “The Boys of Summer'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Nov. 10, 1984

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David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

24. Richard Marx, “Endless Summer Nights'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 23, 1988

Tim Roney / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

23. Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch ft. Loleatta Holloway, “Good Vibrations'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 20, 1991

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

22. Jimmy Buffett, “Margaritaville'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 8 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 2, 1977

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Kristian Dowling / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

21. Justin Timberlake, “Summer Love'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 28, 2007

20. 2Pac, “I Get Around'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 11 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: July 3, 1993

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

19. The Beach Boys, “Kokomo'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Sept. 3, 1988

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

18. The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: March 23, 1963

Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

17. Blondie, “The Tide is High'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Nov. 15, 1980

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

16. Donna Summer, “Hot Stuff'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 21, 1979

Courtesy of LEN via Facebook

15. Len, “Steal My Sunshine'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Aug. 14, 1999

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14. Aaliyah, “Rock the Boat'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 14 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Sept. 8, 2001

Adam Bettcher / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

13. Calvin Harris, “Summer'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 5, 2014

thehearttruth / Flickr

12. Sheryl Crow, “Soak Up the Sun'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 17 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 13, 2002

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

11. The Surfaris, “Wipe Out'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 30 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: June 22, 1963

Chris Hyde / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

10. Coldplay, “Paradise'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 15 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Oct. 1, 2011

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9. Shaggy, “Boombastic/In the Summertime'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: May 20, 1995

Robert Mora / Getty Images

8. Nelly, “Hot in Herre'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: May 4, 2002

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

7. Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg, “California Gurls'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: May 29, 2010

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6. Natasha Bedingfield, “Pocketful of Sunshine'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 35 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Feb. 9, 2008

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

5. Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon, “Peaches'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 30 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 3, 2021

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Rich Fury / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

4. Harry Styles, “Watermelon Sugar'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 39 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Nov. 30, 2019

Tim Boyles / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

3. DNCE, “Cake by the Ocean'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 9 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 46 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Nov. 7, 2015

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2. Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly, “Cruise'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 54 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: Sept. 1, 2012

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Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1. Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 51 weeks
> Entered Hot 100: April 21, 2018

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