10 Vintage Summer Songs You Forgot About
Put on your dancing shoes and get to groovin'.
Summer is here. Hello to longer days frolicking in the sun, enjoying the outdoors, and taking a much-needed break from the regular routines of adulthood. To me, nothing ushers in the summer like a perfectly curated playlist that sets the vibes. Songs that take you back to a moment in time with people you love or capture how you’re feeling.
Whether you’re getting ready to host friends, take a dip in the pool, or drive along a gorgeous coastline chasing the sunset, you need the perfect tunes. Although we’re a long way from using Limewire to burn a CD, it’s still fun to curate a playlist for the season or special occasions. From summer release dates to summer chart toppers, we’ve curated a list of vintage summer songs you forgot about (probably) — that should be in heavy rotation this season.
"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Dropping in 1991, this classic by the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (aka Will Smith) is a surefire hit to get the vibes flowing. After all, the chorus truly indicates what we all want to do: “Summer, summer, summertime. Time to sit back and unwind.”
Whitney Houston – "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
When you think about a song that makes you want to run to the dance floor, it's this one. The beat, the vocals, the lyrics...this song screams summer (and every season). And, it's been a hit since its release in 1987!
Alice Cooper – "School's Out"
It's 1987. It's the last day of school before summer break, and suddenly, everyone is bumping this new anthem to celebrate a few weeks free of alarms, late-night cram sessions, homework, and after-school activities.
NSYNC – "Bye Bye Bye"
Do we even need to discuss why this song is a summer smash? "Bye Bye Bye" brings a charm and nostalgia to summer breaks, and we're here for it.
Montell Jordan – "This Is How We Do It"
It's clear that we love the bops, and on the cusp of summer 1995, Montell gave us a true anthem. His song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and held that spot for 7 weeks.
"Lose Control"- Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara, & Fat Man Scoop
Millennials, brace yourselves. Some of our beloved tracks from our youth are now officially in vintage status (twenty years or older). But that’s okay, because Missy Elliot’s "Lose Control" featuring Ciara and the late Fat Man Scoop is still one of the best hype songs of all time.
Sheryl Crow – "Soak Up The Sun"
While the lyrical meaning behind Sheryl Crow's 2002 hit has been widely discussed and debated by critics, "Soak Up The Sun" reminds us that, despite what's happening in our lives (or the world), we should enjoy it where we can. Can we say, summer mood?
Ricky Martin – "Livin' La Vida Loca"
In the summer of 1999, Ricky Martin was dominating the radios and dance floors around the world. "Livin' La Vida Loca" was a chart-topper, reaching number 1 in 20 countries!
"Walking On Sunshine" - Katrina And The Waves
We've heard many versions of this song since its 1985 release, but each one puts us in a summer mood. There's something kind of poetic rediscovering how much of a bad ass you are — Katrina is here to remind us all summer long!
The Beach Boys – "Surfin' Safari / Surfin' USA"
Often credited for surfin' and beach culture due to its catchy lyrics, no list of summer jams is complete without The Beach Boys' 1963 hit. Trust me, everyone listening to your playlist will be grateful for this throwback bop!
Ronny Maye is an award-nominated versatile writer from Eastern North Carolina with a focus on travel and lifestyle. She started sharing her adventures to create a space and encourage marginalized yet curious people to see the world around them. Her favorite things to write about are cultural experiences, wellness, service-oriented pieces, hidden gem destinations, travel trends, cocktail culture, and reviews. She has contributed to publications such as Essence, Insider, Real Simple, Yahoo Canada, Reader's Digest UK, The Points Guy, Fodor's Travel, AAA Living, Forbes, Matador Network, VisitJax, Orlando Magazine, Tampa Magazine, Discover Durham, and more.
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