Catch the Sun

Do you hear that? It makes you want to put the top down or float in the pool or hang out with your besties.

It’s the song of the summer.

The “song of the summer” is described as the dominant song between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That leaves plenty of room for debate about the true “song of the summer” each year, though. Let’s just say, you know it when you hear it.

Billboard officially started its “Songs of the Summer” chart in 2010, but has retroactively collected hits back to 1985. But to save you time, we’ve tracked the Top 5 songs from 2000 to 2022, creating the perfect soundtrack for all your summer parties.

The New York Times set out to define it a bit more, creating charts for a very different sort (hint: there's an algorithm). What they found was remarkable similarities among the Top 10 hits of each summer since 1970. So don’t be surprised if this year’s summer bop sounds familiar, but in a feel-good, nostalgic way.

From one-hit wonders to music legends, the playlist lets you travel back in time to more carefree summer days. Grab your sunglasses – and a drink – and have a great summer.