The summer has arrived, so it's time to add the songs that best describe the season to your playlists. When you're driving with the windows down, grilling in your backyard, or just sitting by the pool, the right summer music can make any scene feel like it belongs in a movie.
The problem is that it's not always simple to discover the best summer music. Because of this, it's useful to know about the songs of summer occurrence. It's more scientific than you might think.
What Makes a Song Scream "Summer"?
Not every song can be called a summer classic. Every summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Billboard Songs of Summer list tracks sales, airplay, and streaming to find the season's biggest hits.
What's the trade secret? Think of melodies that you can't get out of your head after the song is over, beats that make you want to dance, and words that make you feel like summer. The best songs, whether they're country summer songs or hip-hop hits, have a summery vibe that makes them stand out.
Right Now, These Songs Are the Best for Summer 2025
Let's talk about what's really in style this summer. The number one song in Billboard's 2025 midseason rankings is "Ordinary" by Alex Warren. This shows that sometimes the most familiar songs have the biggest effects. This sad pop song about love has that perfect summer romance vibe that makes you want to roll down the windows and sing along to red lights.
Although it is interesting to note that Morgan Wallen has pretty much taken over the other five top songs with "What I Want" featuring Tate McRae, "Just In Case," and "I'm The Problem." The man is having a great summer, which is something most artists can only dream of. As for #4, "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA is still going strong with its smooth R&B summer feel that sounds different at night.
Do you notice a pattern? A lot of people love country music right now, but it's not the country your grandfather knew. There are pop sensibilities, production from the streaming age, and country stories in these cross-genre collaborations. Wallen's work with Tate McRae is the best example of this. Their summer hits combine pop appeal with country heart, making them perfect for both backyard parties and music events.
"Ordinary" by Alex Warren is number one, which shows that sometimes the most relevant songs are the ones that get people most excited. Editors at Spotify said that this season would be ruled by that exuberant pop energy.
The Greatest Stories About Summer
Though we're listening to the hits of 2025, let's remember the old songs. It sounds like a list of famous people: Billboard's list of the best summer songs of all time.
Five of the best summer songs ever:
- "I'll Be Missing You" - Faith Evans and Puff Daddy with 112
- "The Boy Is Mine" - Monica and Brandy
- "Tossin' and Turnin'" - Bobby Lewis
- "Blurred" - Thicke
- "Despacito" - Justin Bieber and Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee
The feelings in these songs are not only summertime feelings, but summer feelings squished into three-minute chunks that take you back to certain places and times.
Genre-Hopping: The Wide Range of Summer Music
This is cool about summer songs: they come from all over the world. That's how fair the season is. You have these:
- There are more country summer songs than ever before. With her music, Morgan Wallen shows that country songs that feel like summer can be very successful.
- It's always in style to feel like summer. Think about Donna Summer's music (rest in peace, queen). Hits like "I Feel Love" and "Last Dance" are still played on dance floors decades after they were first released.
- Right now, people really like tastes from around the world. With the spread of Afro-fusion music around the world, artists like Tyla bring that infectious energy that makes you feel something even if you can't understand the words.
The Best Way to Make a Summer Playlist
You don't have to just look at the charts to find good summer songs. Sometimes the best finds come from going deeper into things you already love. Genrefinder.app and other similar apps can help you figure out what kind of music a song you love is and find other songs that make you feel the same way.
Finding new songs in the summer is fun because it makes you feel things. Do those songs make you think of summer? A lot of people sing them, even if they don't become big hits.
What Will Happen This Summer 2025?
Even though it's in the middle of summer, the best songs usually become popular as the season goes on. Pay attention to:
- "Party 4 U" by Charli XCX—because you listen when she sings about summer
- No, the Afro-fusion style is not going away. "Show Me Love" by Tyla, WizTheMc, and bees & honey shows that.
- One of Benson Boone's songs called "Mystical Magical" is very lively.
Most of the time, sad songs are about the end of summer. You listen to these songs on your last days at the beach, at parties, and when you go shopping for school supplies. They make you wish the season would last a little longer.
Your Summer Soundtrack is Ready for You
Summer songs are one of a kind because they are both very general and very personal. The top summer songs on Billboard, that odd song your friend played that one perfect night, and the summer songs you found on YouTube at 2 a.m. could all be on your list of the best summer songs.
Summer 2025 has it all, from Alex Warren's perfect love-themed pop to Morgan Wallen's power in country crossover. The season's music is lively, varied, and ready to go on any adventures you have planned.
No matter if you like "Ordinary" or "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" from last year, the best summer songs are the ones that make you feel like your summer is the main character's moment. You are in charge of putting together the music, so make it good.