Sounds Like Summer: 15 Songs to Kickstart the Season

There’s something magical about the start of summer. School’s out, days stretch longer, and the air carries that sweet scent of sunscreen, cookouts, and fresh-cut grass. For moms like us, it’s a mix of chaos and joy—a time when the house is louder, the fridge emptier, and the calendar fuller. But before the schedules take over, I like to reset my mindset with one of the best mood boosters I know: a good playlist.

Music helps me shift gears. It signals to my brain and body that it’s time to loosen up and embrace what’s coming. Whether it’s a pool day, a road trip, or just a dance party in the kitchen while I fold laundry, these songs bring sunshine into my soul—and hopefully yours too.

Here are 15 songs that get me ready for summer. Pop them on, roll down the windows, and let the season begin.

“Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves

It’s impossible not to smile when this plays. Pure energy, pure joy.

“Suddenly I See” – KT Tunstall

This one always makes me feel like the lead in a summer movie montage. Empowering and bright.

“Soak Up the Sun” – Sheryl Crow

A chill reminder to lighten up and take in the good stuff.

“Vacation” – The Go-Go’s

Whether you’re actually traveling or just dreaming of it, this song sets the mood.

“Cruel Summer” – Bananarama

A little retro drama never hurts. It’s the soundtrack for those hot, sticky days when everything feels just a little intense.

“Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles

A gentle classic. Feels like that first warm day after a long winter.

“American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

For driving fast with the windows down and nowhere to be.

“Edge of Seventeen” – Stevie Nicks

A little mystical, a little wild. It’s that feeling of being on the edge of something fun.

“I’m Coming Out” – Diana Ross

A celebration of identity, freedom, and joy. What summer is all about.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper

This is the anthem. Blast it and sing at the top of your lungs with your daughters.

“Dancing in the Street” – Martha and the Vandellas

A classic that reminds us summer is for movement and music.

“Love Shack” – The B-52’s

Silly, strange, and impossible not to dance to.

“Heat Wave” – Linda Ronstadt

This Motown remake packs vocal power and sizzle—perfect for steamy summer nights.

“Under the Boardwalk” – The Drifters (covered by Bette Midler)

Romantic, breezy, and nostalgic. It feels like a walk on the sand with the tide rolling in.

“Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain” – The Judds

A front-porch favorite with a beat that turns any summer storm into a celebration.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed already by the thought of sunscreen applications and snack duty, pause for a moment. Turn up the volume. Let the music remind you of the magic this season holds—for you and your family.

Let’s make it a summer worth dancing through.