We all know the summer time, with the sun shining and
possibly a BBQ on the go or a road trip with the windows down; is made all the
better by music playing in the background. There’s something magical about the
summer time, with memories of summer holidays and playing at the park,
everything that summer is ingrained in your
memory soundtracked by the summer hits of that year with an Instagram filter or two, forever. From chilled summery tunes to bass ridden club hits; for the parties of the season, summer is the prime time for new releases.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular summer hits over the past few decades, from what we listened to as kids; to what our parents used to ‘boogie’ to as teens.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular summer hits over the past few decades, from what we listened to as kids; to what our parents used to ‘boogie’ to as teens.
1960’s
Chubby Check The Twist
A classic at any party a parent may be at, with a popular
dance move to go with it (the key to many a popular summer hit) - namely a bend of the knees and a twist of the torso
followed by some crazy arm movements, this caught on like a house on fire and soon everybody was ‘twisting'.
Little Eva Locomotion
We’ve all heard Kylie’s version of this classic singalong released in 1988, but Little Eva made it the popular track it is now way back
in 1962. Again, this song brought with it a popular dance move, pretending to
be a train? I don’t know why but it worked, and this song is as popular now as it
was back then.
The Beach Boys I Get Around
Seeming to be the background
track for any modern day movie that wants to make it very clear its set in a time
before present day & with easy to remember lyrics and a ‘rad’ summery feel, it’s
clear to see why it was popular. You only need to look at their band name to figure out why they created such cult summer classics. A carefree blonde boyband dancing on the beach - what's not to love?
1970’s
Frankie Valli Grease
With the hit musical Grease being released in 1978, it’s only
fair that the soundtrack was just as popular. The title song ‘Grease’ by
Frankie Valli was written for the movie and as the lyrics suggest - ‘it’s got groove, it’s got feeling’. With a new
wave of Rock and Roll becoming ever more prominent in the Seventies and the song
having a very strong electric guitar throughout, it’s clear to see why the song has stood the test of time as a classic
summer hit.
Anita Bell Ring My Bell
With the seventies came the era of the disco, and this song
is the epitome of disco. With the soft husky voice of Anita Bell and a catchy
chorus it’s easy to see why this would be a massive hit. The summers discos
had a treat the year this was released. Listening to this even today makes me
want to find the biggest flares I can find and buy some roller blades.
Diana Ross Ain't No Mountain High Enough
After international success with girl group The Supremes, Diana Ross embarked on her solo career at the start of the Seventies - and what a treat she had in
store. 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' like many a classic song has been
used endlessly in movies scores during a moment in need of an inspirational
feel good song, most famously in the movie Sister Act. With a disco rhyme and
a soulful edge, it’s easy to listen to and even easier to sing along to. A
perfect laying in the park on a sunny day kind of song.
1980’s
Eurythmics Sweet Dreams
If you know who Annie Lennox is, you no doubt
know and love this song. With the Eighties came the now synonymous wave of R'n'B, Pop and Electro music - meaning this song was an all-round hit with the synth generation of the time and still remains to be today. This is one of those songs
that will never die, especially having been sampled many times since - most
famously by Marilyn Manson on his 1995 'Smells Like Children' EP.
The Human League Don’t You Want Me
A tale of two lovers meeting at a cocktail bar, this 80’s
hit is still played at parties all over the world. The perfect pre-drinks song for uni
students (well in my experience anyway - being a typical sing-a-long song) also perfect for belting out at a BBQ or party when you may or may not have had
one too many glasses of Pimm’s. Currently boasting over 42 million views on YouTube,
there’s no disputing that this is indeed a much loved classic.
Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance With Somebody
With the renaissance of pop rearing its head, songs like 'I Wanna
Dance with Somebody' were becoming more and more frequent. However, few have
stuck around like this Whitney Houston Classic. It’s a running theme among most
summer hits throughout the decades that go on to become songs still loved and enjoyed to the
fullest even today - and this song is no exception.
Madonna Papa Don’t Preach
Madonna (formally know as The Queen of Pop) released arguably her most famous track in 1986, 'Papa Don’t Preach'; the most popular song from her album 'True Blue'. Again, this is one of those song everyone knows the lyrics to. Along
with the classic Madonna signature look of drawn on beauty marks, fishnet
gloves and bleach blond hair becoming as popular as her music, she definitely made her stamp on the 80’s with this song.
1990’s
Roxette It Must Have Been Love
The start of the Nineties saw this leftover from the 80’s, a
perfect heartbreak song, see it's revival. This is a classic end-of-the-night
song, where too many jaeger bombs have been consumed and you’re drunkenly
swaying with your friends even though the lights have all been turned on and
nearly everyone has gone home.
Colour Me Badd I Wanna Sex You Up
This R'n'B inspired song is a classic cheesy anthem and has probably
embarrassed at least some of us at some point in our lives. (Side Note: If you want a laugh and/or a gimpse into the horrors
of Nineties fashion, please click play on the video. It's genuinely hilarious.)
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squad goals tbh |
Shaggy Boombastic
Now this one is a personal favourite. Released in 1995, this song has been a part of my life since the very start. If
you say you don’t like this song, please excuse me if I don’t believe you. With
a reggae influence and Shaggy's usual mumbling, this is a perfect cheesy, sitting
in the sun song. Even if you can only understand the parts where he says ‘Mr
Boombastic.
2000’s
Beyoncé Crazy in Love
Still to this day this song is played in every club with any
taste (If you weren't aware already I love Beyoncé, so of course I would say that). Beyoncé went solo in the
early 2000’s and it’s safe to say we were so ready for it. Her (and Destiny’s Child's) music was consistently number one and a summer hit nearly every year in the early
noughties. Unlike today's Beyoncé, her music back then had a heavy R'n'B
influence that was incredibly popular through the late nineties and early 2000’s - adding to the extreme success of 'Crazy in Love' as well as Jay-Z's feature on the track (bringing a trendy hip-hop vibe).
Sean Kingston Beautiful Girls
It’s safe to say that this song annoyed a vast majority of
those subjected to it in 2007 on it's release, although on seeing the
title again for the first time in years; I then proceeded to sing it in its entirety. It's clear that once a song is around for a summer of your life, it never leaves
you. This catchy pop tune won't be going anywhere soon.
Evanescence Bring Me To Life
Whether you had a scene phase in your early teens or you didn't; you know
about this song. A heavy rock song with 'screamo' vocals; it became unusually popular during the summer
of 2003 and was the hit song for many, with massive popularity among emo kids day drinking at shopping centres to this day.
Rihanna Rude Boy
A heavily reggae influenced song from ‘Bad Gal RiRi’ took over 2009, again catchy and fun, which is usually a theme for summer anthems. A seductive sexy song typical of Rihanna with a summer feel a party favourite even today!
2010-2016
Gotye & Kimbra Somebody That I Used To Know
Before this song's release, Gotye wasn’t well known and this was an unexpected hit for the summer. It’s fair to say pretty much everyone was obsessed and it was heard everywhere for the rest of the year. A chilled, relaxed song perfect for listening to in the garden.
Katy Perry California Gurls
This song is a classic summery pop anthem, a feelgood sing-a-long song all about America's Golden Coast. This was heard everywhere during the Summer of 2010; and I will admit to having danced in the garden of a few house
parties to this summer classic.
David Zowie House Every Weekend
A bass-rich house track popular in the summer of 2015 among the club scene and cars belonging to anyone inbetween the ages of 17-27 - just about anywhere with a music system, really.
Zara Larsson Lush Life
This song is EVERYWHERE - especially as of the recent heatwave over here in Blighty. A playful summery bop reminiscent of hazy days in the foreign rays, this is the perfect track for when you just need to let go and relax for a while.
Over the last few decades we have covered every genre and
style of music the world has yet to offer us, with every change in fashion,
art, and general society comes a new taste in music and with every summer comes more cheesy, vibrant and wonderful summer hits.
Sun just makes music that little bit sweeter.
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