Summer Playlist: Happy Songs

Summer is here, and that means road trips if you live in Texas—or you just like taking summer vacations by car.

We’ve been waltzing across Texas since last week. We’ve listened to audiobooks and lots of music from singers entertaining at the wineries and restaurants to the playlists I put together for drive time.

Everything is grist for my writer’s imagination. I’ll probably listen to this playlist as I’m writing my next book.

Summer Music

Here are 18 songs that are perfect for summer road trips. They’re songs the entire family can sing along and seat dance.

This playlist is heavy on the 80′s hits because Darling Hubby and I watching Stranger Things 1 and 2 again before we left.

We’re prepped for Stranger Things 3 which hits Netflix on July 4. We can hardly wait!!

(If you don’t subscribe to Netflix, Stranger Things is a very good reason to start!)

Back to Summer Music

Anyway, back to music. These tunes will make you whistle, sing along, snap your fingers, and generally feel good all over.

I’m giving the Amazon link to each song so you can easily click to listen to each one.

Many of these are in albums, but you can usually buy just the individual song on Amazon or from iTunes. (I think Kokomo is the exception. It only comes on an album on Amazon.)

Many of these are on Amazon Prime music so they’re free to listen to if you’re a Prime member so make a playlist.

If you’re car is equipped with the latest tech, you can play any Amazon Prime playlist you create merely by having the Prime Music app on your phone.

Just connect your phone via Bluetooth. (Data charges may apply depending on your plan.)

1. In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry, 1970. I’ve loved this song since I was a kid. It just makes you want to dance and move with the beat.

2. California Girls by The Beach Boys, 1965. Still a cute, fun song.

3. Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts, 1972. Smooth and laid back like you feel after a frozen margarita.

4. Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran, 1958. A real oldie but it’s a goodie if you ever had to work in the summer.

5. All Summer Long by Kid Rock, 2007. Country rock with music that’s very reminiscent of Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon.

6. Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow, 2002. Hope you get to soak up some sun too.

7. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini by Brian Hyland,1960. I like the French version, Itsy Bitsy Petit Bikini sung by Richard Anthony on the original soundtrack for the movie A Good Year.

8. Endless Summer Nights by Richard Marx, 1987. Solid beat for a good “singing” song from the 80′s.

9. Shout by Tears For Fears, 1985. Another solid beat “singing” song.

10. Hot Stuff and Bad Girls by Donna Summers, 1979. If you look up sultry disco in the dictionary, you should see a picture of Donna Summers. Both songs just a guilty kareoke pleasure

11. I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eye Peas, 2009. Everybody sing!

12. Macarena by Los Del Rio, Bayside Boys Remix, 1996. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a wedding reception in Texas where we didn’t dance to Macarena.

13. One of These Nights by The Eagles, 1975. I have every song The Eagles ever recorded—in vinyl and digital. Best band of all time.

14. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, 1987. Great chorus that’s an anthem! Great “singing” song.

15. Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones, 1969. Got to have some Jagger in the playlist.

16. Bye Bye Bye by Nsync, 2000. Aw, come on. Who doesn’t love this song?

17. I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 1982. You hear this and you have to move your feet, hips, or another part of your anatomy.

18. Kokomo by The Beach Boys, 1988. Makes me want to jump on a cruise ship and go to Kokomo.

Takeaway Truth

I love summer music!