This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (2024)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (1)

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Ready for a little nostalgia? If you plan to hit the beach at any moment or kick your feet up by the pool this summer, you'll be sure to bring along your favorite

wireless speaker to sing along with the best songs of summer from the last few decades. Pack your biggest beach towel, and remember your beach umbrella because summer has officially arrived. Our summer jams will have you moving your feet in the sand and grooving all night long.

This playlist features the best summer songs from 1960 till now, and these songs will be on repeat through September!
Include these songs on your Summer 2021 mix, and allow Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie and the songs of the past to soothe you. Run wild and free with Rihanna, Bryson Tiller and DJ Khaled. These tunes will keep a smile on your face and have you singing along, and our list has you covered for tons of fun in the sun through every decade.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

1

"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" by Brian Hyland (1960)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (2)

1

"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" by Brian Hyland (1960)

Brian Hyland's first and only No. 1 Billboard hit made every woman want to go out and grab her very own yellow polka dot bikini.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

2

"Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis (1961)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (3)

2

"Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis (1961)

This wasn't just the song of the summer back in '61. Bobby Lewis's chart-topper was the top song for the entire year, staying at No. 1 for seven weeks.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

3

"Stranger On The Shore" by Mr. Acker Bilk (1962)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (4)

3

"Stranger On The Shore" by Mr. Acker Bilk (1962)

Before the Beatles took the top slot, British clarinet player Acker Bilkkept listeners dancing with this one.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

"Surf City" by Jan & Dean (1963)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (5)

4

"Surf City" by Jan & Dean (1963)

Everyone was ready to hit the beach, thanks to the iconic duo of Jan & Dean.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Do you remember "wah-wah-ooh"-ing to the tunes from the California-based rock band, The Beach Boys?

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

6

"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" by The Four Tops (1965)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (7)

6

"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" by The Four Tops (1965)

We couldn't get enough of The Four Tops' dance-y love song about wanting one person ("and nobody else, ooh!").

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

"Paperback Writer" by The Beatles (1966)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (8)

7

"Paperback Writer" by The Beatles (1966)

People have their favorite beach read, but in1966, you couldn't get through a chapter without hearing this song about a writer.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

8

"Respect" by Aretha Franklin (1967)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (9)

8

"Respect" by Aretha Franklin (1967)

Aretha spelled it out perfectly:"R-E-S-P-E-C-T." And we found out what it meant to her, and everyone else in 1967. It was a smash.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

9

"Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel (1968)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (10)

9

"Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel (1968)

Did you know this was originally about Eleanor Roosevelt? In creating the soundtrack for the iconic film The Graduate, Simon & Garfunkel made a slight change to their original tune.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension (1969)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (11)

Zodiac and music fans alike were probably going crazy for this song from The 5th Dimension. This medley was made for the 1967 musical Hair.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

11

"ABC" by Jackson 5 (1970)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (12)

11

"ABC" by Jackson 5 (1970)

Nothing was catchier than this bop from the Jackson siblings. And easy as 1-2-3, it climbed to No. 1 on the charts in no time.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

12

"Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night (1971)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (13)

12

"Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night (1971)

Rocking the most iconic '70s hairstyles and mustaches, Three Dog Night had everyone feeling especially joyful in 1971.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

"The Candy Man" by Sammy Davis, Jr. (1972)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (14)

13

"The Candy Man" by Sammy Davis, Jr. (1972)

Though he was nominated for a Grammy for his performance, "The Candy Man" wasn't a Sammy Davis, Jr. original. In fact, Aubrey Woods first sang it in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

14

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder (1973)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (15)

14

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder (1973)

Rain or shine, you could count on Stevie Wonder to deliver a hit about love.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

15

"The Loco-motion" by Grand Funk Railroad (1974)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (16)

15

"The Loco-motion" by Grand Funk Railroad (1974)

Their second No. 1 hit was one of many classics from Grand Funk Railroad. It lasted for just two weeks, but remained on the Hot 100 chart for 20.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

"Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (17)

16

"Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)

One of the band's most successful songs of all time, this made the group a bunch of shining stars.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

17

"Silly Love Songs" by Wings (1976)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (18)

17

"Silly Love Songs" by Wings (1976)

We think it's one of the greatest love songs ever, and people in 1976 definitely agreed.

RELATED:35 Best Love Songs of All Time

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

18

"Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder (1977)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (19)

18

"Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder (1977)

Stevie made almost too many hits to count, but "Sir Duke" took over in the summer of 1977.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

"You're the One That I Want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1978)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (20)

19

"You're the One That I Want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1978)

Sandy and Danny stole our hearts in the musical Grease,so it was hardly a surprise when the final number was so successful.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

20

"Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson (1979)

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (21)

20

"Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson (1979)

Smokey's silk-like voice will have you feelingsummer-ready.

This Was the Hit Song of the Summer the Year You Were Born (2024)
Top Articles
Smoky Lentil and Sweet Potato Tacos. Vegan Recipe - Vegan Richa
Collard Greens Tagine With Flageolets Recipe
PW Minor - AllAmerican.org
The Best 20 Restaurants in Sacramento, California (2024) - Bon Traveler
Latest Posts
Crustless Broccoli Quiche - Healthy Recipes Blog
Chicken Korma Coconut Milk Recipe with Variations - My Natural Family
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6545

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.