Songs of Summer: Top 10 Cool Sheet Music Picks for Hot Days

“Big cheers and cold beers, we’re in the clear because summer’s here.” While those words could easily come from a pop-country song they’ve got us thinking about one thing and one thing only, that’s right, you guessed it: Summer!

Finally, it’s that time of year – for those of us north of the Equator, where we prepare ourselves to the let the latest summer jam become a constant earworm. What will be 2015’s summer ear worm of choice? We’ll let the airwaves, your subconscious and the endless array of YouTube covers decide, and come August we’ll all have ourselves a deserving winner.

However, August is a while away and we love a summer jam, especially one that’s fun to play no matter what your instrument of choice. So with that in mind we’ve curated a selection of summer-themed songs to get you prepared, and we’ve got all the bases covered. From California classics to modern day beach anthems, let these jams warm your soul as we leap into the summer sunshine.

#1 “Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful

Number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1966, “Summer in the City” is the only song on our list to include a Volkswagen Beetle horn.

#2 “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry

“In the Summertime” took Mungo Jerry lead singer Ray Dorset just 10 minutes to compose, and it went on to sit atop the UK Singles Chart for seven weeks in 1970.

#3 “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys

When it comes to summer jams, you can’t go wrong with The Beach Boys. With amazing vocal harmonies and what Brian Wilson referred to as a “pocket symphony” of instruments, “Good Vibrations‘” 1966 release broke new ground in musical composition and sound recording technology.

#4 “Summer” by Calvin Harris

Ah, fleeting summer love. Calvin Harris’ “Summer” was one of 2014’s top songs of summer jams, exploring the phenomena of May-September romance.

#5 “Soak Up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow

Public service announcement: over-exposure to UV rays is hazardous to your health. Playing Sheryl Crow’s 2002 hit single “Soak Up the Sun,” however, is sure to put you in a good mood.

#6 “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Ray

As for the other end of the emotional spectrum, “Summertime Sadness” reminds us that the season isn’t all beach balls and fruity drinks.

#7 “Midnight City” by M83

Just a really fun song to play, French EDM group M83’s “Midnight City” has been used everywhere from Euro football matches to TV shows.

#8 “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley

The oft-covered 1984 hit “The Boys of Summer” won The Eagles’ vocalist Don Henley a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Rock Performance.

#9 “Beachin’” by Jake Owen

Yes, the title of Jake Owen’s 2014 #1 single is a play on words… and its chill out, hang out vibe is, in fact, pretty beachin’ if you ask us.

#10 “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock

Sampling two classic rock favorites, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” and Lynyrd Skynryd, Kid Rock’s 2008 single had songs of summer fans around the world “singing ‘Sweet Home Alabama‘ all summer long.”

More songs of summer themed sheet music to warm your musical soul:

“Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams

“Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran

“Hot in the City” by Billy Idol

“Walkin’ on the Sun” by Smashmouth

“This is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan

“Hot Summer” by Hot Stuff

“The Heat is On” by Glenn Fry

“Sunrise” by Norah Jones

“Long Hot Summer” by Keith Urban

“Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line

Did we miss your favorite summer jam? Share your must-play song of summer in the comments section below!