15 Splendid Summer Songs

Reading Time: 14 min read

15 Splendid Summer Songs features music courtesy of Beyoncé, Highly Suspect, Skrillex, Summer Walker, Taylor Swift, and Zach Bryan.

The time has come to get your Summer on! Woot, woot! The best way to get your summer on? Probably fun with your significant other – a fine man or woman – somewhere on a beach 🏖️. A playlist can’t provide that, unfortunately – there are limitations. Still, a playlist can deliver summery songs that establish a vibe. 15 Splendid Summer Songs has been a long time coming. Sure, the summery vibes have been ‘summer-ing’ for years on The Musical Hype but the last purely summer musical compendium was published in 2018: 13 Captivating Summer Songs. By purely summer that means some form of the word must appear in the song title. No beaches, bikinis, swimming, or shirtless hotties allowed without summer attached! 15 Splendid Summer Songs features music courtesy of Beyoncé, Highly Suspect, Skrillex, Summer Walker, Taylor Swift, and Zach Bryan. So, closing this needlessly long intro, let’s get summer started with 15 Splendid Summer Songs!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Mike Taveira, “Summer Cinnamon”

2. Summer Walker & J. Cole, “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)”

3. Highly Suspect, “Summertime Voodoo”

4. Beyoncé, “Summer Renaissance”

5. The Chainsmokers, “Summertime Friends”

6. Skrillex & Kid Cudi, “Summertime”

7-8. Jonas Brothers, “Summer In The Hamptons” & “Summer Baby”

9. Conan Gray, “Summer Child”

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Black Summer”

11. Taylor Swift, “Cruel Summer”

12. Shawn Mendes & Tainy, “Summer of Love”

13. The Strokes, “Eternal Summer”

14. Zach Bryan, “Summertime’s Close”

15. Sly & The Family Stone, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”

1. Mike Taveira, “Summer Cinnamon”

“Summer Cinnamon” // Mike Taveira // 2024

“I’ve been having dinner with the voices in my head / While you’re out there breathing in the summer cinnamon.” Ugh, sounds like sad, lonely times, Mike Taveira! Admittedly, the talented pop artist has been feeling sad and lonely per X (formerly known as Twitter). Despite being “fuckin sad as shit,” there is a silver lining: “At least the beat sounds happy.” Correct, Mike! He penned “Summer Cinnamon” alongside Carly Paige and producer, Hubby. Set in a major key, the instrumental sounds summery despite Mike’s loneliness and love pain. “Burning in my mind like a … cigarette,” he continues singing in the memorable, ultra-tuneful chorus, “Keep on finding boys that slip like waters through my hands.” Those dirty, dirty boys – tsk, tsk, tsk! The pansexual musician cries foul regarding an ex-boyfriend. Sure, his vocals sound cool, calm, and collected, but it’s clear he’s in a vulnerable spot. “Chasing that medicine / Dripping from his lips, need a fucking fix,” he sings in the first verse, admitting later in the song, “I wanna say I’m over you / But the truth is I’m losing all my cool.” If you’ve listened to Taveira’s music in the past, he has an awesome knack for turning his raw emotions into beautiful music that often sounds more optimistic than it is. “Summer Cinnamon” is a prime example. With Hubby ‘doing the damn thing’ behind the boards, particularly those awesome electronic music cues, and Mike singing with poise despite his depression, “Summer Cinnamon” is the sugar honey iced tea. We expect no less from Mike! With no musical miscues, there’s just one nitpick – no shirtless cover artwork this go-round! We only get to see the stud’s arm!

Appears in 🔻:

Delightful Songs Sprinkled with CINNAMON, Pt. I (2024)

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2. Summer Walker & J. Cole, “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)”

CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP // LRVN / Interscope // 2023

“Call me when you need some love.” Aww, so thoughtful of you Summer Walker! Notably, Walker only sings the chorus of “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug),” the opening track of her 2023 EP, CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE. Summer in “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug),” penned by Walker alongside producers WU10 and J. Cole, isn’t referencing the beloved season. It’s referencing her – Summer Walker. Who is referencing her? Grammy-winning rapper J. Cole. He spits the sole verse. The season is not Cole’s focus. Summer – Ms. Walker – is his focus. “Hey Ms. Walker / Thank you for wantin’ a verse from me / Apologies for the wait,” he raps, adding, “I heard you just had you another lil’ baby, congratulations / I hope you got through it with no complications.” Thoughtful of him! At the end of his verse, he praises the three R&B queens: “I’m sendin’ you, SZA, and Ari my love / Y’all holdin’ us down, y’all holdin’ the crowns.” “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)” may not be a summery song in the traditional sense, but man does Cole praise the brilliance of Summer… Walker.

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3. Highly Suspect, “Summertime Voodoo”

As Above, So Below // Roadrunner // 2024

Question: Is Johnny Stevens Highly Suspect? Well, Stevens is the lead vocalist for the Grammy-nominated rock band 😝. One badass dude, the tatted rock star brings the heat on “Summertime Voodoo”, the opener from the band’s fifth studio album, As Above, So Below. The album version of “Summertime Voodoo” runs six-and-a-half minutes long while an edit runs under four. “Summertime voodoo / Strange vibrations here / Just crashed my motorcycle / And I still have no fear.” Wow – I’d be scared AF in that situation, Johnny! Anyways, it rocks. What makes it rock? Stevens’ clear, commanding vocals play a sizable role. His sound isn’t always clean – he also brings that grimy, gritty sound. Clear or gritty, Stevens has some sweet, tuneful melodies to work within the verses. The lyrics are ear-catching and at times, dark (“‘Boy, go hug your father / Then kill yourself today’”. He’s apologetic and regretful in the second verse – “I’m sorry Miss Jackson…” The varied choruses are a highlight:

“Hey, ‘cause no one’s coming, no, no

To save my soul, eh

I can’t keep running, no, hey

I’m getting too old.”

Word. The outro is intriguing too, with Steven characterizing himself as “a carbureted suicide machine / I am the rocker / I am the roller / I am the out-of-controller / I’m the Nightrider, baby.” Besides the vocals and lyrics, the backdrop is rad too. Instrumentally, the distorted guitar carries lots of weight. The riffs are superb, and the guitar solos go hard. Furthermore, a Nice dash of organ ups the ante. Nothing highly suspect about this sick Highly Suspect song, “Summertime Voodoo”. Rock TF on, Johnny 🤘!

Appears in 🔻:

Bops That Pop: May 2024

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4. Beyoncé, “SUMMER RENAISSANCE”

RENAISSANCE // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2022

“I wanna house you and make you take my name / I’m gonna spouse you and make you tat your ring.” Oh, the aggressiveness, confidence, and dedication Beyoncé! “SUMMER RENAISSANCE” is a bold, unapologetic house number. It’s a fitting conclusion to her 2022, Grammy-winning album, RENAISSANCE. *Still salty that RENAISSANCE wasn’t awarded the Grammy for Album of the Year* 😤 🤬 “You sexy motherfucker, boy, you growin’ on me,” she asserts, “I just wanna thug you, the category is Bey.” Oh, snap! More like oh, shit, and we’re not talking shiitake mushrooms 🍄‍🟫! Among her best lyrics of this renaissance come in the third verse: “Know you love when I roleplay, who am I now? / I’m a doc, I’m a nurse, I’m a teacher / Dominate is the best way to beat ya.” That is one hell of a double entendre. The sleek “SUMMER RENAISSANCE” was produced by Beyoncé, NOVA WAV, MIKE DEAN, The-Dream, Leven Kali, and Sol Was. It interpolates the late Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco (“I Feel Love”). All told Beyoncé serves C U Next Tuesday on this nearly five-minute bop.

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5. The Chainsmokers, “Summertime Friends”

Summertime Friends // Secondhand Happiness, Inc. / Disruptor // 2023

“In the back of the bar / You’re talking to me with the lights on,” Andrew Taggart (often Drew Taggart) sings abruptly, but energetically in the first verse of “Summertime Friends”. The vocalist for the Grammy-winning collective, The Chainsmokers – Taggart and Alex Pall – cites this brief song as the story of how he met his girlfriend ❤️. The sentiment is sweet as love is a wonderful thing, especially if you’re like Taggart and thought for sure she was out of his league. “You told me love don’t exist,” he continues, “And if it does, it doesn’t last long.” Regarding the sound, “Summertime Friends” leans more pop/rock than dance per se. The vocals, however, sound idiomatic of the dance genre, with the respective effects/production surrounding them. There have been times when Taggart’s pipes have been criticized. He sounds okay here. By the chorus, “Summertime Friends” embraces dance more, with an expanded palette of sounds and a simplistic, repetitive chorus. The key lyric that Taggart sings: “It doesn’t matter where you are.” WOO! All told, this Pall, Taggart, and Scott Harris penned joint is respectable and readymade for summer.

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6. Skrillex & Kid Cudi, “Summertime”

Don’t Get Too Close // OWSLA / Atlantic // 2023

“Ooh, it was summertime / Spending every second with you by my side / We’ve been in each other’s lives / You’re my one and only, count the days they go by.” Aww, the feels, the feels, the feels! Skrillex and Kid Cudi collaborating? That’s a vibe – a surefire vibe. This collaboration, aptly titled, “Summertime,” appeared on Skrillex’s 2023 album, Don’t Get Too Close. What makes “Summertime” a vibe? The instrumental is sleekly produced (Skrillex) – decadent, electronic ear candy. There’s a reason why Skrillex has won multiple Grammys; he’s beastly behind the boards. Kid Cudi, also a Grammy winner, brings a unique sound to the table, years after endearing us with the left field, alternative rap of Man On The Moon: The End of Day. Does he say anything profound in this song? Not really but, again, a vibe is established. “Summertime” sounds summery and matters of the heart ALWAYS fuel the fire. “I just know I’m right where I should be (Uh) / Ain’t no fuckin’ way babe I couldn’t leave.” Word.

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7-8. Jonas Brothers, “Summer In The Hamptons” & “Summer Baby”

The Album // Jonas Brothers Recordings, LLC / Republic // 2023

On The Album, released in 2023, the Jonas Brothers embrace the summer twice! This blurb, hence, is a two-for-one, and we’ll keep it brief. The first summer song from The Album is “Summer In The Hamptons.” Is it the crème de la crème of The Album? No, but it’s worth mentioning because of sex. Yes, you read correctly! The Jonas boys and their wives are going to get down. Exhibit A: “Your body takes me to some kind of place.” Oh, snap! Exhibit B, the chorus: “Sex like summer in the Hamptons.” So, rich sex? Apparently 🤷🏾‍♂️!

The second summer song of The Album is “Summer Baby”. Sex is also involved: “Know every inch up on that body, but the feeling is new.” Ooh wee! Slickly produced, “Summer Baby” pays an ode to the women in the Bros’ life. Sure, a summer picture is painted, but ultimately SHE is summer, according to them. Oh, the beauty of summer!

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9. Conan Gray, “Summer Child”

Superache // Republic // 2022

The handsome and talented Conan Gray ‘put in work’ on his sophomore album, Superache. He deserved far more recognition for the project, particularly after Kid Krow was certified platinum. “Summer Child” wasn’t the best song from Superache but marked another enjoyable and well-rounded moment. “Summer Child” has a singer/songwriter vibe that works sensationally. The lyrics are thoughtful and poetic and Gray masterfully exhibits vulnerability: “You cover up your arms with your sleeves / Even in hundred-degree heat / Your father was awfully mean…” The chorus is the crowning achievement – the crème de la crème: “Oh, summer child / You don’t have to act like all you feel is mild / You don’t really love the Sun; it drives you wild / You’re lyin’, summer child.” Other positive notes include a marvelous harmonic scheme and incredible vocal production and harmonies. “Summer Child,” hence, is summer approved!

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10. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Black Summer”

Unlimited Love // Warner // 2022

“It’s been a long time since I made a new friend / Waitin’ on another black summer to end.” “Black Summer” proves that the legendary band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, still has a pulse! There is plenty to heart about the Unlimited Love highlight, despite those dark, pessimistic vibes from the chorus. From the onset, the intro is ‘sweet,’ establishing the minor key that lasts throughout the record. Anthony Kiedis remains a force as the lead vocalist. He gets ample fuel from the fire with Flea (bass), Chad Smith (drums), and John Frusciante (guitar). Rick Rubin produced the standout. The theme and lyrics might be the most interesting part. The lyrics are focused on nature, specifically ecological happenings. Even if ecology doesn’t strike one as a source of poetry, RHCP makes it poetic. From the start, the words are ear-catching:

“A lazy rain am I, the skies refuse to cry

Cremation takes its piece of your supply

The night is dressed like noon…”

Intriguing, right? It doesn’t end there, with the likes of, “My crater weighs a tone, the archer’s on the run / And no one stands alone behind the sun.” Woo! As “Black Summer” progresses, the band’s intensity ratchets up, led by a spirited, on-point Kiedis.

Appears in 🔻:

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11. Taylor Swift, “Cruel Summer”

Lover // Taylor Swift // 2019

“Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes / What doesn’t kill me makes me want you more.” The songwriting is utterly sublime 🤩! It’s a rare feat when a song, post-album cycle tops the pop charts. Taylor Swift – she’s a different beast, man. No, she’s not a literal beast, but the enduring success she’s experienced is unbelievable. “Cruel Summer” is the second track from her 2019 album, Lover. By the time it was released as a single in June 2023, Swift had released multiple new albums including two Album Of The Year winners (folklore and Midnights). Truth be told, “Cruel Summer” should’ve been a single during the Lover album cycle. Perhaps the fact it wasn’t a single earlier is the only thing cruel about it.

Swift penned “Cruel Summer” alongside Annie Clark (St. Vincent) and Jack Antonoff. This marks one of her best collaborations with Antonoff from a production perspective. “Cruel Summer” is bright, ear-catching – shimmering in sound. Melodically, it’s rhythmic and tuneful, particularly the chorus which is the crème de la crème. “And it’s new, the shape of your body / It’s blue, the feeling I’ve got / And it’s ooh, whoa-oh / It’s a cruel summer,” Swift sings expressively. To reiterate, the songwriting is spot-on, Swift’s strongest suit as an artist. Elevated by her lucrative The Eras tour, “Cruel Summer” ascended to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, reigning supreme for four weeks. It has been certified multi-platinum. Nothing cruel about that!

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12. Shawn Mendes & Tainy, “Summer of Love”

“Summer of Love” // Island // 2021

Canadian heartthrob Shawn Mendes and producer Tainy experienced some musical magic in their 2021 collaborative single, “Summer of Love”. “Summer of Love” is tailor-made for a sexy summer! It commences with a gorgeous instrumental intro with a warm pad. The flavor is enhanced with a Latin beat. Mendes delivers smooth vocals, flaunting his beautiful tone. Sexiness is evident from the opening lyrics, “Kisses on your body were like heaven / We were taking it slow.” As titillating as that is, the crowning achievement is the catchy, tuneful chorus:

“It was the summer of love

A delicate daydream

And for a couple of months

It felt like we were 18, yeah

It was the summer of…”

Instrumentally, in the chorus, I like the synths Tainy brings into the mix; they’re colorful and ear-catching. The chorus is followed by an endearing, infectious, and playful, post-chorus. I like the faster, more rhythmic vocals in the second verse, providing contrast to the first (“Meditation and tequila / Calling you my señorita …”). The vocal risks (ad-libs and melodic tweaks) Mendes takes in the final chorus are lit. “Summer of Love” exemplifies summer. Mendes ‘shows out’ vocally while Tainy does the same behind the boards.

Appears in 🔻:

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13. The Strokes, “Eternal Summer”

The New Abnormal // RCA // 2020

“Don’t you want the truth? / Ignore reality / See, I love that feeling too / Nobody’s gonna stop right now.” Hmm, that’s thought-provoking. One of many thought-provoking lyrics from The Strokes’ “Eternal Summer.” “Eternal Summer” is among the brightest records on The New Abnormal, the 2020 comeback album by the alternative rock collective. Why is “Eternal Summer” so bright? Those synths – man, they hit hard! Julian Casablancas gives us all sorts of voices on this particular joint. Sometimes, he lays falsetto on us. At other times he’s gritty, embracing his full-fledged chest voice. There are also times when he oscillates between both extremes. More notable are the lyrics, which confirm that summer is unstoppable (“Summer is coming, won’t go away / Summer is coming, it’s here to stay”). However, the permanence of summer is bad in terms of climate change (global warming). Casablancas points the finger with colorful lyrics like “This is the eleventh hour” and “They got the remedy / But they won’t let it happen.” Beyond the vocals and clever lyrics, the band provides a mix of ultra-funky, sleek guitars, bursting synths, and an inescapable, infectious groove, directly out of the disco, 80s new wave playbook. “Eternal Summer” provides summery goodness, but not without food for thought and a call for action.

14. Zach Bryan, “Summertime’s Close”

Zach Bryan // Belting Bronco / Warner // 2023

Zach Bryan is one of the most compelling country musicians of the 2020s. His self-titled, 2023 album was one of the best albums of the year. Nominated for three Grammys at the 66^th Annual GRAMMY Awards, he came out victorious in the Best Country Duo/ Group Performance category. “Summertime’s Close” marks one of many magical moments from Zach Bryan. He wrote and produced it. The songwriting is a big selling point, with honest and thoughtfully penned lyrics. “And I’ve seen children playin’ on the coastlines under the white lines, atop the blue tides,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “But I ain’t ever been baptized in water as cool as you.” In the second, he mentions baptism again: “You always acted baptized every time we hit the coast / Bandana tan line on your forehead, so the tourists didn’t know.” The chorus marks the crème de la crème, naturally mentioning his home state, Oklahoma:

“‘Cause you’re the fire of Carolina and Oklahoma

The stars in San Luis ain’t burnin’ bright as you

You’re the waves crashin’ down on the Eastern Coast

When the day’s coolin’ off and the summertime’s close

I lost faith in the world a long time ago.”

He gives a sincere performance, one where his vocal is perfectly imperfect. He is expressive, nuanced, and rough around the edges. This is part of his charm. “Summertime’s Close” sounds like Zach is being true to himself, never forcing things or trying to be overly polished. He sings from the heart.

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15. Sly & The Family Stone, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”

Greatest Hits // Sony Music Entertainment // 1970

“End of the spring and here she comes back / Hi, hi, hi, hi there.” Sly & The Family Stone was one of the greatest, most important funk bands of all time. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” is one of the barrier-breaking, interracial band’s most beloved hits. Set in a major key, fittingly it sounds like a carefree, fun summer. The standalone single appears on various compilations including the popular Greatest Hits. A rousing success, it peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1969, well after summertime. It wasn’t released until August 🤯.

vacation Everything you love about Sly & The Family Stone is locked in – on autopilot – on this summery gem. It begins with that sick, piano ostinato courtesy of Sly Stone. Furthermore, the production, arrangement, and orchestration are top-notch. Sly penned and produced sheer musical excellence. The late, great Cynthia Robinson sounds dynamic and jubilant on the trumpet. The vocals are epic too. Sly sounds incredibly soulful on lead. Of course, there are vocal contributions from Freddie Stone, Larry Graham, and Rose Stone. All shine, bringing the infectious lyrics and youthful, summery aesthetic to life.

“I cloud nine when I want to

Out of school yeah

County fair in the country sun

And everything is cool

Ooh, yeah

Hot fun in the summertime.”

Pushing 60 years after its release “Hot Fun in the Summertime” is timeless. Not only is it the perfect summer song, but it’s also a marvelous song no matter the time or season.

Appears in 🔻:

Sly & The Family Stone, Hot Fun in the Summertime: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 94 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

15 Splendid Summer Songs (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Belting Bronco, Columbia, Disruptor, Interscope, Island, Jonas Brothers Recordings, LLC, LRVN, Mike Taveira, OWSLA, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, RCA, Republic, Roadrunner, Secondhand Happiness, Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, Taylor Swift, Warner; Arvind Shakya, Devin Dygert, Jose Musa, Kai Blac, Kei Scampa, Ron Lach, Soly Moses, Stephan Louis, Summer Stock from Pexels; David Miller, Dori Ramirez, Gerd Altmann, Lavillia, Pete Linforth from Pixabay]

15 Splendid Summer Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on June 21, 2024June 21, 2024