In times of harsh climates, lack of sunshine and desperate hopes to wear flip flops, sometimes we’re all in need of a little reminder that warmer weather is coming our way. Summertime, the best season of them all, comes with the music that gives you memories dating back to as far as you can remember. The best songs come with some of your best memories, which is probably why we love them so much. The vibes of these musicians give me summer inspiration and excitement for sunshine, sand, warm air, misty sea breeze and a lot of fun.
1. The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are one of my favorite bands of all time simply because they provide an absolutely “feel-good” type of music. There is probably no better band to listen to to make summer come faster. Even their Christmas songs make me excited for summer. Favorites: Surfin U.S.A., Don’t Worry Baby, California Girls
2. Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray's Californian style is perfectly radiant and up-beat for looking forward to the beachy vibes of the season. Favorites: Every Morning, Fly, Someday
3. Zac Brown Band
My favorite country band. Their music has a soothing Southern feel to make anyone excited for summer all-year-round. P.S., if you haven't been to one of their concerts, I highly recommend it. They are even better live. Favorites: Chicken Fried, Toes, Free
4. The Rolling Stones
This legendary, UK band is one of my favorites just because of their ability to make me feel relaxed yet want to rock out on a drum set at the same time. Favorites: Start Me Up, Beast Of Burden, Gimme Shelter
5. Lynryd Skynryd
The Southern rock band with three of my absolute favorite songs. Lynryd Skynryd screams summertime and puts a smile on my face every time I hear them. Favorites: Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird, Tuesday’s Gone
6. Billy Joel
Not a band, but he has a very special place on my list. Just about all of Billy Joel's songs remind me of Long Island summers. Perhaps because he's from LI himself. Favorites: Only The Good Die Young, Movin’ Out, New York State Of Mind, The Longest Time
7. Red Hot Chili Peppers
One of my favorite bands during every season and not just for summer, the RHCP give off a feeling that is just purely cool. There really isn't another word I can think of to describe them. The RHCP are in my opinion, one of the coolest bands there is. You can't help but drum along with your fingers on the steering wheel to their songs. Favorites: Can’t Stop, Snow (Hey Oh), Scar Tissue
8. Bob Marley & The Wailers
9. Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band is a band with easy going rock songs that will remind me of summer time more than any of the rest. My favorite part of Steve Miller Band are their instrumentals, especially the guitar. Favorites: Rock’n Me, The Joker, Jet Airliner
10. Aer
Aer spreads the best vibes you can imagine. My best friends and I are so excited when the skies are clear, the sun is out and breeze is fresh because when the air is warm with just the right amount of crisp, it's Aer season. Favorites: Floats My Boat, Feel I Bring, Spades Clubs & Diamonds
11. Eagles
The smooth-rock that the Eagles perform is so fitting for the summer. Their voices and instrumentals are essentially perfect for capturing the nature of warm weather. Favorites: Hotel California, One Of These Nights, New Kid In Town
12. Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac is another band whose vocals and instrumentals feel so natural and pure that they perfectly highlight the essence of summertime. A band so unique, which is one of the reasons why they are an all-time favorite of mine. Favorites: Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Landslide
13. Van Morrison
Van Morrison's peaceful music is something so relaxing and fitting for summertime. Between his soothing voice and acoustic guitar, his songs are absolutely perfect for day dreaming about summer. Favorites: Brown Eyed Girl, Into The Mystic, Domino
14. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, as well as Tom Petty as a solo artist, give us some of the best rock and roll songs to sing along to and enjoy the brilliant guitar melodies. Favorites: Free Fallin’, I Wont Back Down, American Girl
15. Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind's music gives me summer inspiration because of their soft- style of rock. It reminds me of soft, warm air and summer sun. Favorites: Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, Never Let You Go
16. Sublime
The unique sounds of the California natives that make up Sublime will forever put me in a summer mood. Their mix between alternative and a sort of reggae rock is just so appropriate for the season. Favorites: Doin’ Time, What I Got, Santeria
17. The Killers
The Killers have a style of rock to sing along to and jam out to the guitar and drum solos. The first time I heard one of my absolute favorite songs, Mr. Brightside, was several years ago when I was in the car with my dad. It came on the radio and he told me it was one of his favorites. It soon became one of mine, and now they are one of my favorite bands to blast in the car, windows down, with my friends in the summertime. Favorites: Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, When We Were Young
18. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Bob Seger is important to my list because his CDs (along with Steve Miller Band) are what my mom put on in the car rides out to Montauk every weekend in the summer growing up. This band will always provide me with the most vivid summer memories. Favorites: Old Time Rock and Roll, Night Moves, Mainstreet
19. Jimmy Buffet
Another solo musician, Jimmy Buffet, gives us the ideal summer songs from the lyrics to the instruments that give off the tropical feel to his music that is most definitely essential for your summer inspiration. Favorites: Come Monday, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Margaritaville
