Summer is Here...What's Your Summer Song?

The other day, I was talking to my team about my favorite summertime memory. As a child of the 70s/80s (yes, I’m dating myself!) I recall sitting on the beach and listening to everyone’s radios blaring different summertime hits.  And this got me thinking, in this age of digital music, do we still have favorite summer songs? What about the songs make them our favorite?  

So we asked everyday Americans about their favorite summer songs using Meaningful. And it turns out that summer songs are alive and well!

Here's what makes the perfect summer song:

• Summer songs are strongly associated with emotional and nostalgic memories, serving as auditory triggers for cherished life events, family gatherings, and social celebrations

  
  

• Specific musical elements such as upbeat tempo, catchy melodies, and memorable lyrics play a critical role in defining the summer vibe, creating a distinct and recognizable sound tied to the season

  
  

• Beyond their sonic identity, summer songs are perceived as cultural artifacts that mirror American values of freedom, leisure, and social connectivity, thereby reinforcing both personal and collective identities  

My favorite summer song is "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama.

What's yours?