Soundtrack for the Season: AARP's Summer Music Playlist

"Summer in the City,” the Lovin’ Spoonful (1966)

Jackhammers and car horns blare on this rock tune about crowded, muggy New York City, the band's home. It was released on July 4 and topped the charts in August.

"Hot Fun in the Summertime,” Sly and the Family Stone (1969)

The San Francisco funk ensemble released this soulful summer jam shortly after appearing at Woodstock, boosting its chart performance.

"School's Out,” Alice Cooper (1972)

The shock rocker's rebellious anthem cheers the end of school and proudly bellows, “We got no class, and we got no principals.”

"Rockaway Beach,” the Ramones (1977)

The punk band's escapist classic takes listeners from the sticky concrete jungle to the public beach of their native Queens, New York.

“Summer Nights,” Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta (1978)

Danny and Sandy swap contradictory memories of their romance on the buoyant pop tune from the musical Grease.

“Sweet Summer Lovin’ ,” Dolly Parton (1979)

“Sweet summer lovin’ keeps me high as candy wine,” the country queen sings in the light, unabashed love song included on her Great Balls of Fire album.

“Vacation,” the Go-Gos (1982)

Infectious, lively and a bit mindless, “Vacation” is the perfect escape from workday drudgery. At No. 8, it was the L.A. new wave band’s second-highest-charting single.

“Boys of Summer,” Don Henley (1984)

Eagles singer Don Henley’s solo hit about lost innocence, with guitar by cowriter Mike Campbell, is simultaneously dreamy, biting and doleful.

“Summertime,” DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1991)

Duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (pre-Hollywood Will Smith) tout the bliss of the beach season in an upbeat rap number that samples Kool & the Gang’s “Summer Madness.”

“Island in the Sun,” Weezer (2001)

The L.A. alternative-rock band’s mellow power-pop tune was the second single from their self-titled 2001 album, produced by the Cars’ Ric Ocasek.

“Soak Up the Sun,” Sheryl Crow (2002)

The catchy pop single from Crow’s C’mon, C’mon album, featuring backing vocals by Liz Phair, shimmers with light and cheer.

Tell Us: What Songs Would You Add to Our Playlist

“At the Beach,” Avett Brothers (2004)

The North Carolina folk rock band sing about sand and the ocean with joyous longing: “Summer, summer, summer, time to help us forget, nine to fives, we have got to leave all that behind.”

“Girl,” Beck (2005)

The second single from Beck’s Guero album is a buzzy acoustic love song that combines serious romance with a sense of frivolity.

“California Gurls,” Katy Perry (2010)

This playful, frothy party jam from the pop star’s third studio album, Teenage Dream, features rapper Snoop Dogg.

“Summertime Sadness,” Lana Del Rey (2012)

The title says it all. The singer-songwriter milks melancholy and melodrama from an ethereal plaint that explores the season’s moodier side.