Wednesday, June 21, 2023

The Official First Day Of Summer

As summer officially begins, we direct you to your most recent list of all time summer favorites!

YOUR TOP 200 ALL-TIME SUMMER FAVORITES

After 45,000 votes, THIS is the way that you have ranked your All-Time Summer Favorites.

We have done this poll in 2001, 2006, 2010 and most recently again in 2020.

ALL four times, you have voted SUMMER IN THE CITY by THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL to be YOUR ALL-TIME SUMMER FAVORITE.

This time, we placed no "year restrictions" on the songs that could be nominated ...

And the criteria was simple:

What songs best evoke the feeling of summer in your mind?

That means they can be songs about summer ...

Songs with Summer in the title ...

Songs about Hot Fun in the Summertime ...

or Lazy, Crazy, Hazy Days of Summer ...

Happy Summer Days ... or Summertime Blues ...

Summer activities like Surfin' and Cruisin' ...

or Dancin' in the Street ...

California Girls, Surfer Girls, Girl Watchin' ...

Summer places ... whether they be Under the Boardwalk or Up on the Roof ...

Drinkin' Summer Wine ...

Summer Lovin' ...

Saying Goodbye for the Summer ...

but then Seeing you again in September ...

The sun and sunshine ...

A walk along the beach ...

Twistin' the night away ...

Singin' in the Sunshine ...

or Walkin' in the Summer Rain ...

Or simply the Biggest Songs of Summers Past ...

Songs that take you back to a particular place in time with indelible memories.

Capturing the spirit of ALL of the above,

THESE are the Summer Songs that mean the most to YOU ...

LET THE SUMMER COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!!

Rank  Title   -   Artist          (Year)          2010 Rank

  1 - SUMMER IN THE CITY - The Lovin' Spoonful (1966)   1

  2 - CALIFORNIA GIRLS - The Beach Boys (1965)   9

  3 - IN THE SUMMERTIME - Mungo Jerry (1970)   5

  4 - HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME - Sly and the Family Stone (1969)   3

  5 - SATISFACTION - The Rolling Stones (1965)   19

  6 - A SUMMER SONG - Chad and Jeremy (1964)   2

  7 - I GET AROUND - The Beach Boys (1964)   11

  8 - DANCING IN THE STREET - Martha and the Vandellas (1964)   15

  9 - SUMMERTIME - Billy Stewart (1966)   7

 10 - SUMMERTIME BLUES - Eddie Cochran (1958)   8

 11 - SCHOOL'S OUT - Alice Cooper (1972)   18

 12 - LIGHT MY FIRE - The Doors (1967)   37

 13 - THEME FROM "A SUMMER PLACE" - Percy Faith (1960)   6

 14 - SUMMER OF '69 - Bryan Adams (1985)   22

 15 - ALL SUMMER LONG - The Beach Boys (1964)   4

 16 - FUN FUN FUN - The Beach Boys (1964)   17

 17 - BORN TO BE WILD - Steppenwolf (1968)   29

 18 - THE BOYS OF SUMMER - Don Henley (1985)   35

 19 - CALIFORNIA SUN - The Rivieras (1964)   13

 20 - BEACH BABY - First Class (1974)   27

 21 - SEALED WITH A KISS - Brian Hyland (1962)   16

 22 - HERE COMES THE SUN - The Beatles (1969)   HM

 23 - UNDER THE BOARDWALK - The Drifters (1964)   45

 24 - SURFIN' USA - The Beach Boys (1963)   14

 25 - SATURDAY IN THE PARK - Chicago (1972)   38

 26 - SAN FRANCISCO (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie (1967)   31

 27 - HERE COMES SUMMER - Jerry Keller (1959)   12

 28 - SURF CITY - Jan and Dean (1963)   21

 29 - SUMMER BREEZE - Seals and Crofts (1972)   23

 30 - WIPE OUT - The Surfaris (1963, 1966)   26

 31 - WALKIN' ON SUNSHINE - Katrina and the Waves (1985)   41

 32 - WONDERFUL SUMMER - Robin Ward (1963)   20

 33 - SUMMER WIND - Frank Sinatra (1966)   39

 34 - SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER - The Happenings (1966)   25

 35 - WINDY - The Association (1967)   28

 36 - WOULDN'T IT BE NICE - The Beach Boys (1966)   30

 37 - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' - The Mamas and the Papas (1966)   98

 38 - SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME - The Jamies (1958)   10

 39 - PALISADES PARK - Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon (1962)   43

 40 - SURFER GIRL - The Beach Boys (1963)   47

 41 - KOKOMO - The Beach Boys (1988)   62

 42 - SUMMER NIGHTS - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1978)   24

 43 - SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME - Gary Lewis and the Playboys (1965)   49

 44 - DO IT AGAIN - The Beach Boys (1968)   66

 45 - SUNNY - Bobby Hebb (1966)   80

 46 - GROOVIN' - The Young Rascals (1967)   33

 47 - HEAT WAVE - Martha and the Vandellas (1963)   34

 48 - SUMMER - War (1976)   46

 49 - SUNNY AFTERNOON - The Kinks (1966)   87

 50 - MARGARITAVILLE - Jimmy Buffett (1977)   99

 51 - ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA-DOT BIKINI -  Brian Hyland (1960)   50

 52 - GRAZING IN THE GRASS - Hugh Masekela (1968)   74

 53 - WILD THING - The Troggs (1966)   95

 54 - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE - The Beatles (1967)   97

 55 - HAWAII FIVE-O - The Ventures (1969)   61

 56 - ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - Bill Haley and the Comets (1955)   59

 57 - HONKY TONK WOMEN - The Rolling Stones (1969)   96

 58 - CALIFORNIA NIGHTS - Lesley Gore (1967)   32

 59 - CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OF YOU - Frankie Valli (1967)  HM

 60 - SUNSHINE SUPERMAN - Donovan (1966)   88

 61 - THE WARMTH OF THE SUN - The Beach Boys (1964)   57

 62 - BROWN EYED GIRL - Van Morrison (1967)   HM

 63 - I CAN'T HELP MYSELF - The Four Tops (1965)   55

 64 - LITTLE BIT O'SOUL - The Music Explosion (1967)   42

 65 - SO MUCH IN LOVE - The Tymes (1963)   48

 66 - LET'S TWIST AGAIN - Chubby Checker (1961)   xx

 67 - ONE SUMMER NIGHT - The Danleers (1958)   51

 68 - WALK DON'T RUN - The Ventures (1960)   HM

 69 - JACK AND DIANE - John Cougar Mellencamp (1982)   94

 70 - DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT - King Harvest (1973)   90

 71 - SUMMER RAIN - Johnny Rivers (1967)   36

 72 - VACATION - The Go Gos (1982)   83

 73 - SMOOTH - Santana featuring Rob Thomas (1999)   xx

 74 - BARBARA ANN - The Beach Boys (1966)   HM

 75 - NIGHT MOVES - Bob Seger (1978)   68

 76 - LIKE A ROLLING STONE - Bob Dylan (1965)   xx

 77 - WOOLY BULLY - Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (1965)   xx

 78 - CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION - Tommy James and the Shondells (1969)   xx

 79 - SUMMER SUN - Jamestown Massacre (1972)   79

 80 - THOSE LAZY, HAZY, CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER - Nat "King" Cole (1963)   40

 81 - HANKY PANKY - Tommy James and the Shondells (1966)   60

 82 - SUNDAY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME - Spanky and Our Gang (1967)   HM

 83 - SPILL THE WINE - Eric Burdon and War (1970)   HM

 84 - I LIVE FOR THE SUN - The Sunrays (1965)   44

 85 - STONED SOUL PICNIC - The Fifth Dimension (1968)   xx

 86 - CRUEL SUMMER - Bananarama (1984)   100

 87 - MY SHARONA - The Knack (1979)   xx

 88 - COME ON DOWN TO MY BOAT - Every Mother's Son (1967)   72

 89 - NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO - Chuck Berry (1964)   70

 90 - BRANDY - Looking Glass (1972)   HM

 91 - SUMMERTIME BLUES - The Who (1970)   65

 92 - GOOD VIBRATIONS - The Beach Boys (1966)   91

 93 - A WHITER SHADE OF PALE - Procol Harum (1967)   xx

 94 - LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA - Jan and Dean (1964)   xx

 95 - A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - The Beatles (1964)   HM

 96 - AFTERNOON DELIGHT - The Starland Vocal Band (1976)   HM

 97 - HELLO, I LOVE YOU - The Doors (1968)  xx

 98 - RAG DOLL - The Four Seasons (1964)   xx

 99 - SURFIN' SAFARI - The Beach Boys (1962)   52

100 - DON'T WORRY BABY - The Beach Boys (1964)   73

101 - MISERLOU - Dick Dale (1963)   xx

102 - ROCK THE BOAT - The Hues Corporation (1974)  58

103 - LAKE SHORE DRIVE - Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah (1973)   HM

104 - I GOT YOU BABE - Sonny and Cher (1965)   xx

105 - UP, UP AND AWAY - The Fifth Dimension (1967)   xx

106 - TOSSIN' AND TURNIN' - Bobby Lewis (1961)   xx

107 - SUMMER WINE - Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (1967)   76

108 - MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK - The Angels (1963)   xx

109 - EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE - The Police (1983)   xx

110 - DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYIN' - Gerry and the Pacemakers (1964)   xx

111 - WE'LL SING IN THE SUNSHINE - Gale Garnett (1964)   HM

112 - INDIAN LAKE - The Cowsills (1968)   HM

113 - SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE - Cream (1967)   xx

114 - SUMMER MEANS FUN - Bruce and Terry (1964)   67

115 - LOVE SHACK - The B-52's (1989)   xx

116 - IT'S TOO LATE - Carole King (1971)   xx

117 - LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - The Captain and Tennille (1975)   xx

118 - FINGERTIPS, PART 2 - Stevie Wonder (1963)   xx

119 - THE TWIST - Chubby Checker (1960, 1962)   xx

120 - MUSIC TO WATCH GIRLS BY - The Bob Crewe Generation (1967)   HM

121 - SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS - Lesley Gore (1965)   xx

122 - GOOD DAY SUNSHINE - The Beatles (1966)   HM

123 - MOONLIGHT FEELS RIGHT - Starbuck (1976)   xx

124 - I'LL FOLLOW THE SUN - The Beatles (1965)   HM

125 - GIRL WATCHER - The O'Kaysions (1968)   HM

126 - SAUSALITO SUMMER NIGHT - Diesel (1981)   xx

127 - REMEMBER (WALKIN' IN THE SAND) - The Shangri-Las (1964)   xx

128 - LITTLE DEUCE COUPE - The Beach Boys (1963)   63

129 - WHITE RABBITT - Jefferson Airplane (1967)   xx

130 - WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO - The Supremes (1964)   xx

131 - VACATION - Connie Francis (1962)   56

132 - UP ON THE ROOF - The Drifters (1963)   75

133 - HITCHIN' A RIDE - Vanity Fare (1970)   xx

134 - PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY - The Monkees (1967)   HM

135 - CLOSE TO YOU - The Carpenters (1970)   HM

136 - JUMPIN' JACK FLASH - The Rolling Stones (1968)   xx

137 - ACTION - Freddy Cannon (1965)   71

138 - YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1978)   xx

139 - WILDWOOD DAYS - Bobby Rydell (1963)   xx

140 - HELP ME RHONDA - The Beach Boys (1965)   92

141 - THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva (1962)   xx

142 - DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART - Elton John and Kiki Dee (1976)   xx

143 - SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - The Beatles (1967)   xx

144 - CALIFORNIA GURLS - Katy Perry (2010)   xx

145 - THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA - Stan Getz and Astrid Gilberto (1964)   HM

146 - IT COULD BE WE'RE IN LOVE - The Cryan' Shames (1967)   xx

147 - HAPPY SUMMER DAYS - Ronnie Dove (1966)   xx

148 - CHAPEL OF LOVE - The Dixiecups (1964)   xx

149 - PURPLE HAZE - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)   xx

150 - WHERE THE BOYS ARE - Connie Francis (1961)   89

151 - CENTERFIELD - John Fogerty (1985)   81

152 - LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA - Ricky Martin (1999)   xx

153 - HAPPY TOGETHER - The Turtles (1967)   xx

154 - THE RAIN, THE PARK AND OTHER THINGS - The Cowsills (1967)   HM

155 - DIRTY WATER - The Standells (1966)   HM

156 - SHORT SHORTS - The Royal Teens (1958)   HM

157 - HEY YA - OutKast (2003)   xx

158 - SHERRY - The Four Seasons (1962)   HM

159 - SUMMERTIME BLUES - Blue Cheer (1968)   69

160 - WHAT DOES IT TAKE - Jr. Walker and the All-Stars (1969)   xx

161 - GRAZING IN THE GRASS - Friends of Distinction (1969)   xx

162 - STAND BY ME - Ben E. King (1961)   HM

163 - GREEN GRASS - Gary Lewis and the Playboys (1966)   xx

164 - SUMMERTIME - Janis Joplin (1969)   54

165 - BUS STOP - The Hollies (1966)   84

166 - GTO - Ronny and the Daytonas (1964)   53

167 - DAYDREAM - The Lovin' Spoonful (1966)   xx

168 - SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER - The Motels (1983)   HM

169 - GO ALL THE WAY - The Raspberries (1972)   78

170 - EYE OF THE TIGER - Survivor (1982)   xx

171 - HELLO MUDDUH, HELLO FADDAH - Allan Sherman (1963)   xx

172 - WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND - Grand Funk Railroad (1973)   xx

173 - MY CHERIE AMOUR - Stevie Wonder (1969)   xx

174 - THE LETTER - The Box Tops (1967)   xx

175 - SUMMER (THE FIRST TIME) - Bobby Goldsboro (1973)   64

176 - HUNGRY - Paul Revere and the Raiders (1966)   xx

177 - ALONG COMES MARY - The Association (1966)   xx

178 - MAKE IT WITH YOU - Bread (1970)   xx

179 - MAGIC - The Cars (1984)   xx

180 - SMOKE ON THE WATER - Deep Purple (1973)   xx

181 - ALL SUMMER LONG - Kid Rock (2008)  xx

182 - MAKE ME SMILE - Chicago (1970)   xx

183 - VENTURA HIGHWAY - America (1972)  xx

184 - SOAK UP THE SUN - Sheryl Crow (2002)   HM

185 - LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND - Pat Boone (1957)   HM

186 - OLD DAYS - Chicago (1975)   xx

187 - SOMEBODY TO LOVE - Jefferson Airplane (1967)   86

188 - TWISTING THE NIGHT AWAY - Sam Cooke (1962)   xx

189 - SUNDOWN - Gordon Lightfoot (1974)   xx

190 - MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME - Three Dog Night (1970)   xx

191 - THEME FROM "A SUMMER PLACE" - The Lettermen (1965)   HM

192 - SUNNY DAYS - Lighthouse (1972)   xx

193 - DEAD MAN'S CURVE - Jan and Dean (1964)   xx

194 - ALL RIGHT NOW - Free (1970)   xx

195 - TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1974)   xx

196 - TIGHTER, TIGHTER - Alive 'n' Kickin' (1970)   xx

197 - GET READY - Rare Earth (1970)   xx

198 - 25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago (1970)   xx

199 - HOUND DOG - Elvis Presley (1956)   93

200 - GOD ONLY KNOWS - The Beach Boys (1966)   xx



HONORABLE MENTION:

When you already have 200 Songs IN The Countdown, how many more "extras" can you run?

Well, in this case, 80 more ...

As this list of "Honorable Mentions" covers EVERY record that earned fifty or more votes in our Summer Favorites Poll.

These tracks would make for a welcome addition ANYTIME ... all year round.

59th STREET BRIDGE SONG - Harpers Bizarre  (1967)

ALL DAY MUSIC - War  (1971)          

ALL I WANNA DO - Sheryl Crow  (1994)  HM in 2010

ALLEY OOP - The Hollywood Argyles (1960)

BALL OF CONFUSION - The Temptations  (1970)

BORN TO RUN - Bruce Springsteen  (1975)

BROWN SUGAR - The Rolling Stones  (1971)

CAN'T BUY ME LOVE - The Beatles  (1964)

CATCH A WAVE - The Beach Boys  (1963)  #85 in 2010

CLASSICAL GAS - Mason Williams  (1968)

C'MON MARIANNE - The Four Seasons  (1967)

DANCING IN THE DARK - Bruce Springsteen  (1984)

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC - The Lovin' Spoonful  (1965)  HM in 2010

DON'T BE CRUEL - Elvis Presley  (1956)  #77 in 2010

DON'T SLEEP IN THE SUBWAY - Petula Clark  (1967)

ESCAPE - Rupert Holmes  (1979)

FUNKYTOWN - Lipps, Inc.  (1980)

GET CLOSER - Seals and Crofts  (1976)

GIMME SHELTER - The Rolling Stones  (1969)

A GIRL LIKE YOU - The Young Rascals  (1967)

GOOD LOVIN' - The Young Rascals (1966)

GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE - The Beatles  (1966, 1976)

GREEN ONIONS - Booker T and the MG's  (1962)

THE HEAT IS ON - Glenn Frey  (1985)

HELP! - The Beatles  (1965)

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals  (1964)

I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER - Stevie Wonder  (1967)

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT - The Five Satins  (1956)  HM in 2010

ISLAND IN THE SUN - Weezer  (2001)

IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King  (1962)

LA GRANGE - ZZ Top  (1974)

LAY LADY LAY - Bob Dylan  (1969)

LAZY DAY - Spanky and Our Gang (1967)

LET'S LIVE FOR TODAY - The Grass Roots  (1967)

LITTLE GIRL - Syndicate Of Sound (1966)

LOVELY DAY - Bill Withers   (1978)

MAGIC - Pilot  (1975)

MISS YOU - The Rolling Stones  (1978)

MISSISSIPPI QUEEN - Mountain  (1970)

MONY MONY - Tommy James and the Shondells  (1968)

MR. BLUE SKY - Electric Light Orchestra  (1978)

MY BOY LOLLIPOP - Millie Small  (1964)

ODE TO BILLIE JOE - Bobbie Gentry  (1967)

ONE OF THESE NIGHTS - The Eagles  (1975)

PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE - The Rascals  (1968)

RAMBLIN' MAN - The Allman Brothers Band  (1973)

RASPBERRY BERET - Prince  (1985)

RED RUBBER BALL - The Cyrkle  (1966)

RIDE THE WILD SURF - Jan and Dean  (1964)

SAIL ON SAILOR - The Beach Boys  (1973, 1975)

SAN FRANCISCAN NIGHTS - Eric Burdon and the Animals  (1967)

SIDEWALK SURFIN' - Jan and Dean  (1964)  HM in 2010

SILLY LOVE SONGS Paul McCartney and Wings  (1976)

SISTER GOLDEN HAIR - America  (1975)

SKY PILOT - Eric Burdon and the Animals  (1968)

SLEDGEHAMMER - Peter Gabriel (1986)

SLOOP JOHN B - The Beach Boys  1966)

START ME UP - The Rolling Stones  (1981)

STEAL MY SUNSHINE - Len  (1999)

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT - Frank Sinatra  (1966)

SUGAR SUGAR - The Archies   (1969)

SUMMER HOLIDAY - Cliff Richard  (1963)

SUMMER SAND - Tony Orlando and Dawn  (1971)

SUNSHINE GIRL - Parade  (1967)

TAKE IT EASY - The Eagles  (1972)

THAT SUNDAY, THAT SUMMER - Nat "King" Cole  (1963)

THERE'S NO SURF IN CLEVELAND, USA - The Euclid Beach Band  (1978)  HM in 2010

TURN DOWN DAY - The Cyrkle  (1966)

TWIST AND SHOUT - The Beatles  (1964)

VEHICLE - The Ides Of March  (1970)

WAKE UP SUNSHINE - Chicago  (1970)

WALKIN' ON THE SUN - Smash Mouth  (1998)

WAR - Edwin Starr  (1970)  HM in 2010

WATERFALLS - TLC  (1995)

WE ARE FAMILY - Sister Sledge  (1979)

WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES - Billy Preston  (1973)

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS - Joe Cocker  (1968)

YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE - Stevie Wonder  (1973)

YOU BABY - The Turtles  (1966)  HM in 2010

YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH (HOT SUMMER NIGHTS) - Meatloaf  (1979)