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As the mercury rises and the days stretch endlessly under the sunny skies, it's time to revisit the anthems that have powered our summers through the last five decades. From the serene and harmonious vibes of the '70s to the infectious beats that have defined recent years, take a walk down memory lane with Airpulse and our curated playlist that's as fun and diverse as summer itself.
Enjoy our curated list of 10 stand-out summer anthems from the past five decades that have helped define the soundtrack of summers gone by:
1. 1970s: "Summer Breeze" - Seals and Croft (1972)
This soft rock classic, with its easygoing melody and harmonious vocals, encapsulates the quintessential laid-back summer vibe, making it an enduring anthem of the season.
2. 1980s: "Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and The Waves (1983)
With its infectiously upbeat tempo and joyous lyrics, "Walking on Sunshine" is a timeless summer anthem that continues to evoke feelings of warmth and happiness.
3. 1980s: "The Boys of Summer" - Don Henley (1984)
Henley's nostalgic ode to lost love and passing time has a hauntingly beautiful melody that has made it a perennial favorite for the summer season.
4. 1990s: "Summertime" - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1991)
This smooth hip-hop track, with its laid-back beats and reflective lyrics, captures the essence of summer's carefree days and warm nights.
5. 1990s: "California Love" - 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman (1996)
This West Coast anthem, celebrated for its catchy hook and iconic synthesizer line, has become an emblematic summer party track.
6. 2000s: "Crazy in Love" - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z (2003)
The explosive debut single from Beyoncé, featuring a high-energy beat and memorable horn riffs, quickly became the soundtrack of the summer and launched her solo career.
7. 2000s: "Umbrella" - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z (2007)
Despite its references to rain, "Umbrella" dominated the summer charts with its addictive melody and Rihanna's powerful vocals, becoming a pop anthem.
8. 2010s: "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers (2013)
This funk-infused hit, with its catchy chorus and smooth vocals, captured the essence of summer nights and became a global phenomenon.
9. 2010s: "Despacito" - Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee (2017)
The reggaeton-pop track exploded worldwide, becoming a summer staple and one of the most streamed songs in history.
10. 2020s: "Watermelon Sugar" - Harry Styles (2019)
Although released in 2019, "Watermelon Sugar" found its stride as a summer anthem in 2020. With its infectious melody and summery lyrics, it became a symbol of longing for carefree summer days during a global pandemic.
This list traverses genres and decades, offering a glimpse into how summer anthems have evolved while continuing to encapsulate the spirit of the season. Each track, in its time, not only dominated the charts but also captured the collective imagination, becoming an indispensable part of the summer soundtrack for generations of listeners.
