Shecky’s

In the summertime when the weather is fine, there’s no better way to spend the day than with the top back, windows rolled down and a great summer song cranked high on the stereo as you and your friends sing along to every word. Whether it’s a day at the beach or a backyard barbecue, every summertime soiree is amped up when paired with a killer soundtrack. A mix of tried-and-true sunny tunes and current chart-toppers, this essential summer song roundup covers all moods, touches all genres and spans decades, so break out your boogie shoes because here are our 24 favorite beach-ready beats!

-Christina Izzo

Sounds of Summer 2012

“We Found Love”-Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
It seems like the Barbados-born singer has dominated every summer since “Umbrella” and this season looks no different. The dance-pop hit has been drawing us to the dance floor all spring, and with its pumped-up synths and electro beat, you can bet we’ll still be shining like yellow diamonds to this single all summer long.

“Call Me Maybe”-Carly Rae Jepsen
You can’t escape it, so why even try? Jepsen’s runaway hit of spring and summer has sparked viral videos starring everyone from Biebs to Jimmy Fallon to the Harvard baseball team, and we really can’t blame them—it’s just so damn catchy!

“Somebody That I Used To Know”-Gotye ft. Kimbra
The Australian import’s smash hit isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (and neither is the slightly creepy video), but with its haunting, on-point lyrics, ’80s-style percussion and general pop perfection, we definitely don’t want it to!

“We Are Young”-Fun. ft. Janelle Monáe
The feel-good song of summer, that big bubbling build-up of a chorus (“Tonight, we are young…”) has been covered by “Glee”, featured in countless commercials and, most of all, has been blasting nonstop in our bedrooms as we gear up for a hot night on the town with our best ladies, planning to set the world on fire and burn brighter than the sun.

Image Credit: hiphop-n-more.com, totallyvivid.com, littlebylisten.com, wackymusiccrazy.org