Best Summer Song
Pop music is as quintessential to the summer as warm breezes, lazy afternoons, and margaritas by the pool. And for decades, musical artists have been inspired by the season to create memorable, catchy songs that have, in turn, become required listening every time the warmer months roll around. So for one of our 2024 Summer Specials, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to feel the heat as we name the Best "Summer" Song. Songs discussed include “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama; “Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful; “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato; “Summer Breeze” by Seals & Crofts; “California Gurls” by Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg; “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams; “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley; “Sailing” by Christopher Cross; “Come Sail Away” by Styx; “Summer Lovin’” from Grease; “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters; “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys; and more!
Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Derek Mekita and Kate Racculia, and special guest Ashleigh Stiles from Wizard Radio as they discuss 16 of the most popular songs associated with the summer.
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
For more exclusive content, including warm-up in which we discuss the summer songs we were bummed didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a quick rundown on how we came up with the bracket:
Match-Up 1: “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams (1) vs. “Soak Up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow (4)
Match-Up 2: “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys (3) vs. “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama (2)
Match-Up 3: “Vacation” by The Go-Go’s (1) vs. “Come Sail Away” by Styx (4)
Match-Up 4: “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & the Waves (3) vs. “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato (2)
Match-Up 5: “Summer Nights” from Grease (1) vs. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg (4)
Match-Up 6: “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters (3) vs. “Summer Breeze” by Seals & Crofts (2)
Match-Up 7: “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley (1) vs. “Suddenly Last Summer” by The Motels (4)
Match-Up 8: “Sailing” by Christopher Cross (3) vs. “Summer in the City” by Lovin’ Spoonful (2)
Looking for a playlist featuring the nominated songs, plus additional summer bop suggestions from our panelists? Here you go:
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panel: Derek Mekita, Kate Racculia
Special Guest: Ashleigh Stiles
Producer: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Eric Rezsnyak
