If you’re a Zillennial, summer wasn’t just about the endless amounts of sunscreen and Bomb Pops — it was also about having a soundtrack, too.

The soundtrack of the summer during the old days was centered around the golden age of ringtones, MySpace profile songs and pool party anthems. These songs were inescapable, but they serve as a beautiful reminiscent of what our summers used to be. So sit back, relax, and take a drip down memory lane of the biggest summer jams from our childhood!

15. California Gurls by Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg (2010)

Nothing screams summer than California Gurls! Back then, most of us were still young and couldn’t care less about the cringey lyrics, along with the candy-colored music video and endless radio play. Does it still hit? Kind of — it’s pure sunshine and nostalgia, but it’s very 2010-coded.

Rating: 3/5

14. Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae) by Silentó (2015)

This thumping hip-hop song coupled with a dance craze appealed to millions of people, even former President Barack Obama himself! The song was so simple for anyone to dance to regardless of age, but it has been deemed a “one hit wonder” for the artist. Despite this, I’m pretty sure that the song has managed to attract some Gen Alpha kids.

Rating: 3/5

13. Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (2011)

We were shuffling every summer — and probably still shuffling every day. With this personality trait, it popularized school dances, roller rinks and every awkward middle school function imaginable. It’s impossible not to smile when it comes on, but listening to it now feels like opening a time capsule from peak neon culture. 

Rating: 3/5

12. Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson (2004)

This song taught us what it meant to be angry and free at the same time. We were too young to experience breakups in order to fully get it, so we pre-loaded it onto a future heartbreak and waited. Trust me, the wait was worth it. The bridge is still phenomenal — especially if you have an excuse to scream at the top of your lungs.

Rating: 4/5

11. Glamorous by Fergie ft. Ludacris (2007)

The spelling verse remains as one of the most memorable moments of the song. Every Zillennial who saw this as their personal theme song while eating barbeque at a 2007-esque birthday party has something to reckon with. The nostalgia is real and the self-awareness is richer now.

Rating: 4/5

10. Teenage Dream by Katy Perry (2010)

Honestly, Katy Perry dominated the summer music scene back in the early ‘10s, and Teenage Dream is the perfect example of this. It captures that specific feeling of being young, falling in love with your crush and living out the best of your days. The song has aged remarkably well and somehow gets better each year.

Rating: 4/5

9. Just Dance by Lady Gaga ft. Colby O’Donis (2008)

When 2008 came around, we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into with the introduction of Lady Gaga. She arrived and rearranged the landscape of pop music that would soon follow her for the rest of her career. To me, the song still sounds like a discovery, yet it’s something that deserved it’s spotlight for how impactful it was.

Rating: 4/5

8. Yeah! by Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris (2004)

Do you remember how big crunk music was back in the day? For the millennials and older Gen-Zers, this is a type of music that we remember vividly. The opening of this song is hip-hop heavy, yet feels dated. Despite how old it is, the song kept up it’s concept to send people out on the dance.

Rating: 4/5

7. Hot in Herre by Nelly (2002)

Hip hop in the noughties was very unique in terms of music and fashion — this song doesn’t fail to prove that. You couldn’t escape any family cookout or backyard party without hearing it. 

Rating: 4/5

6. Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift (2019)

Although this song wasn’t released during our childhood, the summer vibe of the song still deserves a spot on this list. It has become an unofficial summer anthem for those who have lived through the many complexities of a relationship — the bridge itself carries the momentum.

Rating: 5/5 

5. Tik Tok by Ke$ha (2010)

Before TikTok was an app, it was a song. For many Zillennials, it was the soundtrack of transitioning from childhood to adolescence — dating, partying, first times, all of that jazz! The song sounds chaotic, ridiculous and somehow freeing.

Rating: 5/5

4. Umbrella by Rihanna ft. Jay-Z (2007)

You probably couldn’t go anywhere without hearing or mumbling the “ella, ella, eh, eh, eh” line. This is one of the most satisfying sonic experiences in music history and that is a hill that I will die on — Rihanna knew what she was doing and understood the assignment!

Rating: 5/5

3. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen (2012)

Let’s be honest: this song had no business being so good like it was. The song became popular in many countries, cultivated parody and cover videos and made it onto several decade-end song lists. Talk about iconic!

Rating: 5/5

2. Live While We’re Young by One Direction (2012)

Personally, I couldn’t complete this list without picking a One Direction song. “Live While We’re Young” seems like a distant memory filled with nostalgic summers and the undying desire of relieving your younger days. 

Rating: 5/5

1. Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus (2009)

With the Fourth of July coming, this iconic song is the perfect choice to play at for any occasion that you plan to throw. The opening notes, lyrics and bridge takes us all back to when times seem simpler. Although it may seem cheesy to think about, there’s nothing wrong with getting down to a song that you once loved at 15 years old.

Rating: 5/5