OutKick's 2024 Summer Song Playlist: From Jimmy Buffett To Van Halen

Congratulations everyone, we've officially made it to summer once again.

Sure, technically, summer doesn't officially start until June 20th according to astronomy and planet alignment, and all that, but fortunately for me, and I suspect many of you reading this, we aren't scientists, astronomers, or the like. 

For us, summer starts when that Memorial Day BBQ grill sparks up and the patio furniture is hosed off, and you go through your closet only to find out that your clothes are a bit more snug and tighter since last summer, but that's okay because it's muscle. Sure it is!

But with Memorial Day behind us and the smell of salt water, chlorine-filled pools it's time for the OutKick 2024 Summer Playlist. 

Kenny Chesney is the perfect example of summer fun.  (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Kenny Chesney)

Let's be honest, one can't truly appreciate summer unless they have the windows down, cruisin' down the highway, or the discounted Bose speakers blaring in the backyard to prove to EVERYONE that you are ready to dominate this summer, and you're going to prove it by blasting your favorite songs!

So, I decided to compile what the OutKick audience, some of the OutKick staff as well as myself would include on our Summer Playlist. 

Caution: some of you have awful taste in music!

OUTKICK FANS SONGS OF SUMMER:

For the most part, the OutKick audience had a mixture of Rock ‘n’ Roll, country, and some classics scattered throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Shoutout to this person who brought up the OG classic "Summertime" featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith as the Fresh Prince of Bel Air! Nothing says summer better than this one, literally!

Apparently, we have some Tom Petty fans out there as well, because the late music legend had multiple mentions including, "Runnin' Down a Dream!" Personally, I would have said "American Girl" because that one just screams summer, but hey, the people have spoken!

We also had some RADAR LOVE music fans as well by Golden Earring. To be honest, I think I've heard this song maybe once or twice, but I just listened to the full thing because it was requested so much and WOW, this song is a MUST-ADD to the Songs of Summer Playlist for sure!

Okay, let's stop for a moment because this may literally be the first time Modest Mouse was ever purposely  requested in a summer playlist ever. Of ALL the songs we can choose for summer, Vito here is going super specific with 2004's "Float On." Would love to know what was going on in your life at the time to make you choose this one, Vito!

We also had someone requesting Mack The Knife, which means they DEFINITELY get hammered off of the finest wine and probably have a charcuterie board with the finest mozzarella on this side of the Atlantic. (They better, at least!)

And finally, I just have to shout out Charles in Indy who is either trolling us by saying Earth, Wind and Fire's "September" or was just really upset about the Pacers' loss that he can't wait for next season (so they can lose again.)

OUTKICK STAFF SUMMER SONG PLAYLIST PICKS

The OutKick staff's summer playlist was a bit more diverse than the readers out there. In fact, I'd say it was all over the place.

We had Dan Zaksheske saying that Weezer's "Island in the Sun" was his must-have for the summer as well as anything by Sugar Ray. 

If you ever doubted that David Hookstead didn't love America, fear not because he chose John Denver's "Country Roads."

Meanwhile, our gambling expert Geoff Clark went completely off the rails with his request of Jay-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U"

However, it was OutKick's Amber Snyder who impressed the most, as the Womansplaining weekly columnist sent over an ENTIRE PLAYLIST that she and a friend made years ago that they still listen to every summer. It's 5-plus hours of songs that include literally everything, no matter what summer mood you happen to be in! From Foo Fighters to country and pop classics, it's a good one!

Our fearless leader extraordinaire Gary Schreier said that everyone needs to include the "Eddie and the Cruisers Soundtrack" this summer. Although he's a fan of the whole album, he says "Wild Summer Nights" can be a starting point for the new summer listener!

Finally, Morning Screencaps very own Joe Kinsey said that he gets down and dirty to Christopher Cross's "Sailing." Who knows, maybe you'll see Kinsey singing along to the song if you drive past his house during his Thursday Night Mowing League!

My 2024 Summer Playlist Songs:

Honestly, I am thoroughly disappointed in all of you for your lackluster songs.

I guess this is why I'm the Music Guy!

I don't care who you are or what you do, anyone who wants to have a solid Summer playlist must included the following:

- Tom Petty - "American Girls"
- Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
- Bruce Springsteen - "Glory Days"
- LFO - "Summer Girls"
- Jimmy Buffett (RIP) - "Margaritaville"
- Avicii - "Wake Me Up"
- Any Beach Boys song
- Pitbull - "Give Me Everything"  (Tell 'em HEYYYYY!)
- Calvis Harris "Summer"
- Garth Brooks - "BBQ Stain"
- Kenny Chesney - "Live A Little"

And finally, the absolute MUST-HAVE jam on all summer playlists, Orleans "Still The One." 

I dare you to tell me this song doesn't immediately put you in a carefree and fun mood. 

Of course, we just touched the tip of the massive amount of summer songs to make you feel like you're living again - so feel free to email me: Michael.Gunzelman@OutKick.com or Tweet me: @TheGunzShow to let us know which songs we need to add!