20 essential country songs about summer

This coming-of-age tune centers around a summer of fun on Georgia's Chattahoochee River, and features Alan Jackson water-skiing in a cowboy hat. Is there really anything more summery than that? 

Arguably the most notable country summer anthem, Kenny Chesney drills down into what exactly makes summer so wonderful, like cheap shades, the perfect song on the radio, and of course, a few sips of wine. 

This 1987 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band hit remains a fan favorite more than 30 years later, thanks to its super catchy melody and cheekily romantic lyrics. The protagonist in this tune is much more interested in a little loving than catching any fish, and that's what makes it so darn charming. 

In this song, Chris Janson fantasizes about winning the lottery so he can buy himself a boat for tons of summer adventures that involve a cooler full of beer. Money might not be everything, but as Janson notes here, it sure can buy a whole lot of fun. 

For anyone who grew up near the water, getting out there on a boat is one of the most essential ways to start the summer. "Pontoon" taps into that energy, telling the story of one hell of a party that involves jumping off the boat into the refreshing water, drinking plenty of beer, and soaking up the sun. 

Blake Shelton makes great use of double entendre in "Some Beach," a song that's all about pining for a vacation while still stuck at work. In the song, Shelton dreams of trading the traffic and drudgery of the typical workday for a glamorous beach vacation that involves dancing and plenty of cold margaritas. 

Alan Jackson's got a lot of great hits about the summertime, but arguably the most famous is his 2003 collaboration with Jimmy Buffett on "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." An anthem for working folks everywhere, it's the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of a vacation after a seriously intense year of work. 

The second #1 hit for the Zac Brown Band, "Toes in the Water" was totally ubiquitous after its release in 2009. Who among us didn't want to go stick our toes in the water, butt in the sand, with a cold beer in our hands? 

The lead single from Dierks Bentley's 2008 album "Black," "Somewhere on a Beach" is all about making sure that an old flame knows that he's having the time of his life on the beach with a new love. "I'm somewhere on a beach, sipping something strong," he sings. "Got a new girl, she got it going on, we drink all day, and party all night." 

Alan Jackson's cover of the rockabilly classic "Summertime Blues" found a totally new audience for the tune in 1994. The song was a top-ten hit and remains an anthem for those of us everywhere who are stuck in an office working for a living instead of enjoying a summer of leisure. 

A crossover hit for Jake Owen in 2008, "Beachin" is a love song that could only be set on the sandy shores of Daytona Beach. 

Okay, it's technically not a summertime song, but listening to Glen Campbell's "Galveston" while starting out at the waters of Galveston Bay in Texas is a total bucket list experience for any country fan. It's also about a beach town, making it a perfect fit for your summer playlist. 

One of the first singles from country newcomer Cassadee Pope, released in 2016, "Summer" is a soaring ballad about the fleeting nature of a summer fling. If you ever fell in love on vacation, this song is definitely right up your alley. 

Even though the lyrics to this '90s Deana Carter classic aren't as innocent as they seem on their face, "Strawberry Wine" is the quintessential summer country song. It's about a summer romance fueled by its titular beverage, and it's earned a cult following even decades later for a reason. It's just that good of a song. 

Taking the melody from "Sweet Home Alabama," Kid Rock created a bonafide country juggernaut in "All Summer Long" in 2008. The song was a #1 hit in multiple countries on multiple charts and remains a favorite for summertime barbecues and pool parties. 

Co-written with '80s star Richard Marx, Keith Urban pines over a long-distance love on "Long Hot Summer." "The only place that I wanna be is where you are," he sings. "'Cause any more than a heartbeat away is just too far." If you find yourself in a budding summer romance, definitely consider playing this song to set the mood. 

It may not have the glitz and glamour of the Hamptons or a fancy yacht, but Craig Morgan's 2005 smash "Redneck Yacht Club" still sounds pretty darn appealing. In this "club," all are welcome, as long as you're ready to party and have a good time. 

Recorded alongside Uncle Kracker, "When The Sun Goes Down" is the perfect song for dancing on a warm summer night, especially if you've got someone you love to cozy up with. Fans clearly agree, considering that the song has sold more than 1 million copies since its 2004 release, earning a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. 

It might seem a little silly to write a song about a plastic cup, but anyone from the South knows that the devotion to those plastic red Solo cups is real, and this Toby Keith hit is proof. Play this song at your next pool party, and don't be surprised if everyone sings along. 

This song, released by Chesney in 2003 as the title track of his sixth full-length album, has become a rallying cry of sorts for Chesney's massive fanbase, called the "No Shoes Nation." It was a #2 hit, second only to Alan Jackson's wildly popular "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere."