Spotify Users Are Serious About Summer Playlists, and These Stats Prove It

This year, June 20 marks the summer solstice—the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere—but based on the vibes, you'd never guess that the season wasn't already in full swing. That includes the sizzling hot and sunny weather, feeling of freedom in the air and, of course, the energy of the summer soundtracks playing on full blast.

The folks at Spotify have definitely taken notice, because summer tracks and playlists are already taking over the streaming platform. Here's what you need to know.

Summer Playlists

Is it even summertime if you haven't curated an epic playlist for all of your summer adventures? Recently, Spotify reported that there are more than 60 million user-generated playlists on Spotify with "summer" (and translations of  "summer" from all around the globe) on the platform. That's a lot of summertime fun.

 

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The Songs of the Summer

No matter how much time passes, there are certain tracks that capture the spirit of summer in terms of both their sound and lyrics, earning a spot on many a summer playlist. The top all-time tracks added to user-generated summer playlists on Spotify include:

'Summer' by Calvin Harris

This 2014 Calvin Harris hit captures the feelings of young summer love with a laidback dance beat.

 

'Brazil' by Declan McKenna

Declan McKenna's 2017 debut single "Brazil" never mentions summertime by name, but this protest song carries a sense of rebellion and independence, with a groovy, guitar-driven sound, that's a perfect match for the season.

 

'Tongue Tied' by GROUPLOVE

GROUPLOVE's 2011 superhit "Tongue Tied" is another track that never explicitly mentions summer. Still, with its upbeat and high-energy electropop sound, it's bursting with the endless potential of summer youth in a way that's resonated with millions of listeners around the world.

('Tongue Tied' via Atlantic)

 

'Riptide' by Vance Joy

Vance Joy's viral 2014 single "Riptide" captures a different side of the spirit of summer entirely, with a darker and angstier approach to the possibilities the season offers. With its folk-pop approach, it conjures imagery of vacations, yearning and being pulled away by a dangerous yet alluring riptide.

('Riptide' via Atlantic)

 

'The Spins' by Empire Of The Sun and Mac Miller

In 2010, Mac Miller borrowed the beat and chorus from Empire of the Sun's "Half Mast" to create his own summer anthem, "The Spins," and the world has never been the same. In the song, Mac gets lost in the throes of summer fun against coming-of-age instrumentation that feels plucked right out of an '80s movie.

('The Spins' via Rostrum Records)

 

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