Summer Songs Quiz

Based on performance on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, The Beach Boys made the Top 30 Summer Songs list four times with No. 30 ("Surfin’ Safari"), No. 23 ("Surfer Girl"), No. 16 ("California Girls") and No. 8 ("Surfin’ USA").

The 1989 version of "Wipe Out" (sometimes written as "Wipeout") is credited to the Fat Boys and the Beach Boys and features a crazy summertime mix of rap, hip-hop and surf guitar, plus a totally insane video where both bands take a trip to the beach.

The Surfaris sang the No. 3 song on Billboard’s Top 30 Summer Songs list. Most summer anthems earn their day in the sun for their sing-a-long factor, but "Wipe Out" won its claim to fame for a nearly 3-minute guitar instrumental that everyone could surf-a-long to.

Bananarama crooned about a "Cruel Summer" in 1983, and reminded everyone how painful summer can be when you’re lonely. They should have taken some tips from the Go-Go’s 1982 hit "Vacation" and found a summer fling!

Alice Cooper rocked every kid’s summer with the huge hit "School’s Out" which debuted in 1972. Apparently, Cooper was trying to capture the excitement you feel during those 3 minutes when you are waiting for the final school bell to ring before summer vacation starts. Once the bell rings, school’s out forever!

"Summertime Blues" made it on the soundtrack of the 1980 film "Caddyshack." But the song was already a hit back in 1958, as an ode to how crummy it is to have to work during the summer when all you want to do is hang out with your friends. Those are some serious summertime blues.

Chad and Jeremy were the folk-rock duo who recorded "A Summer Song" in 1964 and sang about saying goodbye to their summer loves. Sniff, sniff.

"Summertime" is one of the most covered songs in music history and it became a summertime hit in 1966 when Billy Stewart sang his version featuring his unique scat-singing style.

A woodie is a nickname for a station wagon with wood paneling on the side. It’s the perfect vehicle for loading up your surfboard and cooler and heading to the beach with your friends.

This 1972 hit featured a child’s toy piano on the recording. This whimsy was quite appropriate as this song reminded listeners of simple pleasures during the difficult time of the Vietnam war.

"Suddenly Last Summer" was a Tennessee Williams play and a hit summer song for The Motels in 1983. Eerily, Tennessee Williams died in February of 1983 during the same month that The Motels returned to the studio to record their album Little Robbers, which features their summertime hit.

Nat King Cole’s upbeat pop hit "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" was a fun romp about beach picnics and girls in bikinis. Though it had an old-fashioned feel, it still made to Billboard’s Top 30 Summer Songs chart at No. 20.

Justin Timberlake put a modern spin on summer romance with his chart-topper "Summer Love" which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard chart on June 9, 2007.

“Saturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July” is a snippet from the well-known "Saturday in the Park" lyrics. This summer song was part of many Saturday picnics when it was released in 1972.

Katy Perry released "California Gurls" (yes, with a “u”) in 2010, with a little help from Snoop Dog on vocals. Her bouncy tune that boasts about the beauties of California was a No. 1 hit in May 2010, and is the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Top 30 Summer Songs list.

Bryan Adams’ "Summer of ’69" is a classic anthem about playing music with your buddies and meeting girls at the drive-in. The song is featured at No. 13 on the Billboard Top 30 Summer Songs chart. Who said they’d never get far?

In 1995, Shaggy brightened up the radio waves with his reggae take on "In the Summertime." Mungo Jerry’s funky tropical hit debuted in 1970, and was the U.K. group’s only major U.S. hit.

"Summer Nights" sings the praises of the summer fling, which brought Sandy and Danny together. After a few ups and downs, they kept their relationship going. Apparently black, skin-tight leggings will do that for you.

Sly and the Family Stone had a hit summer song on the charts, "Hot Fun in the Summertime," when they played Woodstock in 1969. Oddly enough, they didn’t even play that song at the concert.

"Summer in the City" by The Lovin’ Spoonful captured the gritty essence of the daytime city heat and the playful vibe of evening adventures. It's a pity that the days can't be like the nights, in the summer, in the city.