Playlist: the Songs of Summer

This playlist makes us wish we were on a deserted island somewhere, drinking a lemonade slushie and falling asleep to the sounds of the surf. Thanks, aleyna22!— Sparkitors

Editor's note: We haven't linked to the songs that include profanity.

Ah, sweet summer. It's the most sweltering, dull, absolutely wonderful time of the year, but it just isn't complete without a playlist. Not any old playlist will do—you need one that's custom-made with your summer in mind. From laughing in the sun with your pals to suffering through a rainy day in a hotel room, this playlist has a song for every moment of your vacation!

Summer Moment: Sitting on the beach and taking in the scenery
Song and Artist: Island in the Sun by Weezer
Last summer, it was my ultimate mission to listen to this at the beach. Mission accomplished. You should give it a try, but if Weezer's not your thing, here are some other breezy tunes that will do the job: Diplomat's Son by Vampire Weekend, and Let's Just Fall in Love Again by Jason Castro.

Summer Moment: Enduring a long car ride
Song and Artist: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Say you're in the middle of a mind-numbingly boring car ride to Universal Studios so you can experience the new Harry Potter World. Want to make the time pass quickly?  Just listen to this classic rock anthem 30 times in a row, and before you know it, you'll be enjoying a meal at the Three Broomsticks! If a Robert Plant marathon is too much for you, any Beatles album will do. Your parents will be impressed with your selection, plus the song Ticket to Ride is PERFECT for traveling.

Summer Moment: You and your friends want to make a music video but can't decide on a song
Song and Artist: Dental Care by Owl City
Also recommended: Just a Friend by Biz Markie and Bacon and Eggs by Priscilla Renea—hooray for 80s rap and breakfast food!

Summer Moment: Riding in the convertible with the top down
Song and Artist: On Top of the World by T.I. Ft. Ludacris and B.o.B.
If you don't like rap or profanity, this song is not for you. But heck, I hate both of those things and I LOVE this song! So turn up the stereo as loud as it can go, let your hair down, and beware of senior citizens—your old grouchy neighbor is not gonna like this.

Summer Moment: So bored you just might die
Song and Artist: Thriller by Michael Jackson
Learn the dance, and when your friends get home from all those exotic vacations that you weren't invited to go on, put on a little show and make those sorry suckers jealous.

Summer Moment: Feeling a little homesick during summer camp
Song and Artist: Dear Friends by Queen
Lying awake in the wee hours of the morning missing your sibs? (Yeah, right.) This simple lullaby is short and sweet, and Freddie Mercury's smooth voice will help you fall asleep and forget your worries in no time. It's much better than an Eddie Cullen lullaby, anyways.

Summer Moment: Hosting a backyard barbeque
Song and Artist: Summer Girls by LFO
This laid-back 90's hit will make your guests hungry for more. It's the perfect chill song for a breezy get-together with your loved ones.

Summer Moment: On a boat
Song and Artist: I'm On a Boat by The Lonely Island Ft. T-Pain
Well, this one is a given. Also recommended: Yellow Submarine by The Beatles and Spain by Between the Trees (Unknown song alert! You will love it).

Summer Moment: Visiting your family in Miami
Song and Artist: I'm In Miami B***h by LMFAO
Obviously!

Summer Moment: Staring out the bedroom window on a rainy afternoon
Song and Artist: Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron and Wine
While the mood of the song matches the somber weather outside perfectly, the lyrics are strange enough to entertain you for a few minutes of the dreary day. Also recommended: Mad World by Gary Jules (might I suggest the Adam Lambert version?) or Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles.

Summer Moment: Stressing about summer reading assignments
Song and Artist: Vienna by Billy Joel
When a ten page essay on symbolism in Anthem is eating away at your sanity, the lyrics to this beautiful song pretty much say it all. "Slow down, you're doin' fine"...so throw down the book, Ayn Rand can wait!

Summer Moment: A midnight swim with your friends
Song and Artist: Umm, who's going to get out of the pool and change the song? No one, that's who. This is the time to sing random songs of your choice at the top of your lungs while making up water dances for them. When you've got all the choreography worked out, take turns putting on a show in front of one of the pool's glowing lights. Not that my friends and I have umm...done this before. We’ve never even been swimming before, so quit looking at me like that. Recommended songs: Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus and Don't Stop Believing by Journey. Harmonizing My Girl also works fabulously. Not that we've done that either.

And now, for the single most important piece of your playlist: Your Summer Theme Song. Your summer theme song can't be chosen by anyone but yourself, so put your iPod on shuffle and find one! The best track will bring back sweet memories of laying lazily in hammocks, sipping lemonade by the pool, hitting on the cute lifeguard, and everything else wonderful about summer! And trust me, plenty more amazing memories will be made this June and July, so when you hear your theme song a few years down the road, you'll be able to smile and say, "Oh yeah, now that was summer."

What's your ultimate summer theme song?

Related post: Playlist: The Perfect Songs for Any Mood