Classic R&B songs perfect for summer: recommended popular tracks

In Japan, when summer arrives, up-tempo songs that evoke the season start appearing on the scene.

While you can see a similar trend overseas, when it comes to R&B, even if the lyrics evoke summer, the melodies don’t necessarily follow that pattern.

This time, I’ve picked out overseas R&B tracks from the perspective of “suiting summer”! I’ve selected refreshing R&B songs—perfect for summer evenings or relaxation time—across different eras, so whether you’re a fan of Western music or not, be sure to check them out!

Playlist

Classic R&B songs perfect for summer: recommended popular tracks
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	SnoozeSZA		SZA’s classic R&B song that sings about the depth of love
2	FoldedKehlani		A light, airy singing voice that depicts the crossroads of life
3	Best PartDaniel Caesar & H.E.R.		A pure love song of Canada and America
4	BodySummer Walker		Summer Walker’s sensual summer song
5	WaterTyla		Tyla’s Passionate South African Music
6	PUSH 2 STARTTyla		A song that sings of Taira’s confidence and an equal, mutual love
7	LocationKhalid		A song of pure love that goes beyond social media
8	No ChillPARTYNEXTDOOR		New release from a Canadian R&B artist
9	Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign)Jason Derulo		Jason Derulo's summer hit song
10	TripElla Mai		Ella Mai’s summer slow jam “Trip”
11	Leave the Door OpenBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic		Bruno Mars’s soul-style hit song(s)
12	Summer Too HotChris Brown		An R&B artist who has remained at the top for many years
13	Spanish JointD’Angelo		D’Angelo’s sophisticated musicality
14	Fire We MakeAlicia Keys, Maxwell		R&B duet “Fire We Make,” sexy
15	Body PartyCiara		Ciara's sophisticated R&B track
16	Get Up ft. ChamillionaireCiara		A summer track by the captivating R&B singer Ciara
17	Ella Tú Y YoGirl Ultra		A summer classic by a Mexican R&B singer
18	Let It Go ft. Missy Elliott, Lil’ KimKeyshia Cole		Keisha Cole’s distinctive R&B music
19	BurnUsher		A song that captures both the heat and the coolness of summer
20	Love ItBilal		A classic by Bilal, a singer who represents neo-soul.
21	Good DaysSZA		Sing about the bittersweet feelings at the end of summer
22	On SightCoco Jones		The passion of Coco Jones resonating on a summer night
23	Burning BlueMariah the Scientist		Mariah's album hit No. 1 in the U.S.
24	Take You DownSZA		A mysterious track to listen to on a summer night
25	To Summer, From ColeSummer Walker		Summer Walker’s heartwarming song
26	On My MamaVictoria Monét		A powerful, self-affirming song that resonates with the heart
27	SLOW DANCING IN THE DARKJoji		Joji’s debut album reached No. 1 in the U.S.
28	Really Into YouAround the way		Signature song commentary of Around the Way
29	Offa MeDavido		A summer collaboration between Afrobeats and R&B
30	WHEN I’M WITH YOU feat. TylaLiSA		Lisa’s moving song depicting a summer romance
31	Girls Need LoveSummer Walker		A classic song that sings the true feelings of women on a summer night
32	SummertimeBeyoncé · P. Diddy		A summer love song, a fusion of Beyoncé and P. Diddy
33	Miss YouAaliyah		Aaliyah’s melancholic R&B hit
34	Before I Let GoBeyoncé		Performance film at Coachella
35	ScandalousMis-Teeq		An R&B track with a mystique that resonates in summer
36	7 DaysCraig David		Craig David’s classic song “7 Days”
37	EarfquakeTyler, The Creator		Tyler’s track, a wistful ’80s-style sound
38	Can’t Let GoAnthony Hamilton		Anthony Hamilton's Summer R&B
39	I BetCiara		Ciara’s summery R&B classic
40	ImportedJessie Reyez & 6LACK		A love story of men and women where infidelity and unrequited feelings intertwine.
41	Free SpiritKhalid		A song by Khalid with an impressive guitar riff
42	KarmaQueen Naija		A hugely popular singer as an influencer
43	SensitivityRalph Tresvant		R&B hit song, Ralph’s captivating debut
44	In My Bag ft. GloRillaFLO		Flow, music of feminine power and self-esteem
45	CollideJustine Skye ft Tyga		A classic masterpiece depicting sweet romance, where passion and emotion resonate.
46	Hair Down ft. Kendrick LamarSiR		Self-expression through SIRUP’s sophisticated R&B
47	UndecidedChris Brown		Chris Brown’s heartbreak music video and classic remix
48	Girls Need Love Remix (with Drake)Summer Walker		A collaboration song by Summer Walker and Drake
49	You’re Makin’ Me HighToni Braxton		Toni Braxton's R&B classic
50	My BooGhost Town DJs		A classic, fast-paced R&B song perfect for summer
51	MajicJoe		Joe's R&B, the captivating summer classic 'Majic'
52	EmotionDestiny’s Child		Classic R&B song with an easy-to-listen melody
53	1 ThingAmerie		Aimer’s classic R&B, perfect for summer
54	Back TogetherAmorphous, Kehlani		R&B songs by up-and-coming artists
55	BabyAshanti		Ashanti’s moody R&B classic
56	Crazy In LoveBeyoncé		A classic upbeat, summer-ready R&B track
57	Before I Let You GoBlackstreet		R&B classics, refreshing music for summer
58	MotownphillyBoyz II Men		The classic summer hit by Boyz II Men
59	Smokin Out The WindowBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic		Silk Sonic’s summer-ready classic
60	I WishCarl Thomas		Beautiful R&B classics to listen to in the summer
61	With YouChris Brown		Chris Brown's soothing/healing songs
62	When You Look At MeChristina Milian		Christina’s R&B song that feels pleasant in the summer
63	UntitledD’Angelo		Sweaty, sultry music: D’Angelo’s “Untitled.”
64	Just Us ft. SZADJ Khaled		A collaboration track between DJ Khalid and an artist
65	Right NowElaine		Recommended South African R&B singers for the summer
66	Not Another Love SongElla Mai		Ella Mai's latest slow jam track
67	Shot ClockElla Mai		Ella Mai’s signature song, “Shot Clock.”
68	Spiritual ThangEric Benét		Eric Benét’s sweet R&B music
69	Caught UpFLO		'90s-style R&B, depicting the struggles of love
70	Love Like ThisFaith Evans		90s soulful R&B with a summery vibe is its charm.
71	DiffrencesGinuwine		A timeless melancholic R&B track perfect for summer
72	Heartbreak AnniversaryGiveon		Giveon's signature song “Heartbreak Anniversary”
73	Played YourselfGrace Weber		Grace Weber’s soulful R&B
74	Let’s ChillGuy		Guy’s classic R&B songs to listen to in the summer
75	Come Through ft. Chris BrownHer		Next-generation R&B that evolves slow jams
76	Could’ve Been ft. Bryson TillerHer		A mysterious R&B love song
77	One WomanJade		An R&B classic with a groove perfect for summer listening
78	Come Back To MeJanet Jackson		Janet Jackson's heartbreak ballad
79	Ain’t It FunnyJennifer Lopez		R&B classics and heart-touching summer songs
80	Triggered (freestyle)Jhené Aiko		The beauty and intensity of Jhené Aiko’s song “Triggered”
81	Bussdown feat. ShayboJorja Smith		A unique musical style blending reggae and R&B
82	After The Storm ft. Tyler, The Creator, Bootsy CollinsKali Uchis		Kali Uchis is a big hit, and her mellow music is popular.
83	Nights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)Kehlani		A collaboration song by Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign
84	Make It Last ForeverKeith Sweat		An iconic R&B track with a chill vibe
85	EXKiana Lede		A wistful summer song about breaking up with an ex-girlfriend
86	One TimeMK xyz		MKXY's R&B trap music
87	Love Takes TimeMariah Carey		A sophisticated summer R&B hit song
88	Real LoveMary J Blige		Mary J. Blige’s classic song “Real Love”
89	Countless TimesMarzz		Enjoy chill music by the seaside
90	Remember The TimeMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's summer hit
91	He’s MineMokenstef		A refreshing R&B track that shines in the summer
92	Stay or GoMonica		An upbeat summer song with delicate R&B vibes
93	Get It On ToniteMontell Jordan		A classic R&B song, a moody summer track
94	PainMuni Long		A song by the R&B artist Muni Long
95	HalfcrazyMusiq		An R&B classic, a summer track that exudes rich Black soul
96	Hot In HerreNelly		An iconic summer classic of R&B
97	Is This The EndNew Edition		A sophisticated summer classic by an R&B artist
98	Step In The Name Of LoveR. Kelly		Iconic R&B song by R. Kelly appears
99	WeakSWV		A classic that colors the summer with an R&B track
100	Maria Maria ft. The Product G&BSantana		Santana’s Latin R&B hit song!
101	CYBAHSyd, Lucky Daye		Diversifying R&B and its fusion with electronic music
102	CreepTLC		Signature song by the R&B female trio TLC
103	Stranger In My HouseTamia		A classic R&B song with a melancholic melody, perfect for summer.
104	Hush HushThe Pussycat Dolls		A group with sexy and authentic musicality
105	Please MeCardi B & Bruno Mars		Bruno Mars and Cardi B's Valentine’s song
106	Fallin’Alicia Keys		Alicia Keys' classic, perfect for summer
107	GirlFriendBobby Brown		R&B classics, timeless songs that color the summer
108	Versace on the FloorBruno Mars		Bruno Mars’s diverse music and masterpieces
109	Feels Like SummerChildish Gambino		Childish Gambino’s summer R&B
110	Take You DownChris Brown		Sexy R&B songs to listen to on summer nights
111	Walking AwayCraig David		Craig David's R&B classic
112	Pick Up Your FeelingsJazmine Sullivan		Jazmine Sullivan’s summer-ready songs
113	I Wanna KnowJoe		Introducing signature songs by Joe, the R&B singer
114	As We LayKelly Price		R&B classics, songs perfect for summer
115	Bliss Abroad ft. SheléaMasego		Saxophonist Masego’s summer R&B track
116	Because Of YouNe-Yo		A summer track by Ne-Yo, an R&B singer in the style of Michael
117	UnfairRayana Jay		Cool tracks by Black female artists
118	Long As I LiveToni Braxton		The Comeback of R&B Singer Toni Braxton