[2025] Songs You’ll Want to Listen to This Summer! Popular and Recommended Classic Rock Tracks from the West

Suddenly Last SummerThe Motels

The Motels – Suddenly Last Summer

This is a 1983 hit song whose Japanese title, “Omoide no Last Summer” (“Last Summer of Memories”), evokes the scent of the 1980s.

The Motels, formed in California in the 1970s and centered around vocalist Martha Davis—known for her mysterious allure and languid delivery—were a new wave band that scored most of their hits in the ’80s.

Reaching No.

9 on the U.

S.

Billboard chart, this track memorably captures the bittersweet feeling at summer’s end.

With lyrics about lost innocence and a sense of loss, it sings of the fleeting passage of time, resonating alongside scenes that evoke the end of summer.

It’s a perfect song for those who want to reminisce about memories at the beach or sink into the poignant mood of late summer.

ChangeThe Revivalists

The Revivalists – Change

The Revivalists are an eight-piece American rock band.

As a large ensemble, they perform not only with the core band instruments but also draw on a wide range of tones, including steel guitar, saxophone, and trumpet.

Change is a track released in 2019, and its bluesy feel and vocals create a distinctive atmosphere.

Listening to the cool, confident vocals makes you feel as if you’re basking in a summer night breeze.

Highly recommended when you want to cool down!

Hot StuffThe Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones – Hot Stuff – OFFICIAL PROMO

The Rolling Stones—needless to say, the world’s most powerful rock band—have been at the forefront for over half a century since the early 1960s.

The song introduced here is a track from their 1976 album Black and Blue.

With a fresh style that incorporates elements of disco and funk, it features Charlie Watts’s drumming and Bill Wyman’s funky bass lines to memorable effect.

The lyrics, which express a passionate love for music and rhythm, give listeners a burst of positive energy.

It’s the perfect track to lift your spirits—whether on a summer drive or at a party with friends.

She Bangs the Drums (Live In Blackpool)The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses – She Bangs the Drums (Live In Blackpool)

Let me introduce a masterpiece by The Stone Roses, a rock band Britain is proud of.

Released in 1989 and included on their debut album, this track reached No.

36 on the UK Singles Chart.

Its blend of rhythmic drums and melodic guitar brilliantly conveys the cheerfulness and sense of freedom of summer.

The lyrics capture fresh, first-love-like emotions and an indescribable sense of wonder, making it a song that truly symbolizes the momentum of 1990s British rock.

It has remained beloved over the years, even appearing as a bonus track in the music game Guitar Hero III.

Give it a listen on a hot summer day, and you’ll surely feel a pleasant sense of liberation.

Long Hot SummerThe Style Council

The Style Council – Long Hot Summer (Stereo)

This work by The Style Council, a band Britain is proud of, skillfully incorporates elements of soul and jazz.

Since its release in the summer of 1983, it has remained one of their signature songs.

Its melancholic atmosphere and gentle sound blend exquisitely, evoking the sentiment of a fading summer.

The laid-back rhythm and soul-stirring chord progression convey the bittersweet change of seasons.

Carried by Paul Weller’s vocals, it expresses a desire to leave the bustle of the city behind and find true happiness.

It’s the kind of track that brings a pleasant breeze on a summer day when you want to relax.

Diamond HeadThe Ventures

The Ventures – Diamond Head (1965)

A dazzling pillar of instrumental surf rock that shines like the summer sun! Included on the 1964 album Walk, Don’t Run, Vol.

2, this track features distinctive electric guitar tones and overflows with a breezy vibe that instantly evokes the beach.

It reached No.

70 on the Billboard chart in the U.

S.

, and in Japan it became a million-seller with over 1.

85 million copies sold.

It also scored a major hit across Asia, topping Hong Kong’s charts in March 1965.

Perfect as background music for a drive or a day at the beach, it’s highly recommended for anyone looking to savor the summer to the fullest.

The First Day Of SummerTony Carey

Tony Carey – The First Day Of Summer

This song features a refreshing, catchy melody perfect for the season when summer light shines.

Tony Carey’s clear, transparent vocals beautifully capture the sparkle of youth and a spirit of adventure.

Released as a single from the 1984 album “Some Tough City,” it became a popular track, reaching No.

33 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was also used on the soundtrack of the film “Secret Admirer,” earning broad support across audiences.

The lyrics celebrate youth and freedom, resonating with anyone eager to make summer memories.

It’s sure to become the perfect track to color your summer, whether as driving music or a seaside BGM.