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

Pumped Up KicksFoster The People

Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks (Official Video)

This song by Los Angeles, California–based Foster the People, released in 2010, is a shocking work that sharply depicts the darker side of modern society beneath an apparently light, pop melody.

Frontman Mark Foster completed it in just five hours; it gives voice to the cries of a troubled youth, leaving a powerful impression through the contrast between its bright sound and heavy theme.

In 2011, it held the No.

3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and became the standout track of their debut album, Torches.

Despite its summery sense of openness, it’s a recommended listen for those who want to think deeply about social issues.

Young & Dumb (feat. Simple Plan)Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – Young & Dumb (feat. Simple Plan) (Official Video)

Avril Lavigne, the Canadian artist who epitomized the 2000s pop-punk scene, released an ambitious collaboration with fellow Canadians Simple Plan in May 2025.

Created by a powerhouse lineup including Chuck Comeau and John Feldmann, the track fuses the high-energy sound and sweet melodies reminiscent of 2000s pop punk.

It’s brimming with charm, balancing a nostalgic vibe with a fresh edge.

The music video features both acts performing at a vintage motel and includes the session that’s become a highlight of Avril’s Greatest Hits Tour.

It’s a gem not only for those who devoted their youth to 2000s pop punk, but also for music fans just getting into the genre.

The Dirt (Est. 1981) (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe – The Dirt (Est. 1981) (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)

This is a track released by Mötley Crüe, the American hair metal band emblematic of the 1980s metal boom, and their first new song in about ten years.

It’s included on the soundtrack of Mötley Crüe’s biographical film, which premiered on the streaming service Netflix in 2019.

It drew attention for featuring the notorious rapper Machine Gun Kelly as a guest.

Be sure to give it a listen along with the film!

StarmanDavid Bowie

David Bowie – Starman

“Starman,” a timeless classic that remains unshakably popular in the long career of rock musician David Bowie, who passed away in 2016.

Released in 1972 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the song depicts a scene in which the album’s protagonist, the rock star Ziggy Stardust, sends a message over the radio to the youth of Earth that they will be saved by an extraterrestrial being known as the Starman.

Its soaring melody in the latter half still gives listeners a refreshing sense of wonder today!

Daddy of MineFour Year Strong

Four Year Strong “daddy of mine” (Official Music Video)

It’s a track with a powerful beat and punchy vocals that instantly makes you feel the heat of summer! This song was released by Four Year Strong in April 2024 and is included on the album “Brain Pain.” While keeping their signature blend of pop-punk and hardcore intact, it delivers deeper lyrics that emphatically sing about the importance of moving forward without being trapped by your own expectations.

Sure to command overwhelming presence live, this piece is perfect for anyone looking to overcome life’s struggles and inner conflicts.

Be sure to check out this quintessential Four Year Strong track!

Summer of 69Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams – Summer Of 69 (Official Music Video)

Bryan Adams, the rock singer from Canada, delivers the perfect summer track with “Summer of ’69,” an up-tempo, powerful song.

The lyrics capture the dilemma of chasing the dream of becoming a rock star versus settling into a more stable life.

The song appears on his fourth album, Reckless, released in 1984, and both the album and the single became hits in countries such as the United States and Australia, propelling Bryan Adams to worldwide fame.

Rock & Roll All NiteKISS

Kiss – Rock And Roll All Nite (From Kiss eXposed)

When it comes to KISS—famed for their white face paint, flashy costumes, and jaw-dropping stage productions—this has to be their signature song.

Released in March 1975, it was included on the album Dressed to Kill and later featured on the live album Alive!.

Also well known as a concert closer, this track pairs a catchy guitar riff with an irresistible sing-along melody, wielding a near-magical power to put a smile on every listener’s face.

The lyrics, crafted by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and celebrating the joy of rock ’n’ roll, burst with an energy that can blow away even the heat of summer.

It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser for any summer moment—at the beach, on a drive, or at a party with friends.