The 22 Best Songs of Summer 2014
Sarah Richards
Updated on March 29, 2026
Sure, August has barely begun and I'm already calling it a wrap on the "Songs of Summer," but can you blame me? The top two songs of the season were released in February and April respectively and have dominated the charts ever since, so it's highly unlikely any upcoming music is going to swoop in and take the title—but that doesn't mean this list is Predictable Central. Instead of the usual 20, there are 22 songs, which is something that surprised me, but there were a couple of tunes that I simply could not cut. Also, quite a few less dance-y/pop-sounding tracks shook everything up and made their way onto the countdown. So without further ado, I'm presenting my favorite 22 songs that best represent summer 2014.
Usher is doing his best D'Angelo impression in the music video "Good Kisser." Read below to see where the song ends up.
22) Jake Owen—"Beachin'"
You know how the whole "rapping/singing" thing that infiltrated country music a little while back seemed like it was just going to be a fad? Well, it's not. It's here to stay for a while, as evidenced by "Beachin'," the No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. Granted the lyrics aren't presenting anything new ("We got 2-for-1s, we're at a margarita bar/whatever happens happens"), but the music production is well done and the song has the perfect laid-back, easy, breezy vibe that the summer season embodies. So, even though "Beachin'" was the second single released off his fourth album Days of Gold, it's the first (and perfect) song to kick off this list:
21) Rita Ora—"I Will Never Let You Down"
U.K. singer Rita Ora has been having quite the summer. She's featured in Glamour magazine's August 2014 issue and finally having some chart success across the pond in America with her new single "I Will Never Let You Down." Billboard magazine recently named it one of the "10 Best Songs of 2014 (so far)" and rightfully so. It's written by DJ-songwriter Calvin Harris, who you'll be seeing later on this list, and is tailor-made to be in every romantic comedy that comes out this year. "Let You Down" is catchy, bouncy, and shows everyone how dance-pop should be done (hello, synthesizer!):
