Ten Great Summer Albums

Ah, summer is upon us and now's the time for driving around with the windows open, blasting some awesome summer tunes on your radio and jamming as you enjoy the warm weather. There are all sorts of songs that hearken summer for many different people. Summer songs like Sheryl Crow's '˜Soak Up the Sun' or Natasha Bedingfield's '˜Pocketful of Sunshine' are just the types of songs that could be on anyone's summer playlist, but there are so many more to choose from.

The albums on this list are perfect for summertime listening. Like the weather, they brighten spirits and elevate moods with every listen. The albums listed here are in no particular order and the genres represented are across the spectrum of musical tastes, from 60's surfing music to head banging rock to brand new summer beats. Take a look:

Sounds of Summer '" the Very Best of the Beach Boys

When you think of summer and music, there's no group that comes to mind quicker than the Beach Boys. This group caught a wave of hit summer records throughout the sixties with such surfer classics as '˜Help Me Rhonda,' '˜Surfin' Safari,' '˜Surfin' USA,' '˜California Girls,' and so many more. A barbecue on the beach would be awesome with these boys playing the music! For a teaser, check out the Boys' timeless beach classic, '˜Kokomo,' right here .

Greatest Hits On the Radio '" Donna Summer

What would a summer music collection be without music from the inimitable Donna Summer? This classic album was released during the disco diva's heyday and is a continuous mix of some of her greatest disco hits, including the title track, '˜Hot Stuff,' '˜Bad Girls,' Enough is Enough,' '˜I Love You,' and many, many more! Check out a live performance of the classic '˜Heaven Knows' by Donna and the Brooklyn Dreams here .

LOVE? '" Jennifer Lopez

This is J-Lo's brand new album and it's full of fun songs with a Latin flavor that are great as a backdrop for summertime fun. Standout tracks off the album include the funky '˜Good Hit,' the melodic and irresistible '˜I'm Into You,' featuring Lil Wayne, and of course her latest smash, the '˜Lambada' sampled '˜On the Floor' with Pitbull. Check out the video for that one right here .

Ultra Top Ten, April 2011 '" Various Artists

This digital-only compilation is a monthly series put out by the folks at iTunes and this one's full of songs that'll have you dancing all summer long. With vintage sounding contemporaries such as the catchy '˜Mr. Saxobeat' and '˜Hey (Nah Neh Nah), and feel good songs like '˜Sun Is Up' and '˜Love is the Answer,' this one is a hidden gem of an album! Check out the popular '˜Mr. Saxobeat' right here .

We Like to Party - Venga Boys

This campy album from the late 1990's is full of Eurodance pop ditties that just ooze summer fun. This one's got such popping and thumping hits as the title track, '˜Boom, Boom, Boom,' '˜We're Going to Ibiza,' '˜Up and Down,' and more. Check out the summery video for '˜We Like to Party' here . "The Venga bus is coming -- "

Tuesday Night Music Club '" Sheryl Crow

Back in the summer of 1993, the talented singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow released a collection of soft rock ditties that are perfect for a summer night beach party or for blasting in the car on the open road. The singer's debut album scored several hits, such as the universal '˜All I Wanna Do,' the tender '˜Strong Enough,' and the sing-along '˜Can't Cry Anymore.' Even the non-hits on '˜Tuesday Night Music Club' are great summer songs like the fun '˜Na Na Song' and the folksy '˜Leaving Las Vegas.' Check out the singer's standard, '˜All I Wanna Do' right here .

Back in Black '" AC/DC

Australian band AC/DC's '˜Back in Black' is one of the most head banging albums ever recorded and is chock full of rockin' hits for any summer day at a beach bar or driving along the beach on A1A. The record is full of such classics as the title cut, '˜Hell's Bells,' and my personal favorite, '˜You Shook Me All Night Long,' which you can listen to here .

The Best That I Could Do '" John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp is one of the unsung heroes of rock and roll. With his own unique style of Mid-American, Corn Belt type of rock music, he's managed to build up quite a collection of great songs, perfect for any 4^th of July barbecue. This record's a compilation of the singer's greatest hits, including '˜Jack and Diane,' '˜Cherry Bomb,' R.O.C.K. in the USA,' '˜Pink Houses,' and so many more. Check out his classic, '˜Small Town,' right here .

Greatest Hits '" The Go Go's

Summer is vacation time for most people and what better way to celebrate time off from work than with this album of 80's pop tunes from one of the biggest acts of the decade. Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Shock, and Kathy Valentine are celebrating 30 years of making such universally recognized and fun songs such as "Our Lips Are Sealed,' '˜Vacation,' '˜This Town,' and this one, the head bopping, foot stomping '˜ We Got the Beat .'

Madonna '" Madonna

Madonna's first top ten hit, '˜Borderline,' reached the #10 position in the summer of 1984 and it was just one of those great dance/pop tunes that flowed throughout the star's debut album. With great stuff such as '˜Holiday,' '˜Burning Up,' '˜Everybody,' and '˜Lucky Star,' this album is great for some dancing and reminiscing at any summer dance party. Check out some vintage Madonna here with '˜Lucky Star.'

So there you have it, my choices for ten great summer albums. Whether you're relaxing on the beach, taking a long road trip, or just hanging out in your backyard, any of these albums will surely add to your summer fun!