Do you have a vacation coming up or want to get in the vacation mood? It would help if you listened to some songs about vacations.
Some of these songs are classics, while others are newer. Either way, you can find a piece that suits your situation and your upcoming travels.
Then, you can get ready for your next trip with the right playlist. Here are some songs about vacations that everyone should know.
Top 25 Songs About Vacation
1. Wheezer – “Island in the Sun”
You can’t start a list of songs about vacation and not include “Island in the Sun.” This song talks about being on holiday (another term for vacation).
The lyrics cover having fun and how you don’t need to think about or remember anything. The lyrics also mention running away with someone, so it’s perfect for couples.
It’s great that it talks about not feeling bad, and the lyrics and beat are both catchy.
2. Jimmy Buffet – “Margaritaville”
Another classic song that focuses on vacation is “Margaritaville.” It talks about the sun and tourists, and Jimmy seems to have spent the whole season in Margaritaville.
He admits that losing track of time is his fault and not anyone else’s. And while it is easy to get lost in your vacation, it’s good to know that you have control.
The beat is also pretty catchy, and many people know this song. The song has become so popular that you can find various Margaritaville’s in famous tourist spots.
3. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out”
Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” may not refer to vacation directly. However, it does mention the end of the school year, which usually coincides with summer break.
Summer is the best time to go on a vacation and enjoy yourself. You’ve probably heard this song if you grew up listening to rock.
Like other classics, it’s a popular song that’s the perfect tune to represent vacation.
4. Willie Nelson – “On the Road Again”
The song “On the Road Again” talks about going to new places and seeing things you haven’t seen before. The lyrics mention going down the highway with a band of gypsies.
While that term isn’t as correct anymore, it’s a great way to express the sentiment of traveling without a plan. It also talks about making music with your friends, which is a great way to spend your vacation.
Of course, it’s a good vacation song about road trips. However, you can apply the message to plane travel or even a staycation at home.
5. Eagles – “Take It Easy”
A big part of going on vacation is relaxing and winding down. “Take It Easy” by Eagles is a great tune that represents this.
This is the song that brought fame to Winslow, Arizona, with the lyrics “standing on the corner.” Those lyrics continue and mention there’s a Ford truck to drive.
The singer continues and asks a girl to head out of town and how they’ll never return. They’re taking it easy, as the title suggests.
6. Sheryl Crow – “Soak Up the Sun”
Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun” isn’t specifically about a vacation. However, many vacations involve spending time in the sun.
The song is excellent whether you’re going on a summer trip or planning to a beach. It focuses on soaking up the sun, even if you don’t have the perfect life.
The lyrics talk about not having a great job and not making much money. But that doesn’t matter if you’re able to make the most of it and still have some fun.
7. Harry Styles – “Watermelon Sugar”
“Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles is similar to the previous song in that it’s not about traveling or vacations. However, it is about summer and “summer feelings.”
The lyrics talk about the taste of strawberries and other fruits and how they’re so sweet. A good vacation may not have a taste, but it can certainly be sweet.
The lyrics also mention just wanting a taste of the sweet life. So even if you don’t have a vacation planned, this is a great song about vacation for you.
8. Demi Lovato – “Cool for the Summer”
Another summer vacation song to listen to is “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato. The song talks about being cool with someone just for a few months.
The lyrics cover wanting to play with another person and wanting to go into the other person’s paradise. Like Harry’s song, Demi’s mentions wanting a small taste of something.
Of course, vacations typically don’t last forever. The song covers how a relationship doesn’t have to be serious or long either.
9. Cher Lloyd – “MIA”
Cher Lloyd’s “MIA” is another excellent vacation song. It focuses on vacationing with your partner and going “MIA” as the title suggests.
The lyrics talk about being on one’s waves and making a quick getaway. Other vacation songs may be about enjoying the current moment.
However, this one talks about being bored where you are and wanting to do something else. The lyrics and melody make the song catchy and danceable.
10. Little Mix – “Holiday”
You can’t get much more obvious than a title “Holiday,” such as this song from Little Mix. It talks about how the person you’re with feels like a holiday, which is what Brits call a vacation.
Other lyrics mention feeling the heat of summer and how only one person gives that feeling. The singers ask if they can extend the time they spend with the person in the song.
It may be more about love than a vacation, but it offers that feeling of a nice vacation. If you’ve been craving that, you may enjoy this song.
11. The Wanted – “We Own the Night”
The Wanted’s “We Own the Night” is the perfect song to represent having fun on vacation. Its lyrics talk about singing and dancing for a while.
This song also covers the desire to be a legend when everything is over and how it’s important to seize the night. The lyrics repeat, but the tune and rhythm are perfect for dancing to.
Owning the night is a great thing to do when you’re on vacation. You don’t have to own the night completely, but you should have fun and make the most of your time.
12. Big Time Rush – “City Is Ours”
Another boy band, another song about ruling where you are. “City Is Ours” by Big Time Rush is also a party song, but it encapsulates the end of a vacation.
It talks about having your friends with you and how the singers are the life of the party. The night is young, so you get the chance to rule the city.
While it’s not as clearly a vacation song as some, it’s a great option for when you’re traveling. The lyrics and the beat work well together and can help you feel on top of the world.
13. The Cheetah Girls – “Fuego”
This song may be another dance song, but it’s also about traveling and vacations. The Cheetah Girls sing about the islands and mention cities like Miami and Chicago.
“Fuego” is Spanish for “fire,” and the lyrics talk about having an amazing time. The singers make it hot wherever they go, and that’s a great way to feel on vacation.
Like many other vacation songs, this one has a fantastic beat for dancing. But the lyrics can also give you ideas of where to travel for your next vacation.
14. Sofia Carson – “Love Is the Name”
Sofia Carson’s “Love Is the Name” talks about how life is a video game. The name of that game is love, and you can rule the world with the people you love.
It talks about not having regrets and that life will be whatever it will be. Other lyrics mention forgetting the past and enjoying where you are right now.
The beat should help set you free to have fun on your vacation. If you want more visuals, the music video shows Carson on what looks like an island having fun with friends.
15. Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road”
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’s collaboration “Old Town Road” is another less clear song about vacations. However, the song is a great addition to the list.
It talks about riding a horse as long as you want and doing what you want. Other lyrics focus on how the singer won’t listen to what others tell them to do.
Maybe you aren’t into horseback riding, but you have an activity you enjoy. You can think of doing that the next time you’re on vacation and you don’t have a care in the world.
16. Becky G – “Can’t Stop Dancin'”
Another vacation song with a similar context is “Can’t Stop Dancin'” by Becky G. In the song, she talks about how she feels like she’s in paradise.
She doesn’t want to stop dancing and having fun where she is. Other lyrics talk about letting your favorite person go where they want to go, even if that’s only in their head.
Of course, the song has a great beat for dancing, and it offers an island feel. You can watch the music video for even more vacation vibes.
17. Katy Perry – “Harleys in Hawaii”
“Harleys in Hawaii” isn’t one of Katy Perry’s most famous songs. However, it’s an excellent tune about going on vacation with someone you love.
As the title suggests, the lyrics mention riding a Harley motorcycle on the roads of Hawaii. It talks about getting out of town, which also makes it about a vacation.
Other lyrics mention exploring the island and catching waves together. It’s one of the best songs for couples on a vacation.
18. Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Cardi B – “South of the Border”
If you want a song specifically about going to Mexico, check out “South of the Border.” Ed Sheeran sings about wanting to take a girl south of the US and Mexico border.
The lyrics mention jumping in the water and feeling free. Camila Cabello takes over in the second verse, and she and Ed Sheeran sound great together.
Finally, Cardi B has a fantastic rap that talks about the importance of taking risks. She also mentions exploring and going to a foreign place.
Now, the music video doesn’t show a vacation as much as a spy mission ending in Mexico. But like many other songs, the video isn’t always the best representation of the music.
19. Pitbull – “Hotel Room Service”
You can’t get much more explicit about a vacation than mentioning a hotel room. Pitbull’s “Hotel Room Service” is a staple from the late 2000s.
The lyrics tell you to meet the singer in a hotel room for something fun and exciting. Leave your boyfriend behind and have some fun with your other friends.
This song isn’t the most appropriate for kids or families. However, it’s fun to sing and dance to, and you can have fun with your favorite people in a hotel room.
20. Gwen Stefani – “The Sweet Escape”
Many people think of vacations as a good place to escape. “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani might become your favorite vacation tune.
Stefani sings about dreaming for an escape and how that can make her feel better. We all experience stressful moments, and it can result in us being a little rude, as the lyrics explain.
Other lyrics mention wanting to get away from life and how you can recreate your world. The song is a nice choice if you’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed from your work.
21. Selena Gomez, Kid Cuti – “A Sweeter Place”
Another song about getting away is “A Sweeter Place” by Selena Gomez, featuring Kid Cuti. The song isn’t one of Gomez’s most popular, but it’s her best one about a vacation.
She talks about red lips and how she wants to kiss her worries away. There has to be a sweeter place where you can sugarcoat the bad taste of your current life.
Kid Cuti’s rap mentions how he’s in paradise and there’s a lot to see. He talks about finding what they want to find.
The beat is a bit more subdued than in some songs. However, the melody is beautiful, and it’s an underrated song.
22. Shakira – “Whenever, Wherever”
In “Whenever, Wherever,” Shakira talks about loving someone from another place. She talks about being willing to climb the Andes mountains for the person she loves.
The lyrics continue to mention that the singer and her love interest should be together. It may not be specifically about a vacation, but it is about traveling to see your significant other.
As the title suggests, it talks about being with the person whenever and wherever that may be. That’s a great sentiment, especially if you have to vacation a lot to see a long-distance partner.
Consider listening to the Spanish version “Suerte” if you also speak Spanish. It has the same beat, but you can use it to learn another language.
23. Grease – “Summer Nights”
If you loved the musical Grease, you probably know of the song “Summer Nights.” The lyrics talk about meeting someone and spending the summer together.
A lot of vacation songs are more about summer than a specific trip. This song is one of those, but it’s a great tune.
The lyrics talk about going bowling and staying up late. You can do a lot of fun things like that on your vacation.
24. High School Musical 2 – “What Time Is It?”
Another song about a vacation comes from High School Musical 2. The opening song “What Time Is It?” has the answer of “summertime.”
Students in the movie are just starting their summer break, and they’re excited. It talks about how the pressure of school is gone and how you can focus on yourself and your friends.
The lyrics include “it’s an education vacation.” You can’t get much clearer than that that this song is about a vacation.
25. Descendants – “Set It Off”
Descendants is another movie musical trilogy from Disney. The first movie ends with the song “Set It Off,” which is a good vacation tune.
This song happens after the coronation of a new king, and all of the characters have a party. Descendants of popular Disney heroes and villains get to dance and sing together.
It may not be about vacations, but it’s about ruling the city. You’re in charge of your future, and how you can’t let your past affect your life choices.
Which Songs Will You Listen To?
Some songs about vacation are more obvious than others. Whether a song focuses on a trip or having a good time, it’s the perfect choice for a list of vacation tunes.
You can choose songs from the last decade or songs from half a century ago. That means there’s something for everyone. And you can choose regular songs or songs from movies and musicals.
Be sure to check out some of the songs you’ve never heard before. Then, you can create a playlist for your next vacation.
