Countdown: The 18 Best Summer Songs of All TimeCountdown: The 18 Best Summer Songs of All TimeEvery summer has a story. And if every summer has a story, every story has a soundtrack.The songs that make us relive the memories ingrained from living through our best summers.Songs that unquestionably evoke feelings of the scorching hot days, the light breezes throughout the night.Having no where to be, and trying to do everything you can.Family cookouts filled with food, and drinking sangria on a porch with friends.The smell of fresh mowed grass, and chlorine wafting up from the pool.The sound of an air conditioner on its last leg, and the sight of kids running passionately to an to ice cream truck. Each of the four seasons has inspired its own songs, but none so much as the season that begins in late June.We put together all the songs that somehow package all those senses and stories, and makes us the most nostalgic for summer.Whether or not the tunes were released in the summer months, past or present, ESSENCE.com counts down top 18 songs that instantly make it feel like summer. Download and make your own soundtrack:18. "Welcome to Jamrock," Damian MarleySummer of 2005 "Come on let's face it, a ghetto education's basic/A most a the youths them waste it/And when dem waste it, dat's when dem take da guns and replace it..." The Song For: Riding the riddim as you drift away to far off island.17. "Vivrant Thing," Q-TipSummer of 1999 "Special girl, real good girl/Biggest thing in my itty bitty world..." The Song For: Summer house party under tiki torches shaking our heads and moving our hips.16. "Juicy," BiggieSummer of 1994 "Hangin' pictures on my wall/Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl/I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped." The Song For: The memories that come back when visiting your old neighborhood.15."Birthday Sex," JeremihSummer of 2009 "Or maybe we can float on top my waterbed/You close your eyes as I improv between your legs..." The Song For: Steamy summer lovin'.14. "OMG," UsherSummer of 2010 "I fell in love with shawty when i seen her on the dance floor/She was dancing sexy, pop, pop, popping, dropping, dropping low" The Song For: Sweating out your hair on the dance floor.13. "People Everyday,"Arrested DevelopmentSummer of 1992 "...And they see a young couple having a time that's good/And their egos wanna test a brother's manhood." The Song For: Catching up with old friends at the park.12. "Buy U A Drank," T-PainSummer of 2007 "What's the chance of you rolling with me/Back to the crib/Show you how I live/Let's get drunk forget what we did." The Song For: Bringing a wild summer night to a close.11. "S.O.S," RihannaSummer of 2006 "This time please someone come and rescue me/Cause you on my mind it's got me losing it/I'm lost, you got me lookin' for the rest of me" The Song For: Night out with the ladies.10. "Put Your Records On," Corinne Bailey RaeSummer of 2006 "Summer came like cinnamon/So sweet/Little girls double-dutch on the concrete..." The Song For: Road trips and long rides with your feet dangling out the window.9. "Got To Give It Up," Marvin GayeSummer of 1977 "I used to go to parties and stand around/cause I was to nervous to really get down/But my body yearned to be free." The Song For: A indoor house party.8. "Gotta Feeling," Black Eyed PeasSummer of 2009 "Tonight's the night, let's live it up/I got my money, let's spend it up.." The Song For: The ultimate party night.7. "Dancing In the Streets," Martha and the VandellasSummer of 1964 "Are you ready for a brand new beat/Summer's here and the time is right/For dancin' in the streets" The Song For: Making sure Aunt Dottie is having a good time at the family reunion.6."Doo Wop (That Thing)," Lauryn HillSummer of `1998 "You know I only say it 'cause I'm truly genuine/Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem/Baby girl, respect is just a minimum." The Song For: Pulling out all the old school dances you can remember from summers past.5. "Rock the Boat," AaliyahSummer of 2001 "Ooooh baby I love your stroke/Cause you, cause you get me to where I'm going/In a jury you'll get my vote/Cause I believe.." The Song For: Using your lover as your towel on the beach.4."Summer Rain," Carl ThomasSummer of 2005 "In the middle of the night when I'm alone/I feel her kisses on me even when she's gone..." The Song: That make it o.k for a Black woman to get her hair wet.3."Car Wash," Rose RoyceSummer of 1976 "Work and work/Well, those cars never seem to stop coming/Work and work.." The Song For:Attempting to get work done in those lazy hot months.2."Before I Let Go," Frankie Beverly and MazeSummer of 1996 "You made me happy/This you can bet/You stood right beside me, yeah/And I won't forget" The Song For: Every cookout across the nation.1."Summertime," Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy JeffSummer of 1991 "There's an air of love and of happiness/And this is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness." The Song: Classic.