Theme Ride Thursday: School’s Out, Bring on the Summer Fun!

Ah, summer—officially starting on June 21, but who’s counting? The sun’s out, the days are longer, and kids everywhere are plotting their great escape from school. So dust off your itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini and crank up the tunes—we’ve got not one, not two, not three, but FOUR epic bucket playlists to soundtrack your summer shenanigans.

First up is our Graduation/School’s Out playlist (about 90 songs). Say goodbye to homework and pop quizzes with anthems like Alice Cooper’s classic and Pink Floyd’s rebellious Another Brick in the Wall. Whether it’s elementary school or college, this playlist has the perfect tracks to celebrate the end of the academic grind.

Next, dive into our Summer playlist—345 tracks bursting with sunshine, freedom, and feel-good vibes. From windows-down singalongs to chill beach grooves, these songs bring all the seasonal energy your ride needs.

And of course, we can’t forget about Vacation (115 songs)! Whether you’re headed to the coast, the mountains, or your backyard hammock, these songs (including the Go-Go’s iconic hit) are your soundtrack for wanderlust and wander-fun.

New this year: we’ve added a Sun / Sunrise / Sunset / Sunshine playlist (about 190 songs). This one’s dedicated to the golden glow of summer skies, with songs that specifically reference that big hot ball in the sky. You might spot some overlap with the Summer playlist, but this one’s got a vibe all its own.

With these four themed playlists, you’ve got endless options to mix, match, and build the ultimate summer ride—or several! You’ll have inspiration for weeks without repeating a single track.

Need a ready-to-go profile? No sweat! (Well… okay, yes sweat—but the good kind!) Check out Karen’s popular Jump in the Pool profile for an instant crowd-pleaser. 

Or, go deeper into our archives with our Summer Surfin’ Safari Interval Profile, filled with beachy classics and good-time grooves. (It’s just as fun in the dead of winter, when we’re all dreaming of sunshine instead of shoveling snow!) Here’s what one instructor had to say about this ride:

Heat, Holidays, and Hoorays: Songs to Celebrate Summer and School’s Out

Whether your riders are planning beach getaways, celebrating graduations, or just ready to ditch the schedule and soak up the sun, these tracks will help you capture that joyful “school’s out” energy. Use them to bring some summer fun, heat, and heart into your rides!

A Few Summer-Themed Tracks to Try

Summertime, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, 430, 95 bpm
This classic sets the perfect tone for a school’s-out, summer’s-here vibe. Use it for your warm-up to ease riders into the mood. The lyrics capture the carefree feeling of the season—“School is out and it’s sort of a buzz!”—and even mention firing up the barbecue. It’s pure summer nostalgia on two wheels.

Long Hot Summer, Glen Frey, 5:17, 110 bpm
If forecasters are warning of a scorcher ahead (like they are here in Colorado), this laid-back rock track is perfect for a long, slow climb at 55 rpm. Think of it as your musical sunscreen—steady, strong, and built to last.

Chasing Fireflies, Spencer Crandall, 0:55, 156 bpm
At just under a minute, this short and breezy track makes a perfect recovery and transitional bridge between efforts. Its gentle vibe evokes warm summer nights and will quickly become your go-to filler whenever you need a quick reset in your playlist.

Always Summer, Yellowcard, 3:09, 85 bpm
This energetic anthem is ideal for a hard, 3-minute VO2 max interval. If you use 3-minute FTP assessments at your studio, this one’s a great fit. Crank it up and let the line “it’s always summer in my heart and in my soul” fuel your riders.

Summer Night City, ABBA, 3:34, 130 bpm
ABBA celebrates the arrival of long summer nights—perhaps a nod to Sweden’s dark winters and the joy of extra daylight. This upbeat disco track makes a great fast climb at 65 rpm. Stand on the chorus to capture the energy of a city coming alive under the summer sky.

Permanent Vacation, 5 Seconds of Summer, 3:25, 155 bpm
This pop-punk anthem is made for escaping the grind—even the band name screams summer! Ride a steady climb at 78 rpm, or stand and surge on the choruses: 0:44–0:57 (13s), 1:37–2:02 (25s), and 2:43–3:08 (25s).

Congratulations, Post Malone, Quavo, 3:40, 123 bpm
Honor the grads (or their proud parents) in your class with this celebratory track. It works well as a moderate climb or, if you ignore the beat, as a cool-down to reflect on accomplishments. “We made it!”

Explore Even More Songs for Summer and School’s Out

ICA members can dig into these four themed bucket playlists below to create the perfect summer ride:

• SUMMER (330 songs)

• VACATION (115 songs)

• GRADUATION/SCHOOL’S OUT (90 songs)

• SUN / SUNSET / SUNRISE / SUNSHINE (190 songs)

If you have a favorite song that fits one of these themes and it’s not already included, let me know in the comments—I’d love to add it!