I attend Wellesley College, where I am earning my degree in Studio Art and English with a concentration in Creative Writing.

As the summer winds down and thousands of families and kids enjoy their last hurrah in the sun, many will be planning their last beach vacation. For those of you out there eager to soak up every last drop of summer, or for those of you who are eager to plan a beach paradise vacation for a break from the cold of winter, here are 15 must have songs for your next beach vacation playlist.

Best 15 Country Songs for the Beach

1. "Toes"—Zac Brown Band (2009)
2. "Margaritaville"—Jimmy Buffett (1977)
3. "Some Beach"—Blake Shelton (2004)
4. "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems"—Kenny Chesney (2002)
5. "The Seashores of Old Mexico"—George Strait (2005)
6. "When the Sun Goes Down"—Kenny Chesney (2004)
7. "Cheeseburger in Paradise"—Jimmy Buffett (1978)
8. "Beachin’"—Jake Owen (2014)
9. "Two Piña Coladas"—Garth Brooks (1998)
10. "Somewhere on a Beach"—Dierks Bentley (2016)
11. "Knee Deep"—Zac Brown Band (2011)
12. "Pink Sunglasses"—Miranda Lambert (2016)
13. "Summertime"—Kenny Chesney (2006)
14. "Everything’s Gonna be Alright"—David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney (2017)
15. "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset"—Luke Bryan (2018)

1. "Toes"—Zac Brown Band

Year Released: 2009

In the decade since the Zac Brown Band released "Toes," they have positioned themselves as a powerhouse of country music capable of producing everything from heart-wrenching ballads to beach-lovin’ tunes such as this one. The message is simple, when you’ve got your “toes in the water, ass in the sand” life is good.

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand

Life is good today Life is good today…

— "Toes," Zac Brown Band

2. "Margaritaville"—Jimmy Buffett

Year Released: 1977

Leave it to Jimmy Buffet, the original country castaway to transform his vision of paradise into a real chain of restaurants aimed at whisking away your troubles and bringing you the calm beach vibe we’re all looking for.

Nibblin' on sponge cake

Watchin' the sun bake

All of those tourists covered with oil

Strummin' my six string on my front porch swing…

— "Margaritaville," Jimmy Buffett

3. "Some Beach"—Blake Shelton

Year Released: 2004

Blake reminds us that sometimes when life puts you in uncomfortable situations the only thing to do is to picture yourself to some distant beach paradise where “there's a beautiful sunset burning up the atmosphere,” and “there's music and dancing and lovers romancing in the salty evenin' air.”

Driving down the interstate

Running thirty minutes late

Singing Margaritaville and minding my own

Some foreign car drivin' dude with a road rage attitude…

— "Some Beach," Blake Shelton

4. "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems"—Kenny Chesney

Year Released: 2002

In his music video, Chesney says, “The islands; they’re the one place where you can truly be as you are. Where it doesn't matter what you’ve done, how you make your life. You’re just there with the sun, the sand, the sea, and the locals. But the notion of “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” isn't a song title, but a way of life...my way of life, where I feel the most alive, where I feel the most settled. When I’m not with you, the fans, out there on the road, it’s where I feel really at home.” Cheers to that, Kenny!

No shoes, no shirt, and no problems

Blues, what blues?

Hey I forgot 'em.

The sun and the sand…

— "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems," Kenny Chesney

5. "The Seashores of Old Mexico"—George Strait

Year Released: 2005

Despite being a song about running from the law, something about it whisks your worries away with romantic visions of “the seashores of old Mexico.” The song was originally written and recorded by country legend Merle Haggard and covered by George Strait in 2005.

I left, out of Tucson, with no destination in mind.

I was runnin' from trouble and the jail-term the Judge had in mind.

And the border meant freedom, a new life, romance,

And that's why I thought I should go…

— "The Seashores of Old Mexico," George Strait

6. "When the Sun Goes Down"—Kenny Chesney

Year Released: 2004

You may travel hundreds of miles to reach your beach destination for the sun and the waves, but as Chesney knows, something magical happens when the sun goes down on a beachside paradise. That’s the golden hour when romance really begins.

When the sun goes down, we'll be groovin'

When the sun goes down, hey Uncle Kenny

When the sun goes down over the water

Everything is hotter when the sun goes down…

— "When the Sun Goes Down," Kenny Chesney

7. "Cheeseburger in Paradise"—Jimmy Buffett

Year Released: 1978

Oh, Buffet, you’ve done it again! This lovable, and somewhat silly song, has wormed its way into America's heart. After all, most of us would love to have a cheeseburger in paradise (and anywhere else). In fact, people love the song so much that you can find a Cheeseburger In Paradise Restaurant everywhere from Waikiki, Hawaii to Indianapolis.

Tried to amend my carnivorous habits

Made it nearly seventy days

Losin' weight without speed

Eatin' sunflower seeds

Drinkin' lots of carrot juice and soakin' up rays...

— "Cheeseburger in Paradise," Jimmy Buffett

8. "Beachin’"—Jake Owen

Year Released: 2014

If you’re looking for an upbeat song to enhance the good-time vibes at your next beach getaway, nothing could be better than “Beachin’,” by Jake Owen. Of course, the artist who famously throws free beach concerts (and often drops in on fans’ parties) knows just how to get the party going.

And it's sunshine, blue eyes, tan lines, slow tide

Rollin' white sand, cold can koozie in my hand, just a summertime strolling

Chillin', breazin', sippin', singin' whoaoaoh…

— "Beachin’,"Jake Owen

9. "Two Piña Coladas"—Garth Brooks

Year Released: 1998

It's common wisdom “that science has proven that heartaches are healed by the sea." That said, the piña coladas do must of the leg work. For your next vacation, we prescribe a salty ocean breeze, a little Garth, and of course, two piña coladas.

So bring me two piña coladas

I want one for each hand

Let's set sail with Captain Morgan

Oh, and never leave dry land…

— "Two Piña Coladas," Garth Brooks

10. "Somewhere on a Beach"—Dierks Bentley

Year Released: 2016

There’s nothing like a beach vacation to forget about your most recent break up. Apparently, all you need is a beach, some booze, and a brand new girl to make things right.

I went wheels up on a runway

And that ticket was a long way

I'm somewhere on a beach

Sipping something strong…

— "Somewhere on a Beach," Dierks Bentley

11. "Knee Deep"—Zac Brown Band

Year Released: 2011

“Knee Deep” was a real collaboration. As songwriter Wyatt Durrette told Taste of Country, he had always been a fan of Jimmy Buffet, so he wanted to write a beach song inspired by his most recent breakup. After writing the first verse, he brought it to the Zac Brown Band who helped to write the second verse. However, the song was still missing a bridge. The collaborators decided to bring the song to Jeffrey Steele, who helped them complete it. They then recorded with Jimmy Buffet on “You Get What You Give,” Brown’s second major label album.

Wishin' I was

Knee deep in the water somewhere

Got the blue sky, breeze and it don't seem fair

The only worry in the world…

— "Knee Deep," Zac Brown Band

12. "Pink Sunglasses"—Miranda Lambert

Year Released: 2016

Miranda Lambert sure knows the power of a good pair of rose tinted sunglasses. Slip them on and not only is the world transformed into a mellow sepia tone in which the cares of the present seem to slip away, but they also make you feel like a person transformed (as if transported to another time). In other words, they are the perfect accessory for your next beach vacation.

In my pink sunglasses

Always makes the world look a little bit better

In my pink sunglasses

You can try 'em anytime you need a change of the weather…

— "Pink Sunglasses," Miranda Lambert

13. "Summertime"—Kenny Chesney 2006

Year Released: 2006

Summertime is the season when young love and formative memories happen. “Summertime” evokes all those nostalgic feelings of summer love and freedom that many of us wish we could return to.

Perfect song on the radio

Sing along 'cause it's one we know

It's a smile, it's a kiss

It's a sip of wine, it's summertime…

— "Summertime," Kenny Chesney

14. "Everything’s Gonna Be Alright"—David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney

Year Released: 2017

If you're anything like me, vacation is a time to destress and get away from the daily grind. There’s nothing quite like sitting on a beach somewhere, watching the waves gently roll into the shore, to remind you that everything’s gonna be alright. The song was made after Murphy, who has been in the country music business for years, sent the song to Kenny Chesney, for whom he had written songs such as “Living in Fast Forward” and “Live a Little.” Chesney loved it and decided to work with him. Chesney has stated that, "when David Lee sent me the song 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright,' it just made me happy; it just made me smile." Well Mr. Chesney, it certainly does make us smile.

Everything's gonna be alright

Everything's gonna be alright

And nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing

Don't go hittin' that panic button…

— "Everything’s Gonna Be Alright," David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney

15. "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset"—Luke Bryan

Year Released: 2018

Despite not explicitly being a beach song, the spirit of this summer love anthem holds true for any sunshine filled getaway. As Bryan tells fans, "It talks about love in a summer and summer love. It doesn't get any better than summer love way back when. And then, when you say 'Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset, Repeat,' that's what you do in the summer. You wake up. You go get your tan on, and the sun goes down and you do it over and over."

Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat

Moonlight, all night, crashing into me

Nothing will ever be easy as you and me

Tangled up with nowhere to be…

— "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset," Luke Bryan

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