35 Years Ago Today, the Greatest Summer Song of All Time Was Released
If you're like me, then there are just certain songs that sound better in the summer. Music that pairs with hot sunny days like a cold glass of lemonade. Tracks that fit this bill include "California Love" by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman, Madonna's "Holiday," Bill Withers ' "Lovely Day," Rihanna and Calvin Harris' "We Found Love," and LEN's "Steal My Sunshine." However, there's one song that goes down as the greatest summer song ever.
This one single, recorded by two history-makers in rap music, is routinely played throughout the summer months. It's been purchased and streamed millions of times and even won a Grammy. So what's the song that's celebrating 35 years today?
"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince Turns 35
Before he became a 90s sitcom phenom and an Oscar-winning movie actor, Will Smith teamed up with Jeffrey Allen Townes to become the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. They were quite the popular twosome in rap, earning the genre's first Grammy for "Parents Just Don't Understand" in 1989. Fast forward to May 20, 1991, and the pair released their best song, "Summertime," from their Homebase album.
"Summertime" is a mid-tempo rap track that samples "Summer Madness" from Kool & the Gang. Given that sample, Kool & the Gang are also credited as writers alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff and Smith. Upon its release, it climbed to the top of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on Billboard, #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was the recipient of a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. And not for nothing, it remains a must-listen for me when the weather warms up.
On an interesting note, while on hisClass of ‘88 podcast, Smith talked about his experience filming the "Summertime" music video. He shared:
"The biggest video moment for me of my career is when we did the impossible and premiered 'Summertime' after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. We did a short episode, so we shortened the episode, and added the premiere of the video into the programming after the credits.
"We said 'And here we have a special treat.' On network television, at 8 o'clock on Monday night for the entire nation we premiered 'Summertime.'"
Smith also added, "Michael Jackson premiered 'Thriller' in primetime. And I had been wanting to do that my entire life."
Check out the "Summertime" music video below. Additionally, make sure you stream it on your preferred music platform.
Related: Janet Jackson Turns 60: Take a Look Back at the 10 Greatest Songs of Her Career
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 3:10 AM.