The 77 Best Pool Party Songs (Our Playlist)
- ispytunes
- 10 hours ago
- 6 min read
When the sun’s blazing and the pool’s calling, there’s one thing that truly sets the vibe: music.
Doesn’t matter if you’re into old-school jams or the latest pop bangers—the playlist is the heartbeat of the whole gathering.
Picking the right songs keeps the energy up and makes it easy for guests of every age to have fun.
Bright, catchy tunes from folks like Maroon 5, Calvin Harris, or Katy Perry just make you feel good—they pull people into the water and keep the day rolling.
So without further ado, let's explore the best pool party songs!
Our Pool Party Playlist
To listen to our handpicked collection of pool music, click here.
Or, read on to learn more about the music!
What makes a great pool party song?
The right pool party songs set a fun, laid-back mood. Songs with steady beats, catchy choruses, and positive lyrics keep guests relaxed and happy by the water.
Energetic Vibes
Pool party music should keep the energy high. Look for tracks that are bright, exciting, and make people want to move.
Popular pool music often includes:
Dance tracks with sing-along parts
Pop hits with big, bold sounds
Songs played at many summer events
Fast or bouncy tunes can help even the shyest guests join in on pool games or start dancing. Even classics like "Hey Ya!" by Outkast bring that sense of fun that just fits the pool vibe. Go for songs people actually know—it helps everyone feel part of the party.
Upbeat Tempos
Songs with faster or mid-tempos are your best bet for pool parties. Music between 100–130 beats per minute (BPM) works for swimming, volleyball, or just hanging out.
Honestly, avoid anything too slow. Slow songs can totally kill the party’s momentum.
Lean into upbeat pool party music to keep things light and fun. Sure, mix up the tempos a little, but mostly stick with stuff that makes people want to move.
Feel-Good Lyrics
Lyrics matter when you’re trying to create a positive, relaxed mood. You want pool songs with simple, happy messages.
Look for themes like:
Summer fun and good times
Friendship and celebration
Love and adventure
Songs about sunshine, water, or parties are perfect. Keep lyrics clean and easy to sing along with—especially if you’ve got families or mixed ages. Positive lyrics help everyone leave with a smile and a few good memories. That’s what you want, right?
Top Genres for Pool Parties
When you’re building a pool or summer party playlist, the right genres set the mood. Some styles are great for chilling out, while others bring the hype and get people dancing.
Pop Hits
Pop music is always a safe bet for pool parties. It’s upbeat, catchy, and everyone knows at least a few of the words.
Think songs like "As It Was" by Harry Styles or "Levitating" by Dua Lipa—both bring a bright, playful energy.
Top Pop Artists for Pool Parties:
Taylor Swift
Katy Perry
Lizzo
Harry Styles
Pop tracks are short and snappy, so things never drag. Their cheerful moods just fit the light-hearted vibe of a pool day. You’ll find a lot of these songs on curated beach and pool playlists, too.
Dance and Electronic
Dance and electronic music are awesome for summer parties because they’ve got strong beats and fast tempos. Genres like deep house, tropical house, and EDM make people want to move.
Artists like Calvin Harris, Kygo, and Sigala are always a hit. Their music just gets people amped up.
Key elements of dance/electronic songs:
Strong, steady beat
Energetic drops
Simple, catchy lyrics
These songs blend into playlists without missing a beat. They help create that lively, club-like vibe—even if you’re just hanging by the pool.
Reggae and Tropical
Reggae and tropical genres give your party that relaxed, beachy feel. Rhythmic guitar, soft drums, and smooth vocals help everyone chill out.
Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff are reggae legends, while Kygo brings a modern tropical twist.
Perfect songs for a chill poolside moment:
"Three Little Birds" – Bob Marley
"Higher Love" – Kygo & Whitney Houston
"Could You Be Loved" – Bob Marley
These tracks are perfect for winding down, maybe as the sun sets. The tropical sound really ties the whole pool party theme together.
Building Our Perfect Pool Party Playlist
When we set out to make the ultimate pool party playlist, we knew it had to keep the vibe lively, inclusive, and fun from start to finish. We wanted something that could get people dancing, spark nostalgia, and flow with the rhythm of the day. So here’s how we approached it...
Balancing New and Classic Tracks
We wanted to hit that sweet spot between fresh and familiar. So we mixed in current hits like “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa alongside certified bangers like “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus and “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. It keeps things exciting and gets people across different age groups involved.
Our process? We listed songs by year, jumped between decades, and made sure there was something for everyone. We even considered tracks our guests might want to hear—and if you're curating your own list, we’d highly recommend asking your friends for their must-plays.
By mixing eras, we found it created spontaneous singalongs and surprise throwbacks. That kind of balance is exactly what makes a playlist feel personal and inclusive.
Mixing Moods and Energy Levels
We didn’t just think about what to play—we thought about when to play it.
We started with high-energy tracks to kick things off, shifted into laid-back grooves during the afternoon lull, and ended with mellow vibes as the sun went down.
To stay organized, we broke the playlist into mini-sets for different parts of the day:
Welcome: Upbeat bangers to get people hyped
Midday: Chill, groovy tunes for floating and chatting
Late Afternoon: Slower, sun-soaked songs to wind things down
We also made sure to blend genres—pop, dance, reggae, chill-out—so the music would always match the moment. It helped the party feel fresh all day long.
Curating for All Ages
We knew we’d have a mix of guests, so we kept the playlist clean and family-friendly where it counted. If a song had explicit lyrics but the vibe was too good to skip, we searched for a clean version.
We included feel-good classics from The Beatles and The Beach Boys, while younger guests appreciated artists like Dua Lipa and Calvin Harris. A few 80s and 90s throwbacks helped tie everything together.
Our guiding principle? If it makes people smile or sing along, it belongs on the list.
Timeless Pool Party Anthems
Songs that never go out of style can turn any pool party into a blast. Familiar tunes help people relax, dance, and just have a good time in the sun.
Classic Pool Party Songs
Classic pool party songs are instantly recognizable and get people moving. “ABC” by Jackson 5 and “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees always bring out the smiles. They work for all ages and set a friendly, upbeat tone.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves is another sure bet for happy, dancey vibes. Classic rock hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey or “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond are also crowd favorites.
These classics work whether you want background music or a group sing-along. They’re just timeless.
Essential Summer Pool Songs
Some songs just show up at every pool party.
Modern favorites like “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee or “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa keep things lively. Their beats are catchy and just work when you’re outside in the sun.
Other top picks? “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, or “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias. These tracks always seem to pop up on pool party playlists.
If you want a fresh vibe, toss in “Summer” by Calvin Harris. It’s got that feel-good, current energy.
Essential Summer Playlist
Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee
One Kiss – Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
Something Just Like This – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
Bailando – Enrique Iglesias
Summer – Calvin Harris
Key Takeaways
Good pool party songs are fun, positive, and easy to dance to.
Mixing different genres and decades keeps the playlist interesting.
To listen to all of the best pool party songs, click here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we part ways, let's explore
What are some classic hits to play at a pool party?
Try “Fly” by Sugar Ray, “Hey Ya!” by Outkast, or “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind. These familiar tunes get people moving and just feel summery.
Which rock songs are ideal for a lively pool party atmosphere?
Classic rock always works. “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC and “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi are great picks. Or go with “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey if you want a big singalong moment.
Can you list top hip hop tracks suitable for pool parties?
Hip hop-wise, “Hot in Herre” by Nelly and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake are solid choices. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars never fails to get people moving.
What playlist would you recommend for a kids' pool party?
Keep it fun, high-energy, and kid-friendly. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake, and “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid are all safe bets.
What songs pair well with beach and pool vibes for social media stories?
For quick video clips, try “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE or “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles. “Levitating” by Dua Lipa works well for those bright, sunny moments, too.