Artists and Female Singers in Western Music to Listen to in Summer: 2026 Rankings

SummertimeJanis Joplin56rank/position

Janis Joplin – Summertime

Janis Joplin, the legendary singer who died at just 27.

Originally composed for opera and later becoming a jazz standard, this song is delivered in her own bluesy interpretation.

Although it’s themed around summer, her phrasing is full of coolness, as if it could soothe a body heated by the summer heat.

Rainy Night HouseJoni Mitchell57rank/position

Joni Mitchell – Rainy Night House – Live 1974

Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, and painter.

Rolling Stone has hailed her as “one of the greatest songwriters ever.” Her songs, drawing from folk, pop, rock, and jazz, reflect social and environmental ideals as well as feelings of romance, confusion, and joy.

Bye Bye BlackbirdJulie London58rank/position

Julie London – Bye Bye Blackbird

This is a jazz classic by Julie London that highlights a refined, easy-to-listen-to sound, projecting a stylish female image with rich, full-bodied vocals.

With its moody feel, it’s a chic track that also works wonderfully in the summer.

Something CoolJune Christy59rank/position

Something Cool June Christy-original mono version

This song was written for June Christy.

It depicts a scene at the end of summer in which a woman, while ordering a cold drink at a bar, begins to speak to no one in particular about her former self during her beautiful, glamorous days.

In this context, the title refers to a “cold drink.”

Beauty And A BeatJustin Bieber ft. Nicki Minaj60rank/position

Justin Bieber – Beauty And A Beat (Official Music Video) ft. Nicki Minaj

This is a summer classic born from the collaboration between Justin Bieber—who has enjoyed immense popularity since his kids’ vocal days—and the hardcore female rapper Nicki Minaj.

The lyrics, which convey both beauty and musicality, make for a well-crafted piece that perfectly suits the summer mood.