No matter what time of the year, we always hope to have our precious and desired vacation.
Wherever you go, to a hot or cold place, this time of the year is meant to relax and forget about daily problems.
With vacations also come beautiful experiences that could leave a mark on one’s memory.
From a summer love story to a deep connection with oneself, this time to relax and enjoy has been the inspiration for many artists.
In this article, we will delve into 23 great songs about vacation, whether they are about melancholic memories, unforgettable experiences, or even using the term as a metaphor.
From punk rock classics to warm reggae tracks, we have a song for everyone on this list.
We will explain the meaning of them and what the musicians intended to transmit through them.
So book your tickets, pack your bags, and head off on your next vacation.
1. Holiday – Green Day
Going back to 2005, we have this amazing hit included in the album American Idiot.
Through this piece, Billie Joe expresses his frustration with the government and encourages people to rebel.
The word “holiday” in the title serves as an ironic metaphor referring to the social situation and as a way to convey its political message.
It suggests taking a break from the routine of everyday life and doing something more enjoyable.
2. Holiday In Cambodia – Dead Kennedys
There’s no better place to go on vacation than a devastated nation under the command of a bloody dictator, right?
Well, maybe is not the best destination but if you intend to visit Cambodia you’ll have to pack a wife.
Published in 1980 in the album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables this track by Dead Kennedys gives a wide panorama of what happened in that place while the cruel Pol Pot and his Communist Party of Kampuchea were ruling.
The song protests and makes visible the atrocities led by this group of people.
3. School’s Out – Alice Cooper
Summer is here, time to get relaxed and not think about studying or going to school.
Released in 1972 and included in the album School’s Out, this track celebrates the end of the school year and the beginning of the summer holiday.
However, this song may have deeper interpretations, we can find that children need to break free from the expectations of education to truly live their lives.
In addition to the sense of rebellion and youthful defiance, the piece became a classic rock hit.
4. Vacation – The Go-Go’s
Sometimes we go on vacation hoping to spend a wonderful time out of responsibilities but the opposite happens, we end up missing home and our loved ones.
Although is not the usual thing, this might occur, and the song Vacation by The Go-Go’s is about this feeling.
Released in 1982 and included in the homonym album, this track tells the story of a person who went on holiday just to later realize that wasn’t strong enough to stay away for too long.
Moreover, the lyrics suggest the singer is on vacation to try and get over someone but is struggling to do so.
5. Holiday – Vampire Weekend
The mundane routine and daily life drive us to look for a moment of relaxation.
Released in 2009 and taking part in the second Vampire Weekend studio album Contra, this song expresses that sensation perfectly.
Holiday is about someone who just wants to go on vacation, relax and forget about responsibilities for a while.
Everyone can feel interpellated by this track as it is a common desire to escape from everyday life during the holidays.
6. Permanent Vacation – Aerosmith
The album Permanent Vacation released in 1987 was the group’s comeback and came with a new lifestyle adopted.
The band worked on this album completely sober and the song that gave name to the album talks about their past bad habits with drugs and excesses.
Although the track never became an actual hit, it was a must in their live performances mainly on that tour.
7. Vacation – Dirty Heads
When talking about holidays we think of days off work but this song gives a different view of that.
Published in 2017 included in the album Swim Team, Dirty Heads explain that if you have a job you love you will be constantly living on vacation.
The track describes someone’s personal journey and the hard work and dedication that led them to where they are today.
The song encourages listeners to pursue their passions in life and not settle for jobs they hate.
8. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems – Kenny Chesney
From the 2003 album of the same name, this track recorded by Kenny Chesney was originally written by Casey Beathard.
The theme of the song is quite noticeable in the title, suggesting the lack of worries and relaxation.
The singer says that he is unable to concentrate on his job and daydreams about escaping to a tropical location that offers a respite from bosses, clocks, stress, and dress codes.
In short, a tired soul longing for some time to rest.
9. Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow
Released in 2002 and included in the album C’mon, C’mon, this track is about the beautiful sensation of staying under the sun on the beach.
Sheryl Crow’s song was influenced by a talk she had with Jeff Trott, her collaborator, while they were on a plane journey.
During their flight from a rainy location to a sunny one, Trott remarked on the irony of the circumstance.
This idea stayed with Trott, and he and Crow wrote a song centered on his feelings during the trip about the destination.
10. Holiday – Madonna
The Queen of Pop makes her appearance on the list and through this upbeat song Madonna encourages the listener to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Released in 1983, Holiday is the track that gives name to the album and describes the joy of taking a break from everyday life to enjoy a vacation.
11. Kokomo – The Beach Boys
12. Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham
13. Toes – Zac Brown Band
14. Life Is A Highway – Tom Cochrane
15. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas And The Papas
16. On The Road Again – Willie Nelson
17. Fly Away – Lenny Kravitz
18. Roam – The B-52’s
19. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
20. Island in the Sun – Weezer
21. Cool For The Summer – Demi Lovato
22. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
23. All Summer Long – Kid Rock
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