CBC Music had an idea to help make this the best summer ever. We wanted to build the greatest summer songs playlist of all time.

We've been collecting your picks for the best summer songs and gathering them into one free playlist that you can enjoy for all your pool parties and barbeques. And now it's hear, ready for you to listen to. You'll see it in the playlist at the right of your screen in the list of web radio stations. Check out songs from the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Sam Roberts Band, Arcade Fire and many more.

We'll also be talking to some of the people who offered up songs.

Name: Laura Sosnow

City: Montreal (and sometimes Ottawa)

Song: "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," by Paul Simon.

Favourite kind of music: Folk, Roots, Indie Rock, Rock n’ Roll, Motown

What makes a great summer song: "A plucky, twangy, sound; something that speaks to the bright, bouncy feeling of summer days. I listen to a lot of bluegrass in the summer. Something soft and deep can work too; capturing the feeling of warm, gorgeous summer nights. Something that smoothes out all the worries that you carry around lets you relax."

How do you plan on spending your summer: "Working to pay off student debt, “casseroling,” rehearsing for a Shakespeare play opening in August and escaping to beautiful PEI for a few days to witness two dear friends tie the knot."

Douglas Boyd, seen here enjoying a previous summer in Italy, offered up some folk for the list. (Photo submitted by Douglas Boyd)

Full name: Douglas Boyd

City: Victoria

Song: "Beautiful Sun" by Little Miss Higgins

Favourite kind of music: Folk/Roots

Why did you choose this song: We fell in love with the music of Little Miss Higgins the first time we saw her perform in Calgary. Great songwriter and gives an amazingly energetic performance. Love that she lives in small town Saskatchewan and writes songs about her neighbourhood.

What makes a great summer song: Evocative of summer, the warmth or summer, or summer winds, sun, beaches, brings back memories of summer. A happy upbeat song.

How do you plan on spending your summer: As many sunny patios as possible, a few music festivals, some cycling, Okanagan wine trip.

So hop in your hammock, turn on the playlist and stay tuned for more profiles.

Related:

CBC Music's 2012 festival guide

SPF '12: Summer preview of festivals

Springsteen, Fogerty, Buck 65 sing songs of baseball

Rock gods and beach bods, from Sting to AC/DC

posted by Mike Miner on Jun 18, 2012