27 Songs About Vacations

Songs about hitting the road and relaxing can put you in the mood for a vacation, whether a planned retreat, a holiday vacation, or spontaneous time away from life's obligations.

Enjoy these songs about vacations that take the listener away from the everyday grind for a precious few minutes.

“Vacation” by The Go-Go's

Song Year: 1982

Despite the title, this song is about being unable to get over an ex-boyfriend. The upbeat music and the video, complete with the entire girl group water-skiing and having fun in the sun, make it a great vacation anthem.

In the video, the summer beach trip is just a fantasy, but that doesn't make the song any less catchy and fun.

“Permanent Vacation” by Aerosmith

Song Year: 1987

Sometimes a short trip to a beautiful tropical paradise isn't enough. This track is one of the best songs with vacations in the title. It's about making a permanent move to a tourist hot spot.

The song mentions places like Montego Bay and St. Tropez. It also references being clean because some band members struggled with addiction.

“Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet

Song Year: 1977

This Jimmy Buffet classic is the anthem for people who want to kick back, relax, and have a good time. The opening notes of this song can bring a smile to people's faces and make them wish they had a margarita in their hand.

“Margaritaville” is the perfect song for beach bums, those who want to be one, and people who crave a getaway from their lives for a little while.

“Summer Nights” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John from Grease

Song Year: 1978

The musical film Grease was a huge hit in 1978, in no small part thanks to John Travolta's and Olivia Newton-John's portrayals of Danny and Sandy.

The leather-jacketed, tough guy Danny and sweet good-girl Sandy meet and fall in love over summer vacation.

“School's Out” by Alice Cooper

Song Year: 1972

For kids in school, summer vacation takes forever to come and goes by in a flash. This song became the anthem for kids in school everywhere and a favorite song to play as soon as spring term was over.

The track became shock-rock Alice Cooper's first top-ten hit and remains one of his most well-known songs today.

“Holiday” by Madonna

Song Year: 1983

“Holiday” is one of the songs about vacations that's about celebrating life and taking some time to enjoy it. The tune is about a literal break from your troubles and not a metaphor for something else, which makes it a great holiday anthem.

Madonna became the “Queen of Pop” and one of the most famous musical artists in the world. This song was the breakthrough hit in the US that started it all for her.

“Kokomo” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1988

The Beach Boys became famous in the 60s with multiple hits, like “Help Me Rhonda,” “In My Room,” and “I Get Around.” Over 20 years later, they released this song that became a #1 single and their last big hit.

The song lists all the wonderful places they'll go, like Aruba, Montego Bay, and the fictional island of Kokomo near the Florida Keys. “Kokomo” is the perfect song for a vacation, a few hours spent at a beach, or time spent in a vacation state of mind.

“Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham

Song Year: 1983

It's hard to imagine a better road song than “Holiday Road.” This hit is one of the songs about holidays that doesn't have many lyrics besides the title, but the chorus is so catchy that you don't care.

The song became famous largely because it was in the film National Lampoon's Vacation, a movie starring Chevy Chase that became a hit and a pop-culture phenomenon.

“Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes

Song Year: 1979

This song tells a sad story that turns happy about a man bored with his wife who answers a personal ad in the newspaper. The woman in the ad talks about piña coladas, beaches, and escaping to a fun-filled life.

When he answers the ad and meets the woman, it's his wife, who's also bored with their marriage, but this realization helps them discover each other again.

“Two Tickets to Paradise” by Eddie Money

Song Year: 1977

This tune is one of the songs about holidays that mention tickets, packing suitcases, and leaving for a vacation. It's a fun song to take literally, whether about an actual jet-setting vacation or the end of the work week.

Most people think the song is about convincing a woman to have sex with him for the first time. This interpretation doesn't stop it from being a great vacation anthem, especially for couples.