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The Morning Show - With Jill Riley

Coffee Break: Let The Sunshine In

by Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala

June 20, 2024

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People participate in traditional midsummer dances during the yearly celebration on June 23, 2023, in Borås, Sweden. It's a day of dancing, music and partying with friends that usually goes on late at night on the day where the sun only sets for a few hours.
People participate in traditional midsummer dances during the yearly celebration on June 23, 2023, in Borås, Sweden. It's a day of dancing, music and partying with friends that usually goes on late at night on the day where the sun only sets for a few hours.Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

It’s the summer solstice! According to the trusty Farmer’s Almanac, the summer solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted most towards the sun. That’s about 23.5 degrees! This brings us the longest day — and shortest night — of the year in the northern hemisphere. (Our friends south of the equator are having the opposite effect and will welcome their summer holiday in December.)

Sometimes called Midsummer, the June solstice has long been celebrated across the globe with gatherings and celebrations that welcome in life and abundance. People even travel to sites like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu to celebrate the occasion.

It’s true — the days only get shorter from here, but not before we welcome the official astronomical first day of summer with music.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs about summer would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
The Sundays – Summertime
The Kinks – Sunny Afternoon
HAIM - Summer Girl
Chuck Prophet – Summertime Thing
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts – Summertime Blues
Sly and the Family Stone – Hot Fun In The Summertime
DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince – Summertime
The Lovin' Spoonful – Summer in the City
Superchunk – Endless Summer (bonus)