The month of May is the epitome of spring. The flowers are in full bloom, the cold winter winds are a thing of the past, and summer is just around the corner, making everyone excited for school to be over. With all that sparkling promise, it is easy to look forward to what is coming.
There are many songs with May in the title and even more songs about spring that are great for listening to in May. As you prepare for a season of evening walks and drinks on the patio, look at our list of the best songs about May.
1. “Stormy May Day” by AC/DC
Song Year: 2008
One of the most famous hard rock bands in history is AC/DC. They have been making hits since they first formed in the early ‘70s. Their hits continue coming, including this song from their album Black Ice, released in 2008. The images of raging storms and howling winds are in keeping with the scary weather many parts of the world deal with in May.
2. “Hold On Till May” by Pierce the Veil
Song Year: 2012
In recent years, Piece the Veil has seen the growth of many of their songs making it to the Billboard charts. This song got released on their Collide with the Sky album in 2012. Featuring Lindsey Stamey of the band Oh No Fiasco, the lyrics tell the story of a couple who has been away from each other for a long time. They are looking forward to the spring when they can be together again.
3. “Rock Bottom” by Hailee Steinfeld
Song Year: 2016
In addition to appearing in top-rated Marvel TV shows, Hailee Steinfeld has been a successful singer and songwriter for many years. She released this song in 2016 with a guest appearance by DNCE that features Joe Jonas. The song is about a relationship, which is what spring is about.
4. “Month of May” by Arcade Fire
Song Year: 2010
The Canadian rock band, Arcade Fire, released this song as a part of the soundtrack to the Spike Jonze short film “Scenes from the Suburbs” in 2010. It is the B-side track to their single, “The Suburbs.” The song mixes the feelings of danger and romance by bringing up images of violent storms and new love.
5. “A Fathers First Spring” by The Avett Brothers
Song Year: 2012
The Avett Brothers are a folk rock band from North Carolina that has been experimenting with a mixture of indie rock, honky tonk, and ragtime since they formed in the late 90s. This song got released in 2012 as part of their album titled The Carpenter. The lyrics are about a father welcoming his new child into the first spring day they will experience together.
6. “First of May” by The Bee Gees
Song Year: 1969
The Bee Gees released this song in 1969 as part of their album Odessa. It was the first single the group ever released after Vince Melouney, their lead guitarist, had left. This song is about love, growing older, and the loss of relationships. Spring is the beginning of new things, which can mean saying goodbye to old things.
7. “Maybe Next May” by Secrets
Song Year: 2013
Secrets is a post-hardcore band with the sound of classic punk rock but with much more expressionism in their lyrics. They released this song as part of their Fragile Figures album in 2013 and made it to number 59 on the Billboard 200.
Playing on the fact that spring is full of hope and love, this song goes the opposite way by focusing on a breakup. The singer is telling their lover to leave if they must, but he can’t breathe without them.
8. “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin
Song year: 1926
This song has been remade many times over the past century, but it was written and recorded by Irving Berlin in 1926. It has become one of the standards that have endured throughout time. The song is full of springtime imagery, including blue skies, bluebirds, and sunlight.
9. “Spring Affair” by Donna Summer
Song Year:1976
Donna Summer released an album in 1976 titled Four Seasons of Love. This concept album explored themes of all seasons through different styles of music and song imagery. “Spring Affair” was an eight-minute song that tells the story of a new romantic relationship. The spring phase of the affair is all about the newness of their love.
10. “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash
Song Year: 1972
This reggae song was sung by Johnny Nash and was a light and colorful tune about the promise of the future. There is an old saying that April showers bring May flowers, and that is what this song portrays. Once the storm is over and the rain is gone, you can see clearly.
11. “A Beautiful Morning” by The Rascals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykLVZR7RG_w
Song Year: 1968
This song was popular because of the catchy words that remind us that a new day brings new possibilities. That was an important sentiment to remember because of the state of the world in the late ‘60s. Listeners could remember that no matter what happened, a new day will come tomorrow, and with it came a new chance for all of us.
12. “5 Days in May” by Blue Rodeo
Song Year: 1983
Two things guaranteed in May are young love and hurricanes. This song from the Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo is from their Five Days in July album is about both. The song tells the story of a young couple who met in a hurricane shelter. They fall in love and spend five days together.
13. “Early Morning May” by Ronald Jenkees
Song Year: 2012
Ronald Jenkees is a musician who made a name for himself playing rock, techno, and hip-hop. He released this song on his second album, titled Days Away. This new-age dance and electronic tune gathered a second life after being sampled by Travis Scott for his song “Watch.”
14. “The Lullaby of Spring” by Donovan
Song Year: 1967
Images of the morning mist, a warm wind blowing, and green leaves under berries get described in the lyrics of this song. Donovan published this album titled A Gift From a Flower to a Garden. The words make the listener think about the feeling of spring. Listening to it can almost make you feel the warm sun and a cool stream of water.
15. “Spring Vacation” by The Beach Boys
Song Year: 2012
The Beach Boys are well-known for their songs about the sun, surfing, and cars. They are the ultimate summertime group and have gotten played at countless cookouts and bonfires over the last few decades. In 2012 they released their first album with original material in 30 years. This song is about going on spring break, hanging out with friends, and cruising in a nice car.
16. “Can’t Stop the Spring” by The Flaming Lips
Song Year: 1987
This song was released in 1987 by The Flaming Lips on their album Oh My Gawd!!! It is all about the inability to stop the inevitable. The lyrics say you can crush the flowers, but the spring won’t be stopped, no matter what you do.
17. “Night of the 4th of May” by Al Stewart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCYWMymuXU8
Song Year: 1972
Al Stewart released this song as part of his Orange album. The song is part of a story told in chapters across several of the album’s songs. It begins as a happy song with a couple of lovers waking up together. Eventually, a question of infidelity comes up, and the story continues in another song.
18. “Fires of Spring” by Chris Rea
Song Year: 1978
The album titled Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? got released by Chris Rea in 1978. This song is featured on that album and tells the story of a woman living for herself and not caring what anyone thinks.
19. “It Might as Well Be Spring” by Nina Simone
Song Year: 1959
Everyone has had that feeling of restlessness when spring begins. After going all winter in the cold and spending so much time indoors, we become itchy to get out and do things. That is what this song by Nina Simone that she released on her album titled The Amazing Nina Simone is about. Frank Sinatra also sang this song many times.
20. “The Lusty Month of May” by Alan Jay Lerner
Song Year: 1960
Alan Jay Lerner wrote this song as part of his play Camelot. Based on the legend of King Arthur, it is full of memorable musical numbers. This song is one of the more fun numbers in which the characters celebrate the arrival of spring.
21. “The Beautiful Month of May” by Jack Harmann
Song Year: 2007
If you have never heard of this song, chances are your children can tell you all about it. Jack Hartmann wrote this song in 2007. It appears on the album Rhythms and Rhymes for Special Times. It is a calendar song, meant to help teach children about the different seasons of the year.
22. “End of May” by Michael Buble
Song Year: 2009
New love can come in the spring, making you feel light and full of energy. This song, released by Michael Buble in 2009 as part of his Crazy Love album, is about the end of that love. Once the love has faded, he realizes that there are still bills to pay and that his life has to carry on.
23. “My Girl of the Month of May” by Dion and the Belmonts
Song Year: 1969
Dion and the Belmonts was one of the pre-teen heartthrobs everyone loved before The Beatles took the world by storm. However, this act lasted when many others faded away. This song was released on their Together Again album and brought back that nostalgic doo-wop sound.
24. “May 16” by Lagwagon
Song Year: 1998
Lagwagon vocalist Joey Cape sang this song for their album titled Let’s Talk About Feelings, released in 1998. While many songs about May are about beginnings, this one is about an ending.
The story told about this song is that Cape had a falling out with some friends and missed their wedding. This song is about realizing that a chapter in your life has come to an end.
25. “Third of May” by Fleet Foxes
Song Year: 2017
Released in 2017 on the album Crack-Up, this song is about the unrequited relationship brewing between two members of the band. Frontman Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset were on tour together before finally connecting, The song grew from the feeling of knowing they wanted to be together but not being able to quite get there.
26. “Then Came the Last Days of May” by Blue Oyster Cult
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyLMgIR69G4
Song Year: 1972
Blue Oyster Cult has always been known for its haunting sound and ghostly lyrics. Songs like “Don’t Fear the Reaper” have been famous for decades. This song was released on their self-titled album in 1972. In contrast to many of the songs on our list, it is about death. The three boys in the song’s lyrics are killed in a car accident before it is finished.
27. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
Song Year: 1969
When The Beatles came on the scene they were known for their rock sound that was easy to dance to. This song had a slower tempo and was about the new beginning that comes with a new day. With May being the middle of spring, this song is perfect to play.
Top Songs About May, Final Thoughts
The month of May has been a source of inspiration for songwriters across many different genres. From the joyful celebrations of spring to musings on the fleeting nature of time, the songs on this list capture the themes associated with this beautiful month.
Whether you’re enjoying the blooming flowers, the warmer weather, or the longer days, this list of the best songs about May is sure to resonate with you.