Sonic the Hedgehog games typically have levels set in many different biomes, from snowy mountains to lush green forests and tropical beaches. As such, the level's music consistently matches the setting. Over its long history, the Sonic franchise has had all manner of musical styles brought to the game's soundtracks. It showcases some of the most diverse music in video games, and is renowned for its consistent yet sometimes experimental music.

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From working with mainstream artists, some of the composers at Sonic Team have worked on the game’s music for well over 20, even 30, years. These summer-themed levels from across the Sonic series have music that truly captures the ‘feeling’ of summer, through the instruments and musical style used. This makes these songs some of the best summer-themed music in Sonic that can be enjoyed both in-game or for any summer activity.

8 Palmtree Panic (Sonic CD)

Captures The Feeling Of A Party

Of the classic era games, Sonic CD was able to include the sounds of real instruments, thanks to its original release on the Sega CD. This allowed for some massive advancements in the Sonic franchise’s musical style. In the original Japanese and European release, Palmtree Panic’s theme just oozes a sense of summer joy. Opening with loud horns and including the sounds of clapping and kid’s voices, it feels like a celebratory kind of theme, an unusual move for an opening stage.

The composers, Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata, used lots of brass instruments, giving the theme a funky style. As such, this stage certainly has a party feel to it, and combined with the esthetic, gives off a feeling of summer. Palmtree Panic certainly goes all out, making it a very memorable and upbeat track.

7 Windmill Isle: Day (Sonic Unleashed)

An Invigorating Track With A Real ‘Holiday’ Vibe

Known for its diverse soundtrack,Sonic Unleashed’s opening level takes place on an island reminiscent of a popular holiday destination, the Greek islands. Sonic himself, accompanied by new friend Chip, take their time enjoying the island, even sampling some of the local ice-cream. For Windmill Isle’s Day stage, Tomoya Ohtani managed to create the perfect image of a summer’s day on holiday.

Ohtani used a rapid pace and upbeat tambourines, but it's the violins that steal the show. These violins create a sense of elegance, especially as players rush through the beautiful streets of the island. There are many layers to the music and, combined with a strong beat, create an extremely catchy uplifting feel with a real summer vibe, just like the stage itself.

6 Tropical Resort Act 1 (Sonic Colors)

Funky, And Extremely Catchy

Seeing as Sonic Colors has no opening cutscene, players are thrust straight into Tropical Resort’s bright and wacky setting. Act 1’s music just oozes a sense of fun and excitement, with its fast tempo and pronounced use of artificial sounds. It's also extremely funky and really shows off the electric guitar and bass.

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Sonic Colors’ soundtrack is full of beaty, electro-pop tracks, yet Tropical Resort Act 1 is immediately iconic thanks to its catchy rhythm and, most notably, its infectious guitar earworm. This stage truly gives players the feeling of a bustling holiday resort in peak season. As with all the stage themes in Sonic Colors Ultimate, this music received a remix. Though the iconic guitar earworm remains, its drumkit pattern gives it an even groovier flair.

5 Seaside Hill (Sonic Heroes)

A Fun Upbeat Track

Sonic Heroes opens with a stage reminiscent of Sonic’s first ever level, Green Hill Zone, with its iconic checkerboard cliffs and vivid greens and blues. It may seem hard to believe that rock music could evoke such a typical scene of summer in one’s mind. However, Sonic Heroes’ Sound Director, Jun Senoue, achieved this with a strong use of rock guitars.

The guitars don’t serve to make the music aggressive. Instead, they add a real feeling of joy, which perfectly matches Seaside Hill's summery esthetic. From guitars playing in harmony to its catchy and fast pace, the bright sounds Senoue used here manage to create a truly 'summer' feel in a less traditional way.

4 Wave Ocean: The Water's Edge (Sonic 06)

A Peaceful Tune Evoking A Beautiful Beach Scene

Wave Ocean is Sonic 06’s first stage, seeing Sonic in a frantic pursuit of the Egg Carrier. Though Act 1, "The Water’s Edge", has a fast pace and loud rock instrumentation to mimic Sonic's urgency, the music actually achieves a very unique effect. Composers Tomoya Ohtani and Mariko Nanba managed to evoke a ‘romantic’ view of a typical summer beach scene through some beautiful and dramatic music. This blends together with a strong bass to give listeners a track brimming with emotion.

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"The Water’s Edge" was written in a minor key, something which typically brings a more emotional and reflective sound to music. As well as fading in and drawing out certain notes, the way Ohtani and Nanba used rock guitars uniquely doesn’t make this tune aggressive. Instead, the guitars’ high pitch and steady rhythm creates an almost peaceful quality, like the feeling of literally being by the ocean’s shore. This track is unique in achieving a sense of calm and the stillness of a deserted beach through the seemingly contrasting musical elements all at once.

3 Tropical Coast Zone 1 (Sonic Lost World)

One Of The Series' Grooviest Songs

Sonic Lost World’s soundtrack used a lot of diverse orchestral instruments to fit with each area’s esthetic. For Tropical Coast, composer Tomoya Ohtani used a much slower tempo, unlike all the other themes on this list. Combined with the reggae style, this tune perfectly gives off the feeling of kicking back on the beach.

Ohtani used a heavy focus on steel pans and loud horns, which really gives this tune a strong groovy feel. Players will find this funky theme extremely catchy, especially as it’s very reminiscent of the iconic Disney song "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid.

2 Azure Blue World (Sonic Adventure)

Has A Real Beach Party Vibe

With one of the most memorable openings of any Sonic stage, the theme of Emerald Coast immerses players in an archetypal summer setting. As the name implies, "Azure Blue World" truly evokes the image of summer: sun, sea and sand, through stunning and diverse instrumentation which blend together effortlessly. Sound director Jun Senoue was highly influential to the sounds of the franchise, especially in the Dreamcast era. As such, he paired hard rock with the summery sounds of the electric sitar.

The 'bounce' of the electric sitar gives off the feeling of chilling by the sea. Accompanied by the strong ‘sparkle’ sound effects and plenty of upbeat 90s synths, this tune just perfectly gives off a feeling of summer fun on the beach. It is accompanied by rock guitars, as was Senoue’s focus for the soundtracks he composed. As such, this truly packs a punch whilst exuding the feeling of a beach party in the afternoon.

1 Can You Feel The Sunshine? (Sonic R)

A Song Which Truly Captures The Essence Of Summer

One of the franchise’s most iconic vocal tracks, "Can You Feel The Sunshine?" is the perfect Sonic song to listen to on a bright summer’s day. The songs which make up Sonic R’s truly unique soundtrack may be known for cheesy and playful lyrics, yet this opening song just screams ‘Summer’ in every way. With its almost chaotic-fast rhythm and typical 90s pop instrumentation, singer T.J. Davis’ peppy vocals and uplifting lyrics perfectly describe the feeling of enjoying a beautiful summer’s day.

Everything about the track, from the vocals to its high-pitched instrumentation, captures the typical ‘summer vibe.’ As such, its the perfect summer-themed Sonic song, just oozing a sense of joy. Richard Jacques and T.J. Davis collaborated on other Sega soundtracks such as Metropolis Street Racer, but are perhaps best known for the incredibly unique soundtrack they brought to Sonic R. This song just urges players to enjoy the summer weather, asking if they can "feel the sunshine" themselves.

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