Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett's 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' Named Best Country Summer Song
Many of country music's most popular tracks feel tailor-made for summer listening due to their lyrics and overall vibe. As a result, there is fierce competition for the title of the best summer song from the genre. That is what makes it so impressive that one 2003 hit was recently voted the best country summer song ever recorded.
Why 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett Was Voted the 'Best Country Song About Summer'
In September 2025, Ranker updated its article that allows fans to vote on the "Best Country Songs About Summer." The article featured songs from a slew of major stars, including Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Tracy Byrd, Travis Tritt, Blake Shelton, and more. Based on votes from the kind of country fans who care enough to seek an article like that out, Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" deserved to top that ranking at No. 1.
As anyone who has heard "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" will likely attest, the song being chosen to top the list makes sense. Performed by two icons who have been beloved by fans for decades, it is a piece of musical escapism that perfectly played off both artists' images. The fact that it pairs laid-back music with lyrics focused on getting away from work frustrations was also genius. Other factors, including that it feels like it was crafted to be sung by large groups, have also helped it create a lasting legacy.
Released in June 2003, calling "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" a huge hit actually feels like an understatement. The song charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a total of 28 weeks and hit No. 1 on August 9, 2003, where it stayed for a staggering eight non-consecutive weeks.
The Top 25: Ranker's "Best Country Songs About Summer"
- No. 25 Brad Paisley - "I'm Gonna Miss Her" (2002)
- No. 24 Alan Jackson - "Summertime Blues" (1994)
- No. 23 Kenny Chesney - "Beer in Mexico" (2007)
- No. 22 Travis Tritt - "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" (2000)
- No. 21 Tracy Byrd - "Watermelon Crawl" (1994)
- No. 20 Craig Morgan - "Redneck Yacht Club" (2005)
- No. 19 Tim McGraw - "I Like It, I Love It" (1995)
- No. 18 Dierks Bentley - "What Was I Thinking" (2003)
- No. 17 Florida Georgia Line - "Cruise" (2012)
- No. 16 Jake Owen - "Beachin'" (2014)
- No. 15 Garth Brooks - "Ain't Goin' Down ('til the Sun Comes Up)" (1993)
- No. 14 Kenny Chesney - "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" (2002)
- No. 13 Kid Rock - "All Summer Long" (2007)
- No. 12 Blake Shelton - "Some Beach" (2004)
- No. 11 Alan Jackson - "Chattahoochee" (1993)
- No. 10 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - "Fishin' in the Dark" (1987)
- No. 9 Jimmy Buffett - "Margaritaville" (1977)
- No. 8 Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Sweet Home Alabama" (1974)
- No. 7 Zac Brown Band - "Toes" (2009)
- No. 6 Zac Brown Band - "Knee Deep" (2011)
- No. 5 Zac Brown Band - "Chicken Fried" (2008)
- No. 4 Jake Owen - "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" (2011)
- No. 3 Kenny Chesney - "Summertime" (2006)
- No. 2 Kenny Chesney - "When the Sun Goes Down" (2004)
- No. 1 Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett - "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" (2003)
Next: 1949 Iconic Song Named the ‘Best Classic Country Song' by Country Music Fans
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM.