Sizzling New Tracks: The Battle for Song of the Summer is On!
A look at the Song of Summer contenders so far!
Every May, a friend of mine sends a group email to a collective of friends I met at a job I had for the better part of the mid-2000s. The subject? SoS. No, not a call for help or a mayday signal–this email is a call for nominations for the Song of Summer. Everyone responds with their current picks. Playlists are made. The debate is on. Who will win? We can’t really say until temps start to cool in September. But is there ever really a winner?
Song of Summer as a concept doesn’t just belong to my small group of friends, of course. It is a cultural moment that happens every summer: no matter what your taste, no matter what media you generally consume, no matter where you might live, the Song of Summer is usually one (or one of several) you know either way. We would all be thrown into four minutes of sonic nostalgia should someone play one of the undeniable Songs of Summers past: Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen or “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X. It’s a thing.
News outlets hotly debate the topic and make their predictions, as we’ve seen already this year from The A.V. Club, Nylon, Complex, The Daily Beast, and Cosmo. Of course the debate is a bit different across media outlets that cover different genres, but generally we see a few of the same titles showing up on most lists.
So what makes a Song of Summer? Is there a formula? Is it simple timing? My email-chain friends are a group of eclectic music lovers with vastly different tastes. But we did decide that nominations for the SoS must have a few benchmark parameters. These requirements are funny and esoteric, like, “must hear the song at least a few times while grocery shopping” or “must be conducive to driving down a highway with all the windows open” or “you’d definitely hear this coming from someone’s speaker at the beach.” Generally, the idea is that it’s a song that is ubiquitous enough to have heard really anywhere regardless of what music you usually enjoy–but no matter how overplayed you might think it is you can’t deny that it’s a verified bop.
It’s early in the summer season, which means it’s a great time to make some predictions (and rev up for some healthy debate)! There’s so much happening in music right now, from Beyoncé’s country anthems to newcomers like Chappell Roan dominating the conversation to an epic rap battle I’m personally having trouble keeping up with. It all adds up to an exciting list of contenders for SoS. Below are just some of the tracks getting some buzz for Song of Summer status. And I’ll be honest, I picked some of my faves! Over on Spotify, the
put together a more extensive playlist for you to peruse.“Espresso” Sabrina Carpenter
I cannot lie: this is my pick for the SoS, no arguments, no competition. It’s been in all of our heads for weeks; even Adele loves it…I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan, so the release of The Tortured Poets Department had my full attention, music-wise, until “Espresso” pulled my attention away. It makes sense, given that Sabrina Carpenter joined Taylor on some of her first international tour dates, just before “Espresso” was released. It’s got everything: a summery music video vibe, flirty lyrics, and most importantly, it makes me think of iced coffee, my favorite summertime beverage. I may have been guilty of dancing to this one around my apartment at all hours. What can I say? That’s that me, espresso.
“Good Luck, Babe!” Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan seems to have come out of nowhere, but it’s not at all true. She was signed to a label in 2017 at age 17, dropped five years later, and spent some time working on making a comeback. Her experimental 2023 album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess earned her a spot opening on Olivia Rodrigo’s massive Guts Tour. Her newest single, “Good Luck, Babe,” came at the perfect time, just as her fandom was growing. Since its release in April 2024, it’s amassed over a million streams. The New York Times proclaims that she, along with Sabrina Carpenter, are doing something special to stand out: churning out self-conscious, humorous, fun pop hits while harnessing the virality of their live performances on social media. Their live shows are in constant conversation with their online fandoms, helping both of them get visibility they might not otherwise. In a peak career moment, Roan made her debut appearance at this year’s Coachella, a performance that significantly raised her profile (and streams).
“Lunch” Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish has been known for dazzling fans with her sultry voice, gorgeous lyrics, and wisdom beyond her years. And last summer she dominated the music scene with “What Was I Made For?” for the Barbie movie, which won her and brother Finneas O’Connell an Oscar. Recently, Eilish has been rather open about her queer identity, and her newest single “Lunch,” off her third album Hit Me Hard and Soft, is downright flirty and gives us a bit more insight into her own self discovery.
“Illusion” Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s newest album title, Radical Optimism, sounds like a mantra for summer, doesn’t it? So it’s no wonder that “Illusion” is a feel-good summer dance jam. The music video was filmed at Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc in Barcelona and features synchronized swimmers, divers, and dancers. It somehow looks like a nightclub, but with lots of sunshine and crystal blue waters. I have a feeling you won’t be able to hit an outdoor happy hour near a body of water this summer without hearing this one.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” Shaboozey
Admittedly, I hadn’t heard this one until a random scroll on social media. Someone I follow used it in their Instagram story and then I started hearing it everywhere. It’s a country spin on the 2004 mega-hit “Tipsy” by J-Kwon, one of the best party songs of the 2000s. Shaboozey drew on that party vibe for inspiration, as well as influences from country and bluegrass artists as he explains in a Rolling Stone video. The result is a folksy backyard party song that sounds like all your friends are singing along ion the background. What’s more summery than a vibe that conjures an outdoor bbq complete with beers and hard seltzers? Summer is generally a laid back party, and this track just feels like one you want to be at.
“I Had Some Help” Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
This was a long-awaited collaboration between Malone and Wallen, and their live performance at the Stagecoach music festival earlier this year solidified its contention for SoS. Morgan Wallen is currently on a massive summer tour, too, so this song will be everywhere for sure. Post Malone, with collaborations with Wallen, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift in recent months, has fully shifted his image to multi-genre artist, and he has been teasing his own country record. I’m here for it.
“Fortnight” Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
Speaking of Post Malone… The single from The Tortured Poets Department is poised to gain SoS status, what with remixes dropping and Swift adding it–and other tracks from TTPD–to the Eras Tour which she’ll be performing through the rest of the year. Post Malone’s contribution to this track, since he seems to be everywhere these days, could push the song into higher contention for SoS. Although, I must admit that my prediction is that her other breakout from the album, “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me,” might be a bigger hit once summer is over. It’s gaining traction on social media via TikTok and Instagram Reels, especially as concert attendees continue to upload videos from her epic stage performance of the song. We’ll see if I’m correct.
“Jump” Tyla
From South African singer Tyla, American rapper Gunna, and Jamaican rapper Skillibeng comes “Jump,” a true fusion of Afrobeats, hip-hop and dance. The music video received over two million views on YouTube within its first two days of release, and it has been praised for its authenticity in representing South Africa. The rhythmic track is a perfect choice for the online social media dance community, which also exposes the song to new audiences. Tyla made quite a stir at the recent Met Gala when she appeared in an arresting sand sculpture dress, a stunning gown that was basically sculpted to fit every curve of her body. Nothing says summer like being (spectacularly) covered in sand.
“360” Charli XCX
Charli XCX is known for fun upbeat songs like “Boom Clap,” “I Love It” and “Boys,” power dance bops that wedge themselves into your head and stick around for a while. As soon as I heard “360,” I immediately added it to my own summer playlist. Charli XCX always delivers a hit that just feels fun, and that’s the exact summer vibe I’m after.
So, those are my picks! I am sure I’ll change my mind a bunch before now and the first day of Fall. But for now, I would love to hear your thoughts and your own picks for SoS! Leave your contributions to the debate in the comments, and the tracks you suggest will be added Remarkist Spotify playlist!
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