The sun is shining, the beach is calling, and school is out: It鈥檚 time to prepare the .
Often, there鈥檚 a clear champion: In 2017, Lusi Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber鈥檚 was unavoidable. In 2019, Lil Nas X鈥檚 ubiquitous foretold future superstardom. Olivia Rodrigo鈥檚 did the same in 2021. But that鈥檚 not always the case.
Was the go-to jam of the 2022 season? Who claimed the title during the summer-that-barely-was in 2020? When all the world鈥檚 music is available on streaming platforms, can genre-loyal listeners agree on a single song of the summer?
What if they didn鈥檛 have to? Well, here are AP鈥檚 2023 song(s) of the summer predictions 鈥� and holders of each crown from past years:
Club song of the summer: by Latto ft. Cardi B
Rapper Latto鈥檚 combative, no-nonsense flow atop a hot, minimalist beat on 鈥淧ut It On Da Floor鈥� makes it a club-ready contender for song of the summer. It also doubles as a seasonal mantra: 鈥淚鈥檓 sexy dancin鈥� in the house/I feel like Britney Spears,鈥� guest Cardi B spits.
Past champion: 鈥淏reak My Soul鈥� by Beyonc茅 (2022)
Song of the summer that inexplicably came out in January: by PinkPantheress, Ice Spice
The dream duo of PinkPantheress hyperpop-punk and lackadaisical rapper Ice Spice created 鈥淏oy鈥檚 a Liar PT. 2鈥�, a treatise on modern dating with an undeniable hook, and a very creative pronunciation of the word 鈥淟iar.鈥� (That boy鈥檚 a 鈥� Leo?) Few songs have six-plus months worth of staying power, but few songs have challenged what a pop hook can sound like: space-y and, at times, charmingly self-effacing. Like the Capricorn it is.
Past champion: So nice, it must be mentioned twice 鈥� 鈥淒rivers License鈥� by Olivia Rodrigo (2021)
The post-ironic, TikTok-heavy, too online, micro-hit song of the summer: by That Chick Angel, Casa Di & Steve Terrell
What do you get when you take a confrontational evangelical sermon on 鈥渟lut-shaming鈥� given by a woman who calls herself Sister Candy , remix it and give it a trap beat? A hit, thanks to comedian/rapper Angel Laketa Moore and artists and .
Past champion: 鈥淏irthday Suit鈥� by Cosmo Sheldrake (2019)
Hot (divorced) girl (song of the) summer: by Miley Cyrus
Those waiting for a Texas-sized country anthem will continue to do just that, but in the meantime: 鈥淔濒辞飞别谤蝉鈥� is an 鈥�80s synth-rock for those brokenhearted 鈥� and getting over it. For Cyrus, its a song about life after divorce, but for her fans, it is a celebration in finding partnership within yourself.
Past champion: 鈥淣ext Girl鈥� by Carly Pearce (2020)
Song of the summer 鈥� this week: by Kylie Minogue
Like a summer fling, Kylie Minogue鈥檚 disco heartbeat 鈥淧adam Padam鈥� is crush-worthy pop music for those who like their songs to burn bright, fast, and hard.
Past champion: 鈥淲ork From Home鈥� by Fifth Harmony (2016)
Biggest song of the year, and therefore the default song of the summer: by Morgan Wallen
The reign of Morgan Wallen continues into the summer, with his country pop-rock breakup record 鈥淟ast Night鈥� dominating terrestrial radio 鈥� and, likely, the headphones of the person next to you.
Past champion: 鈥淪omebody That I Used to Know鈥� by Gotye, Kimbra (2011)
Song of the summer that鈥檚 actually a cover: by Luke Combs
The takes the Tracy Chapman classic and turns it into a North Carolina campfire tune. Perfect for driving in your car, speed so fast.
Past champion: 鈥淔ast Car鈥� by Jonas Blue, Dakota (2015) 鈥� or really any another cover of 鈥淔ast Car,鈥� past and present
Song for the Swifties鈥� summer: by Taylor Swift
In a phrase: Karma is my boyfriend, Karma is a god, 鈥淜补谤尘补鈥� is everywhere this season 鈥� just like Taylor Swift, as continues.
Past champion: 鈥淩ed鈥� by Taylor Swift (2013)
Song for people who always live like it鈥檚 summer: by Bad Bunny
With a title like 鈥淲HERE SHE GOES,鈥� it might seem like the Puerto Rican reggaetonero was preparing to release a crossover hit recorded in English. But that鈥檚 not his style. Instead, Benito (as he鈥檚 lovingly dubbed by fans) marries the world of dembow and drill, still sung in Spanish 鈥� perfect for a late-night party or the early morning at the beach that follows.
Past champion: 鈥淢i Gente鈥� by J Balvin, Willy William (2017)
Song of the summer of revenge: by SZA
reaches new levels of self-actualization in this revenge fantasy. 鈥淚 might kill my ex,鈥� she croons, a soft exorcism of her worst impulses. 鈥淣ot the best idea.鈥�
Past champion: 鈥淲here My Girls At鈥� by 702 (1999)
Song for singles ready to mingle this summer: by Eslabon Armado x Peso Pluma
Is there a greater success story than the 鈥淓lla Baila Sola鈥� from Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma? Regional Mexican music has entered the American mainstream 鈥� horns and all 鈥� and this flirty track about a woman dancing on her own is proof.
Past champion: 鈥淏uy You A Drank (Shawty Snappin鈥�)鈥� by T-Pain, Yung Joc (2007)
Song of the summer romance: by Rema, Selena Gomez
The inescapable Afrobeats track from Nigerian singer Rema and pop star Selena Gomez isn鈥檛 slowing down this season. Expect to hear it at an oceanside hang and inside your local grocery store in equal measure, but mostly, playing quietly during a backyard make out session.
Past champion: 鈥淚 Swear鈥� by All-4-One (1994)
Empowering song of the summer: by Lil Durk ft. J. Cole
A children鈥檚 choir, a trap beat, and an inspirational hook make 鈥淎ll My Life鈥� the feel-good track of the summer, a reminder that positive attitude is a potent medicine.
Past champion: 鈥淏orn This Way鈥� by Lady Gaga (2011)
Slow burn song of the summer: by Toosii
Bangers come and go, but ballads live inside the soul. Rapper Toosii鈥檚 鈥淔avorite Song鈥� is for those hoping to have a romantic summer spent inside with a loved one.
Past champion: 鈥淚f Your Girl Only Knew鈥� by Aaliyah (1996)
Song of the summer for sad girls: by Fifty Fifty
Apologies to all fans of the indie-adjacent (Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker), but the sad girl song of the summer comes courtesy the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty. The harmonies on their lovelorn bubblegum pop song 鈥淐耻辫颈诲鈥� are sweet like candy, ripe for rolling the windows down and scream-singing along.
Past champion: 鈥淪ummertime Sadness鈥� by Lana Del Rey (2012)
