The quest to pinpoint the song of the summer is an annual tradition, albeit a challenging one. It’s a combination of personal preference and the tracks that dominate airwaves and playlists. Some summers offer a clear winner like TLC’s ‘Waterfalls’ in 1995, while other years are less decisive.
This year, The Washington Post took a systematic approach to this subjective question by examining Spotify charts from 20 different cities across the United States. The results indicate that the song of the summer varies depending on the listener’s location.
Regional Preferences
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the moody tones of Jay Wheeler’s ‘De Lejitos’ featuring Omar Courtz reached the top spot thanks to its emotional narrative of past relationships. Meanwhile, Miami listeners favored Drake’s introspective track ‘Janice STFU’.
New York and Los Angeles favored Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Stupid Song’, a ballad encapsulating youthful infatuation. This track resonated strongly with the cities’ trendsetters, as described by Diego Barba, a camp counselor from Los Angeles.
Across the rest of the country, Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ emerged as a favorite from Houston to Portland and beyond. The song’s compelling narrative and Langley’s unique delivery helped it ascend to a significant hit, maintaining its presence on the charts.
Unexpected Hits
Singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd saw a resurgence with his track ‘Earrings’ after it gained traction on TikTok. Despite some setbacks due to artificial streaming issues, the song maintained a high ranking throughout the summer.
Additionally, Michael Jackson’s iconic ‘Billie Jean’ reappeared in the charts following the release of a biopic. It continued to attract listeners, standing the test of time as a classic.
Nostalgia and Renewed Interest
Tracks like The Killers’ ‘Mr. Brightside’ and Mac Miller’s ‘Cinderella’ experienced renewed interest. ‘Mr. Brightside’ found its way back into popular playlists, while ‘Cinderella’, boosted by TikTok, became a notable posthumous success for Mac Miller.
These songs highlight the power of nostalgia and the role of social media in reviving and propelling tracks to new audiences.
A Shifting Musical Landscape
While ‘Choosin’ Texas’ claims the informal title of the song of the summer based on streaming data, the fragmented nature of music consumption today makes such declarations complex. As algorithms and social trends lead listeners in various directions, the idea of a singular song of the summer is increasingly elusive.
Methodology
The analysis spanned data from May 15 to July 17, using Spotify Charts to track trends in 20 cities: Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Omaha, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, San Juan, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, and Washington. The data was compiled and evaluated by city, song, and artist.
Editing by Ellen McCarthy and Carla Spartos. Visuals by Klara Auerbach. Development by Yutao Chen. Data editing by Meghan Hoyer. Design editing by Emily Eng and Christine Ashack. Copy editing by Matt Schnabel. Photo editing by Toni Sandys.