Each year has its definitive Song of the Summer. It’s chiefly defined by two things: (a) its earwormy nature and (b) its ubiquity.
2014 was the summer of that “Wiggle” by Jason Derulo (feat. Snoop Dogg) was ubiquitous and “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj was everywhere. In 2015, you couldn’t step foot in a public plaza, athletic club nor shopping center without hearing either “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar or Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen.”
Previously, one might have thought that 2016 would have been defined by “Desiigner” by Panda, but let’s be honest, the track peaked about four days ago.
Below are your candidates 2016’s Song of the Summer. What do you think will reign supreme?
“CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” – Justin Timberlake
Already a hot contender for the Song You Will Loathe by August, “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” has all the signs of a summer smash. A smooth bass line, JT crooning through appropriately hollow lyrics that are probably about love, and an instrumental break that will play host to plenty of bad attempts at breakdancing. It’s shiny, perfectly produced and destined for oversaturation. –Chris Berg
“LA Devotee” – Panic! At The Disco
Most people filed P!atD away as a relic of the mid-2000s, another pop-emo act with too much eyeliner and faux-retro stylings. But they’ve been diligently working away in the meantime, and may have struck gold with “LA Devotee”. Big band trumpets are sprinkled over a danceable drum beat, while Urie swings for the fences on a catchy hook. It’s modern swing, fresh with shameless energy. –Chris Berg
“Needed Me” – Rihanna
“Work” is a delicate and gorgeous gem, but “Needed Me” – Rihanna’s Lake Shasta-est, frat party-est, EDM banger-est single since “We Found Love” – is rapidly emerging as the clear winner of Anti’s single wars. It’s the kind of roiling trap&B jam that just sounds right blasting out of car windows on a hot day, almost as if it’s always been a hit. And who produced it? DJ friggin’ Mustard, who you might remember as the most ubiquitous and ripped-off pop producer of three years ago. He clearly understood that he had to move past his patented “ratchet” sound to survive in 2016, and the fact he could muster up a beat like “Needed Me” proves there’s still plenty in store for the still-young auteur. –Daniel Bromfield
“One Dance” (Ft. Wiz Kid) – Drake
“Formation” – Beyonce
This song will undoubtedly be on the top of the list for songs of summer. When she dropped her new album, the internet blew up in excitement and praise for our Queen Bey. That said, the first song she let loose won’t be disappearing from the scene any time soon. With the combination of strong social commentary and powerful feminist lyrics like “I see it, I want it…I dream it, I work hard, I grind ’til I own it” this song makes a statement that sticks with you. Not to mention there’s a beat that will make you want to shake it and do your best moves you’ve been practicing in case she ever needs another backup dancer. –Jordyn Brown