What Will The Song of Summer Be? 15 Options

Early contenders from around the world, in no particular order.

April 29, 2015

Buzz can build and die quickly on the internet, but things move slower on terrestrial radio, or your cousin's Spotify. The songs that will be everywhere in June and July may not yet be apparent, but they have probably already been released. With that in mind, here are some early contenders for 2015's Song of Summer. It's possible there's a clear winner that's yet to emerge—Rihanna, what is your next single?!—but for now, this is the weird field.

​Skrillex and Diplo f. Justin Bieber, "Where Are Ü Now"

Unexpectedly human comeback.

Evidence of heat: Top 20 in 7 European countries, 15 million SoundCloud plays of a snippet

Last year's version: There actually wasn't one? In my heart, some weird calculus of Tove Lo, "Habits (Stay High)," Tinashe, "2 On," and that Flume remix of Lorde.

​Skrillex and Diplo f. Justin Bieber, "Where Are Ü Now"
Kygo f. Conrad, "Firestone"

Thing your mom and Dutch DJs can agree on.

Evidence of heat: 5 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100, Big on Shazam in Canada, Australia, and Israel

Last year's version: Milky Chance, "Stolen Dance"; Mr. Probz, "Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)"

Kygo f. Conrad, "Firestone"
Flo Rida f. Sage the Gemini and Lookas, "GDFR"

Saxobeat for bros.

Evidence of heat: 145 million Spotify streams, Another 43 million vide views

Last Year's Version: Jason Derulo, "Wiggle"

Flo Rida f. Sage the Gemini and Lookas, "GDFR"
Fifth Harmony f. Kid Ink, "Worth It"

Saxobeat for female empowerment.

Evidence of heat: 9 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100, 10 million video views

Last Year's Version: Ariana Grande f. Iggy Azalea, "Problem"

Fifth Harmony f. Kid Ink, "Worth It"
Chedda Da Connect, "Flicka Da Wrist"

Neighborhood meme with big potential.

Evidence of heat: Millions of Vine loops, 4 weeks on Billboard's Hip-Hop Airplay chart

Last year's version: Bobby Shmurda, "Hot Nigga"

Chedda Da Connect, "Flicka Da Wrist"
Wiz Khalifa f. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"

Piano ballad to awaken male feelings.

Evidence of heat: Most Spotify streams for a single song in a day EVER, 2 weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100, 200 million video views in 3 weeks, 1.5 million singles sold in 3 weeks

Last year's version: John Legend, "All of Me"

Wiz Khalifa f. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"
Natalie LaRose f. Jeremih, "Somebody"

Best interpolation of a song from 1985-1995.

Evidence of heat: Top 40 hit in 7 countries

Last year's version: Jeremih, "Don't Tell Em"

Natalie LaRose f. Jeremih, "Somebody"
Nicky Jam f. Enrique Iglesias, "El Perdon"

Latin radio force.

Evidence of heat: With 18.3 million views in one week, the most viewed video released in partnership with the YouTube Music Awards

Last year's version: Enrique Iglesias, "Bailando"

Nicky Jam f. Enrique Iglesias, "El Perdon"
Axwell /\ Ingrosso, "On My Way"

Life-affirming EDM singalong.

Evidence of heat: 5 weeks on BIllboard's Dance chart

Last year's version: Tiësto f. Matthew Koma, "Wasted"

Axwell /\ Ingrosso, "On My Way"

Listen to these songs, plus a couple more summer jams, as a Spotify playlist:

What Will The Song of Summer Be? 15 Options