Did We Have a Song of the Summer? Discussing Music Trends with Billboard's Jason Lipshutz

The Elusive Song of the Summer

• 🎶 Music fans are questioning whether a definitive "song of the summer" emerged this year, noting an uncharacteristically "sleepy" season for standout tracks.
• 💡 The absence of a universally recognized summer anthem might reflect changes in how music is consumed rather than a lack of popular songs.

Defining the "Song of the Summer"

• 📊 Billboard's official metric for the song of the summer is based on chart performance between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• 🏆 By this definition, "I Had Some Help" by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen was the biggest song of the summer.
• 🎤 However, "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, which spent 10 weeks at number one on the Hot 100, is also cited as the biggest song, despite its more reflective, non-summery vibe.

Popular Contenders and Listener Preferences

• 🎧 While "Ordinary" dominated the charts, other songs like Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," Shabuzzi's "A Bar Song," and Tommy Richman's "Million Dollar Baby" were also popular summer hits.
• 📈 The dominance of streaming and algorithms plays a role in music consumption, but "Ordinary" also performed strongly on radio and downloads.
• ✨ Jason Lipshutz's personal pick for song of the summer is "Golden" from "K-pop Demon Hunters," a track that embodies a more upbeat, summery feel but was released too late to qualify for Billboard's official designation.

The Impact of Pop Culture and Youth Trends

• 🌟 The success of "K-pop Demon Hunters" and its songs in the top 10 highlights the power of pop culture phenomena and what resonates with young audiences.
• 💬 The conversation around music's biggest hits now includes not just chart performance but also cultural impact and the dominance of certain genres or artists in the public consciousness.