NEW YORK (AP) — What makes a terrific tune of the summer time? Is it an up-tempo pop banger? One thing with an earworm refrain? Does it have to characteristic the phrases “summer,” “sunshine,” or one other synonym — “California” — within the title? How may anybody try a tune of the summer time after the late, nice Seashore Boy Brian Wilson composed them so expertly, anyway?
It very effectively could also be topic to the attention (effectively, ear) of the beholder, however The Related Press views the tune of the summer time because the one which takes over these heat months between June and August, the sort that blasts out of automobile audio system and at seaside barbecues in equal measure. And which means many alternative issues for a lot of sorts of listeners.
So listed here are AP’s 2025 tune of the summer time predictions throughout classes, with previous victors for reference.
Discover your tune of the summer time after which take heed to our Spotify playlist, right here.
Track of the summer time that inexplicably got here out in January: “NUEVAYoL,” Unhealthy Bunny
A tune of the summer time doesn’t really must arrive in summer time, and even in spring. Historical past has proved this time and time once more, lest anybody overlook Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license” hit on the high of the 12 months in 2021. However this summer time, like each summer time, is about Unhealthy Bunny. On his newest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio pulls from Puerto Rico’s wealthy musical historical past and hybridizes it. He does so from the very opener, “NUEVAYoL,” which samples the fittingly named 1975 salsa hit from El Gran Combo, “Un Verano en Nueva York” (“A Summer in New York”).
Previous champion: “Boy’s a Liar PT. 2,” PinkPantheress, Ice Spice (2023)
Track of the summer time for the chronically on-line: “Tonight,” PinkPantheress
An web hero releases one other tremendous hit: PinkPantheress’ “Tonight” is an plain good time; all bassline home meets hyperpop vocals with a naughty refrain. The 24-year-old British singer-songwriter has proved she’s obtained a lot extra to supply than just a few viral hits — however her large songs that blow up on-line? They have a tendency to remain. That’s greater than could be stated about previous winners on this class.
Previous champion: “Million Dollar Baby,” Tommy Richman (2024)
Breakup tune of the summer time: “What Was That,” Lorde
Lorde’s first new single in 4 years remembers the intelligent synth-pop of her 2017 album “Melodrama,” casting apart the people detour of 2012’s “Solar Power.” “What Was That” is reserved revelation, introspective electropop that takes a measured take a look at a relationship’s dissolution. It feels good, and unhealthy, which is the purpose.
Previous champion: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” Bee Gees (1971)
Track of the summer time for the women and all those that love them: “Gnarly,” KATSEYE
KATSEYE, the worldwide lady group born out of Ok-pop growth strategies, are “Gnarly,” and so they’d such as you to be, too. The tune is asymmetrical pop with a cheerleading cadence and intensive, costly product placement. You’re right here for the women, otherwise you’re not. Gnarly!
Previous champion: “Bills, Bills, Bills,” Future’s Baby (1999)
Track for singles able to mingle this summer time: “WASSUP,” Younger Miko
Flirting is central to those scorching months; no different season has a fling named after it. Puerto Rican rapper Younger Miko is aware of this higher than most, and her monitor “WASSUP” is all about charisma — and it doesn’t harm that it interpolates “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne that includes Static Main and “Chulin Culin Chunfly” by Voltio that includes Residente.
Previous champion: “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” T-Ache that includes Yung Joc (2007)
Track of the summer time for many who love British boy ballads carried out by an American: “Ordinary,” Alex Warren
Final 12 months introduced Benson Boone’s shiny smooth pop-rock; this 12 months, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” is inescapable. A giant, inoffensive ballad with loosely non secular themes, it’s meticulously designed to the pull at heartstrings. And it does — the tune hit No. 1 on the Billboard Sizzling 100.
Previous champion: “Beautiful Things,” Benson Boone (2024)
Track of the summer time for once you lose the meat however nonetheless have battle left in ya: “Nokia,” Drake
For the final 12 months, Drake has largely made headlines for his rivalry with Kendrick Lamar, one of many greatest beefs in trendy rap music historical past. He was no victor, however on “Nokia,” he’s definitely a winner. The tune is a return to what Drizzy is aware of finest: an enormous rap-R&B-pop tune for the ages, one that may reside contained in the minds of listeners for the entire 12 months. Simply, you already know, replete with the nostalgic sounds of a Nokia ringtone.
Previous champion: The distinction right here, after all, is that Drake gained his beef with Meek Mill. However nonetheless: “Back to Back,” Drake (2015)
The TikTok-approved, blast-of-dopamine tune of the summer time: “Boots on the Ground,” 803Fresh
Social media is the wild west and inevitably sources its personal tune of the summer time. Often, there’s a component of humor within the monitor — like 2023’s “The Margarita Song” by That Chick Angel, Casa Di & Steve Terrell. This 12 months is a bit completely different: 803Fresh’s “Boots on the Ground” is an natural hit that facilities a sort of soulful line dance — it’s country-pop with lure hi-hats and enjoyable for the entire household.
Previous champion: “The Spark,” Kabin Crew & Lisdoonvarna Crew (2024)
Track of the summer time for it ladies: “Fame Is A Gun,” Addison Rae
Charli xcx followers, concern not. Addison Rae’s debut album is filled with bejeweled, hypnotic pop songs for the post-“BRAT” crowd. Better of all is the Grimes-esque “Fame Is a Gun,” a sunglasses-in-the-club banger with artificial vocal textures and an unignorable refrain. For trendy listeners, and those that purpose to grow to be extra fabulous.
Previous champion: “Bad Girls,” Donna Summer season (1979)
Track of the summer time of revenge: “Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
Does it sound strikingly much like “Please, Please, Please” at instances? Certain. However has Sabrina Carpenter cornered the market on country-tinged, satirical pop songs about heterofatalism, an web neologism for many who discover heterosexuality embarrassing and hopeless? Additionally, sure. However you already know, with a wink, vengeance and a danceable high quality. Amen, hey males!
Previous champion: “Before He Cheats,” Carrie Underwood (from her 2005 debut album, however launched as a single in 2006)
Largest tune of the 12 months, and subsequently the default tune of the summer time: “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Is a tune launched in November too dated to qualify for tune of the summer time? Maybe. However right here’s the rub: Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Sizzling 100 for 13 weeks in 2025 — over half the 12 months thus far. Recognition makes the contender. It doesn’t harm that “Luther” can be the most effective songs of each this 12 months and final, a young R&B ballad that samples Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 rendition of “If This World Were Mine.” “Luther” has since been dethroned on the charts, however no different tune has come near its run this 12 months.
Previous champion: “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen (2023)
Nation crossover tune of the summer time: “What I Want,” Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae
If terrestrial nation radio is your main metric for choosing the tune of the summer time, then Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem” is probably going your choose. However a catchier monitor with true nation crossover attraction is “What I Want” with Wallen and pop singer Tate McRae. It’s the first time Wallen has featured a feminine vocalist on certainly one of his songs. It is a uncommon embrace for the chart topper, who traditionally prefers to buck nation duet custom and double down on his vocal fashion — heat, muscular, masculine.
Previous champion: “You’re Still the One,” Shania Twain (from her 1997 album, however launched as a single in 1998)
Track of the summer time launched half a decade in the past: “party 4 you,” Charli xcx
The info doesn’t lie and what’s outdated is new is outdated is new once more. Within the 12 months after “BRAT” summer time, need for extra Charli xcx remains to be robust. Because of this, followers have dug up a lower from her 2020 album, “How I’m Feeling Now,” and turned it into their very own summer time anthem … 5 years later. A lot so, in actual fact, that Charli launched a music video for it in Might.
Previous champion: “Cruel Summer,” Taylor Swift (launched in 2019, topped tune of the summer time in 2023)
Track of the summer time with a canine-themed title: “Mutt,” Leon Thomas
Look, “Mutt” additionally arrived in 2024, however in 2025 — bolstered by a deluxe launch and a latest Chris Brown remix — makes “Mutt” a simple tune of the summer time choose for some listeners. It’s troublesome to listen to that refrain and never sing alongside: “She said, ‘Take your time, what’s the rush?’ / I said, ‘Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt.’”
Previous champion: “Bird Dog,” The Everly Brothers (1958)
