What is the 2026 song of the summer? AP offers some predictions
[June 24, 2026]
By MARIA SHERMAN
NEW YORK (AP) — What is 2026's song of the summer?
There's no easy answer. Algorithmic division is certainly a factor in
why there isn't an obvious pick this year. Where have the songs like
“Despacito” in 2017 or “Old Town Road” in 2019 gone? Last year, some
even wondered if Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” — a ballad, not a banger —
qualified, a departure from the usual up-tempo, feel-good hits.
Whatever your summer mood or flavor, The Associated Press has found a
song to soundtrack the season, collected in a Spotify playlist.
Biggest song of the year and therefore the default song of the
summer: “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
Ella Langley broke out just last year with the throwback, spoken-word
track “You Look Like You Love Me,” featuring Riley Green, but it’s her
breakup banger “Choosin’ Texas” that has made her a crossover country
star. Not only has it spent more time at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
than any other song this year, it also has some of the most distinctive
lyrics of the year. “He always loved ‘Amarillo By Morning,’” she sings
in a particularly melancholic verse, referencing the George Strait
classic. “I should’ve taken that as a warnin’.” Indeed.
Past champion: “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA (2025)
Song of the summer for when you lose the beef but still have fight
left in ya: “Janice STFU,” Drake
For the better part of 2025, Drake mostly made headlines for his feud
with Kendrick Lamar. It’s safe to say he lost that war, but he’s clearly
not going anywhere; he's still one of the most streamed artists of all
time. “Janice STFU” is the undeniable hit off May's “Iceman,” with its
familiar Lykke Li interpolation and moody production.
Past champion: “Nokia,” Drake (2025)
Song of the summer that shares a title with a film: “Midnight Sun
(Girls Trip),” Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress
It's the title of a 2018 romantic drama starring Bella Thorne and a term
used to describe regions around the Arctic Circle. But in 2026, the
phrase “Midnight Sun” belongs to Swedish pop star Zara Larsson. It’s the
title of her last album and lead single, the inescapable Eurodance-pop
“Midnight Sun,” with an elastic vocal performance. Last month, she
released “Midnight Sun: Girls Trip,” a collection of remixes featuring
everyone from Shakira and Robyn to Kehlani and rapper JT and, of course,
PinkPantheress.
Past champion: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Deep Blue Something (1995)
Song of the summer for high-energy It Girls: “DANCE…,” Slayyyter
She’s the “Wor$t Girl in America,” if her cheeky album title is to be
believed, but also one of pop’s great new provocateurs. At the album's
center is her buzzy electro-pop opus “DANCE…,” perfect for those who’ve
been patiently awaiting her mainstream rise — and those who need a good
excuse to hit the dance floor.
Past champion: “Bad Girls,” Donna Summer (1979)
Song of the summer for the throwback crowd: “I Just Might,” Bruno
Mars
Earlier this year, hitmaker Bruno Mars returned with his first new album
in 10 years, anchored by the feel-good, disco-pop-soul single “I Just
Might.” The throwback tune is a funky reprieve from slow or boring days
— and one that will be heard on wedding dance floors for the foreseeable
future.
Past champion: “Red Red Wine,” UB40 (1983)
Song of the summer that arrived at the beginning of the year:
“Dracula (Jennie Remix)”, Tame Impala and Jennie
There’s a long tradition of the song of the summer arriving at the top
of the year — looking at you, “drivers license” and “Boy’s a Liar PT.
2.” This year, the title goes to Tame Impala’s “Dracula” — particularly
the remix with Blackpink’s Jennie. “Run from the sunlight, Dracula,”
they harmonize, in a vocal melody inescapable on TikTok and in the real
world.
Past champion: “NUEVAYoL,” Bad Bunny (2025)
Song of the summer for those looking for a club classic: “Chévere (premium_remix),”
by Aria Vega and Ryan Castro
A club-ready contender for song of the summer should be easy, breezy and
amorous. Such is the case of Aria Vega and Ryan Castro's “Chévere (premium_remix),”
where reimagined, romantic reggaeton is perfect for a house party or
finding the love of your life. Ideally both.
Past champion: “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé (2022)
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Korean group BTS appears at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las
Vegas on April 3, 2022. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
 Song of the summer for people who
know the power of a good bridge: “The Cure,” Olivia Rodrigo
In the lead up to her career-best album, “You seem pretty sad for a
girl so in love,” Olivia Rodrigo released “The Cure.” It marked a
giant step forward for the young songwriter, with dreamy guitars,
orchestral strings and most impactful of all: its explosive bridge.
Past champion: “Hollaback Girl,” Gwen Stefani (2005)
Song of the summer for people who love music, fashion and film in
equal measure: “SS26,” Charli xcx
So long, “BRAT.” The contemporary pop landscape’s preeminent party
girl is in for a bummer of a summer. “SS26,” one of the first tracks
released from Charli xcx’s forthcoming “Music, Fashion, Film,” is
shockingly minimalistic, with little more than distorted guitar
riffs and production that sounds like a simple Casio keyboard
preset. It’s rock music, as she’s promised — but done her own way.
Past champion: “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell (1975)
Song for people who live like it's summer year-round: “E85,” Don
Toliver
“On the highway with my significant lover (I love),” the
singer-songwriter-rapper Don Toliver declares with ease in the
chorus of “E85.” “High octane, more fuel for your consumption.” If
there is an image more primed for the hot summer months than rolling
down the freeway on a trip with a loved one, we have yet to see it.
Past champion: “Mi Gente,” J Balvin and Willy William (2017)
Song of the summer for seaside dreamers: “Swim,” BTS
The game-changing K-pop boy band BTS returned after a nearly
four-year musical hiatus with “ARIRANG.” The comeback was led by
“Swim,” a reserved, alt-pop track that brings a kind of intimacy to
their stadium-sized output. The “Swim” here is metaphorical — as is
the “dive” in its chorus — of having a crush, but the aquatic
language works in conjuring dreamy, poolside imagery, too.
Past champion: “Waterfalls,” TLC (1995)
Song of the summer for the yearners: “Raindance,” Dave ft. Tems
British rapper Dave and Nigerian singer Tems team up for the
Afroswing single “Raindance,” a sweet, sexy song about wanting to
lock things down. “Hold me close, don’t tell me goodnight / Are you
down to get me?” the pair dreamily duet on the second verse. “Tell
me when you’re ready, I’m ready.”
Past champion: “Nineteen,” Tegan and Sara (2007)
Song of the summer for the sports crowd: “Dai Dai,” Shakira and
Burna Boy
This summer is all about soccer, so, of course, we had to include
one of the official songs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: “Dai Dai.”
The Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy team up
on an energetic, undeniably global pop track. It exists at the
intersection of all their strengths: Afrobeats and Latin rhythms,
separate, complementary verses and a strong chorus about unity.
Past champion: “The Final Countdown,” Europe (1986)
Song of the summer for those ready to stop feuding and enjoy life
again: “Horses & Divorces,” Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert
Look, there’s no shortage of great songs from Kacey Musgraves’
latest album, “Middle of Nowhere.” A case could be made to include
“Mexico Honey” or “Dry Spell” here, but what about a song with
norteño accordions and slide guitar that doubles as a cheeky
punchline to a fight? The capital-c country “Horses & Divorces”
brings musicians' feud to an end over a shared love of drinking and
Willie Nelson. What could be sweeter?
Past champion: “Girl, so confusing,” Charli xcx and Lorde (2024)
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