Every year, a so called "song of the summer" is crowned, which is essentially the song that's played non-stop in everybody's favorite season. Let's take a look at each iconic song of the summer since the start of the 21st century.
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Album: Romeo Must Die
Before her tragic passing in 2001, "Try Again" was a telling sign of just how talented Aaliyah really was. After her 1998 hit, "Are You That Somebody," the bar was set high, but she nonetheless came out on top in the summer of 2000. By the way - she starred in the movie that this song soundtracked.
Album: No Name Face
Lifehouse was dominating in the early 2000's, and this song is a clear indicator of exactly why that was. "Hanging by a Moment" was one of the last times a rock song would grace the title of "song of the summer."
Album: Nellyville
Everybody remembers the first time they heard "Hot In Herre." It's just one of those songs. Absolutely electric song of the summer. This was the epitome of an early 2000's banger.
Album: Dangerously In Love
You already know any time that Beyoncé and Jay-Z link up on a song, the result is legendary. This 2003 hit is absolutely no exception. Time and time again, they've proven to be an enormously successful power couple.
Album: Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Gwen Stefani was on top in the summer of 2004, thanks to her unforgettable song "Hollaback Girl." The song was an iconic banger that was sure to get feet stomping in any establishment. She'd continue to be making a competitive run throughout the remainder of the decade.
Album: Oral Fixation, Vol. 2
In the summer of 2005, Shakira and Wyclef Jean took over the airwaves with their collab hit "Hips Don't Lie." Nobody could resist this one. It currently has over 1 billion views on YouTube. That's right - more than a billion. Not too many songs have the ability to hold those bragging rights.
Album: St. Elsewhere
"I remember when... I remember, I remember" when Gnarls Barkley hijacked the summer of 2006 with the unforgettable smash hit, "Crazy." This was one of the most definitive songs of the decade, without a doubt.
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad
"Umbrella" with Jay-Z was truly Rihanna's breakout into stardom, turning her into a household name in the summer of 2007. The world would have no idea just how far she'd take this wave.
Album: One of the Boys
Katy Perry started an enormous hot streak with her 2008 song of the summer, "I Kissed A Girl." This was just the beginning of her reign as pop queen of the late 2000's.
Album: The E.N.D.
The Black Eyed Peas had an iconic run with their album The E.N.D. This was just one of multiple singles to top the charts from the project. This was the quintessential Black Eyed Peas song - and album. It gives a perfect glimpse into everything the group was about.
Album: Recovery
In what turned out to be Rihanna's second song of the summer, "Love the Way You Lie" took over the airwaves in 2010. It would be yet another indication of her musical prowess, as well as Eminem's continued glory in the music industry.
Album: Sorry For Party Rocking
Who could forget the first time this charismatic party-going duo broke into the scene in 2011? LMFAO took over the summer with their song "Party Rock Anthem." They'd feature some other party bangers, but none would stack up to the magnitude of this classic.
Album: Kiss
This song was on repeat all summer in 2012, when everyone was low-key expecting the world to end. What better way to go out than listening to "Call Me Maybe?" On a more serious note, this was the song that made Carly Rae Jepsen a household name, and she surely deserved it.
Album: Take Me Out - The Album
As everyone already knew, Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell are all legendary in their own way. But all together on a song? Even more so. It doesn't even feel right calling it the song of the summer. The world's obsession with this song didn't end when the fall arrived.
Album: Fancy
"Fancy" was Iggy Azalea's first and last breakout song of the summer, and she left behind quite the legacy alongside Charli XCX - before being known as Playboi Carti's girlfriend. She's made music since, but nothing as notable as this summer classic.
Album: Absolute Music 77
Omi had girls and guys singing along to his summertime classic "Cheerleader" in 2015. His vocal approach was incredibly memorable, to say the least.
Album: Views
While Drake wasn't new at the time, this song signified the start of him taking things to an entirely new level. "One Dance" showed he really wasn't playing around. He started to have fun with more genres, and this was truly just the start.
Album: Despacito
If you see Justin Bieber hop on a remix of a song, then there's a pretty strong chance the result is gonna be a classic. "Essence" by Tems and WizKid is yet another example, but "Despacito" might take the cake for most notable (at least numbers-wise).
Album: Scorpion
Drake made yet another appearance as the song of the summer in 2018 with his classic song, "In My Feelings." The Six God just does not miss - not to mention just how iconic his videos are. They make each one of his viral songs all the more memorable.
Album: Old Town Road
This song really showed off the impact of social media on the music industry, and is most people's first thought when they hear "late 2010's viral hit." Yet another unforgettable tune on our list. Lil Nas X made his name known in the blink of an eye, showing just how possible it is for anybody with the right music - and marketing strategy to back it. Everybody remembers the moment when they heard whispers of a "hip-hop country song."
Album: Blame It On Baby
DaBaby was at the height of his music-making prowess with this 2020 classic alongside Roddy Ricch. They took over the charts in 2020 with this earworm.
Album: Sour
Olivia Rodrigo had an explosive entrance in 2021 with "Driver's License" and "Good 4 U," the latter of which was on repeat throughout the summer of 2021 across the globe.
Album: Harry's House
2022 was the year of the Harry Styles takeover, fueled by his memorable album Harry's House. He turned this song of the summer (album of the summer, really) into a world tour, selling out stadiums left and right. People across the globe were pulling up to his shows, decked out in their trademark Harry getups, reminiscent of the dress style at Elton John shows.
