11 queer songs that belonged on Spotify's Song of the Summer 2025
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It's that time of year again! The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and pop music fans are starting to discuss what they think will be this year's "song of the summer." Picking just one song to encapsulate an entire summer is often challenging, but it's always an entertaining debate among music lovers.
On Tuesday, May 20, Spotify revealed its selections for this year's "Song of the Summer," which included names like Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Charli XCX. Generally speaking, the Spotify list of guesses is pretty fun. Namely, queer people are obviously here for the resurgence of "Party 4 U." Anything Bad Bunny does is perfect, and "NUEVAYoL" is a standout track for the musician. And Lady Gaga is… well, mother!
Zooming in, though, it's quite disappointing to see that Spotify's "Song of the Summer" list doesn't feature more tracks by queer artists, or even tracks that are resonating with the LGBTQ+ community.
Below, spotlights queer contenders that should absolutely be considered in a "Song of the Summer" list for 2025.
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Since winning her first-ever Grammy Award in 2024 for "Flowers," Miley Cyrus has dropped many incredible songs leading up to her new album. The third single, "End of the World" is a euphoric pop anthem that perfectly complements a sunny stroll in the park or a relaxed beach hang.
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Your favorite artist's favorite artist, Chappell Roan, premiered her new song "The Giver" during her debut performance on Saturday Night Live back in November. Alas, the performance was subsequently scrubbed from the internet until she officially released the song in March.
Since then, the banjo-blaring, foot-stomping country song has become an anthem for queer people who love to pleasure their partners.
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Destin Conrad and Kehlani teamed up on a song called "Bad Bitches" for his debut album, Love on Digital. The 24-year-old Florida native, whose digital footprint goes all the way back to the late, great app known as Vine, is barging his way into the R&B space with a club-ready banger.
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The Beaches are making some of the best rock music coming out right now. They're filling the MUNA-sized hole left by their absence, but with a heavier rock flare. The band released their song, "Blame Brett," in 2023, and it blew up on social media. Now, they have a new single called "Last Girls at the Party" that'll make you want to jump around and dance to their breezy, energetic new track off their upcoming third album, No Hard Feelings, due August 2025.
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Halsey is doing things her way on their recent single, "Safeword," a kink-friendly punk-rock track with an earworm-y chorus, "I don't gotta listen to you, you're not the boss of me!" It's the perfect rebellious track to blast at full volume while driving down a highway with the windows down.
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The first time you hear "Whiplash" by aespa, you'll want to run it back. The K-pop girl group mashed together roaring synths with a four-on-the-floor electronic beat that flawlessly blends with their breathy, confident vocals.
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Can we all agree to never talk about "Friday" again? Rebecca Black has been making some of the best hyperpop music we've seen in a while!
The 27-year-old singer is carving space for herself in the electronic music scene with her last two albums — her debut album in 2023, Let Her Burn, and Starvation, which came out in February of this year. On her latest project, she has a track called "Twist the Knife" that makes you wish you were hearing it outside, dancing around with your closest friends.
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- YouTube
In March, Lil Nas X released an EP called Days Before Dreamboy, which features one of his best songs of his career, "HOTBOX." The song samples "Frontin'" by Pharrell and Chad Hugo (a.k.a. The Neptunes) and features some of Nas X's best rapping over a bouncy, playful beat.
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- YouTube
Ceechyna is new to the music industry. But with only three songs out, she's clearly made her mark. In December 2024, the 21-year-old drill rapper from the UK released her biggest song, "Peggy." The British blends her humor and wit into a song about "pegging a man at the back of the bus."
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- YouTube
This is my long shot, but this disco-inspired track by former Little Mix member Jade is the perfect summer bop. She worked with David LaChapelle on a music video, and with his signature sheen, she can be seen playing a disco diva Barbie and taking elements from the 1976 film Carrie and Soul Train. The former girl group member is the last of her bandmates to release solo music and is gearing up for her debut solo album, THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY, due out in September.
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Dominican rapper Yailin may not identify as queer, but her song "Bing Bong," was definitely made with the girls and gays in mind. Her song, which has over 210 million views on YouTube and over 99 million streams on Spotify, perfectly blends two dynamic Latin genres, Brazilian funk, and Dominican dembow, to create an addictive summer track.
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