Who Has This Year's Song of the Summer? These 10 Contenders Are Fighting for the Crown.

Yahoo

18-05-2025

Some might say that certain sounds define the season of warmer temps and staying outside. Let's face it—summer is only as good as the songs that play through our speakers on the way to the beach or boom through our rooftop hangs. I'm still hanging on to the feeling of listening to Lorde's 'Green Light' for the first time in 2017, or reliving my teen angst through Olivia Rodrigo's 'good 4 u' in 2021, which begs the question: who will bring fans that same cocktail of fearlessness, euphoria, and emotion in 2025?
While last year boasted massive hits in Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso,' Chappell Roan's 'Good Luck, Babe!' and Kendrick Lamar's infamous Drake diss track, 'Not Like Us,' stans are still scrambling to find 2025's song of the summer. While stars like Reneé Rapp and Addison Rae have new music on the way, others have already started their respective rollouts and proven that 2025 has already birthed some bangers. Ahead, find my personal top 10 contenders for 2025's song of the summer.If you haven't stumbled upon sombr's 'undressed' during your late-night FYP scroll, congratulations, you aren't chronically online! The indie-pop musician made a mark with his emotional track, on which he muses that he doesn't want to start a new relationship from scratch. And, before you judge, a situationship anthem can totally be the song of the summer (just ask Taylor Swift or Gracie Abrams).
See the original post on YoutubeThis lineup alone deserves every award imaginable. Whether you're pre-gaming a night out with your group chat or gearing up for a beach barbecue, 'Sticky' is the perfect adjective—and song—to capture the essence of summer. Tyler, The Creator never misses, and neither do GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne. These core four rappers bring a little bit of everything to the table, and believe it or not, that might be the perfect recipe to get anyone out of their seats and onto a dancefloor.
See the original post on YoutubeLast summer had folks claiming there was a 'lesbian renaissance' thanks to Chappell Roan's campy, drag-inspired pop. On the other side of the spectrum of queer women dropping bangers lies Young Miko. The Puerto Rican rapper has been on the scene for a minute (and even collaborated with fellow boricua hottie, Bad Bunny), and her rise is imminent thanks to her latest Lil Wayne-sampled track, 'WASSUP.' This has already on heavy rotation and will continue to be all summer long.
See the original post on YoutubeI'm the first person who loves to see a Florida girl winning, and Doechii has consistently slayed since she dropped 'Yucky Blucky Fruitcake' all those years ago. While 'NISSAN ALTIMA' was my personal song of summer 2024, I can't imagine this year without the multifaceted emcee's voice booming through my speakers. Her latest feature on The Weeknd and Playboi Carti's 'Timeless' brings a fresh spin to the standard track that dropped earlier this year, and every party that emerges this summer will definitely have this on its playlist.
See the original post on YoutubeI don't know if you heard Lady Gaga, but she said the category is 'Dance or Die.' She's back in full force on her seventh effort, Mayhem, as she revisits the disco-fueled dark pop that put her name on the map in the early aughts. While the album's second single, 'Abracadabra,' is a mainstream favorite reminiscent of her monster hit 'Bad Romance,' it's an obvious choice. If Gaga's headlining Coachella performance indicates which Mayhem track could take over our social feeds and radio waves alike, I have to go with 'Zombieboy.' Every person in that crowd moved their body one way or another, and I fear that's what this summer desperately craves.
See the original post on YoutubeEYEKONS, I have to admit that this one was a grower for me. As someone who ate up KATSEYE's 'Touch' and 'Debut'—and was even roped into learning the choreo by some of my best friends—'Gnarly' caught me completely off-guard. Its in-your-face, bombastic production is such a departure from the girlies' debut. But, just like their star power, the track is impossible to ignore. I haven't been able to stop myself from singing my latest vocal stim twice on the hour: 'Hottie, hottie like a bag of Takis / I'm the shit.'
Thanks to its instant virality, 'Gnarly' has found its way into the crevices of my brain, and I haven't been able to get it out. Something tells me most people won't be able to, either.
See the original post on YoutubeWe've officially survived the Lorde drought since 2021's Solar Power, and honestly, I only felt like summer started once I found myself perched in Washington Square Park waiting for her to preview this track. 'What Was That' promises the upbeat and unapologetic arrival of a Lorde that's evolved through Melodrama into new territories. It only makes me wonder what else she has up her sleeve, and how her upcoming album Virgin will amplify the voice of a generation (again).
See the original post on YoutubePinkPantheress said she wanted to make music for the clubs, so she did and dropped her mixtape, Fancy That. The electronic star is a force to be reckoned with, and her lead single 'Tonight' makes a Panic! at the Disco sample sound like a voguing track made for endless nights breaking a sweat on the dance floor. She even received a stamp of approval from the brat queen and fellow Brit, Charli XCX—who's down for a collab, by the way.
See the original post on YoutubeDoja Cat is slowly defrosting. Her upcoming album, Vie, marks her first full-length release since 2023's Scarlet, and fans are itching for more. The multifaceted rapper is no stranger to a hit, as her Grammy-winning collaboration with SZA, 'Kiss Me More,' was rightfully crowned the song of summer 2021. There's a chance that her (hopefully!) soon-to-be-released track, 'Jealous Type,' will take the reins, as proven by fans' reactions to her Marc Jacobs pre-fall campaign.
See the original post on YoutubeCharli XCX has always been ahead of the curve. Despite being released five years ago, 'party 4 u' is undeniably the song of summer 2025. The How I'm Feeling Now standout has seemingly taken on many different lives since it dropped in 2020, was featured in Bottoms's major fight scene in 2023, and gained traction this year thanks to a TikTok trend. As she comes off the high of last year's brat summer, her Gatsby-esque confessional keeps the party going.
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