Every song of the summer from the past 49 years

Callie AhlgrimSep 4, 2024, 03:34 IST

Charli XCX, Shaboozey, and Katy Perry.Iggy Azalea/Shaboozey/Katy Perry/YouTube

Every year, music fans wonder which song will be crowned the "song of the summer."
Business Insider uses Billboard charts and streaming stats to determine the season's defining hit.

Anjelica Oswald contributed to a previous version of this article.

2024: "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" was released on April 12, 2024.Daniel Prakopcyk

2023: "Last Night" by Morgan Wallen

"Last Night" was released as a single on February 6, 2023.Morgan Wallen/YouTube

2022: "As It Was" by Harry Styles

"As It Was" was released on April 1, 2022.Harry Styles/YouTube

2021: "Good 4 U" by Olivia Rodrigo

"Good 4 U" was released on May 14, 2021.Olivia Rodrigo/YouTube

2020: "Rockstar" by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch

"Rockstar" was released on April 17, 2020.DaBaby/YouTube

2019: "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

The "Old Town Road" remix was released on April 5, 2019.Columbia Records

2018: "In My Feelings" by Drake

"In My Feelings" was released on July 10, 2018.Young Money Entertainment/Cash Money Records/YouTube

2017: "Despacito (Remix)" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber

"Despacito (Remix)" was released on April 17, 2017.LuisFonsiOfficial/YouTube

2016: "One Dance" by Drake featuring WizKid and Kyla

"One Dance" was released on April 5, 2016.Dana Edelson/NBC

2015: "Cheerleader" by OMI

"Cheerleader" was released in 2012 and the remix reached No. 1 in July 2015.YouTube/UltraMusic

2014: "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

"Fancy" was released on February 17, 2014.Iggy Azalea/YouTube

2013: "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell

"Blurred Lines" was released on March 26, 2013.YouTube/RobinThickeVEVO

2012: "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen

"Call Me Maybe" was released in 2011.YouTube/CarlyRaeJepsenVEVO

2011: "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock

"Party Rock Anthem" was released on March 8, 2011.YouTube/LMFAOVEVO

2010: "California Gurls" by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg

"California Gurls" was released on May 7, 2010.Katy Perry/YouTube

2009: "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas

"I Gotta Feeling" was released on May 21, 2009.YouTube/BlackEyedPeasVEVO

2008: "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry

"I Kissed a Girl" was released on April 28, 2008.YouTube/KatyPerryVEVO

2007: "Umbrella" by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

"Umbrella" was released on March 29, 2007.YouTube/RihannaVEVO

2006: "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland

"Promiscuous" was released on April 25, 2006.YouTube/NellyFurtadoVEVO

2005: "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey

"We Belong Together" was released on March 29, 2005.YouTube/MariahCareyVEVO

2004: "Confessions Part II" by Usher

"Confessions Part II" was released as a single on June 1, 2004.YouTube/UsherVEVO

2003: "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z

"Crazy in Love" was released on May 14, 2003.Beyoncé/YouTube

2002: "Hot In Herre" by Nelly

"Hot In Herre" was released on May 7, 2002.YouTube/NellyVEVO

2001: "U Remind Me" by Usher

"U Remind Me" was released on May 22, 2001.YouTube/UsherVEVO

2000: "Bent" by Matchbox Twenty

"Bent" was released as a single on July 4, 2000.YouTube/Matchbox Twenty

1999: "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera

"Genie in a Bottle" was released on May 11, 1999.YouTube/CAguileraVEVO

1998: "The Boy is Mine" by Brandy and Monica

"The Boy is Mine" was released on May 19, 1998.Brandy & Monica/YouTube

1997: "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112

"I'll Be Missing You" was released on May 23, 1997.Bad Boy Entertainment/YouTube

1996: "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" by Los Del Rio

"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" was released in 1995 and reached No. 1 in August 1996.Lionel Cironneau/AP Photo

1995: "Waterfalls" by TLC

"Waterfalls" was released as a single on May 29, 1995.TLCVEVO/YouTube

1994: "I Swear" by All-4-One

"I Swear" was released as a single on April 28, 1994.YouTube/All-4-One (Official channel)

1993: "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You" by UB40

"(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You" was released on May 10, 1993.Keystone, Fabrice Coffrini/AP Photo

1992: "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot

“Baby Got Back” was released on May 7, 1992.SirMixALotVEVO/YouTube

1991: "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams

"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" was released on June 18, 1991.BryanAdamsVEVO/YouTube

1990: "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey

"Vision of Love" was released on May 15, 1990.YouTube/MariahCareyVEVO

1989: "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx

"Right Here Waiting" was released on June 29, 1989.YouTube/RichardMarxVEVO

1988: "Roll With It" by Steve Winwood

"Roll With It" was released as a single on August 11, 1988.Pizzello/AP Photo

1987: "Alone" by Heart

"Alone" was released in May 1987.YouTube/HeartVEVO

1986: "Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna

"Papa Don't Preach" was released on June 11, 1986.YouTube/Warner Bros. Records

1985: "Shout" by Tears For Fears

"Shout" was released as a single on November 19, 1984.Mercury

1984: "When Doves Cry" by Prince

"When Doves Cry" was released on May 16, 1984.YouTube/Prince

1983: "Every Breath You Take" by The Police

"Every Breath You Take" was released on May 20, 1983.YouTube/ThePoliceVEVO

1982: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

"Eye of the Tiger" was released on May 31, 1982.YouTube/SurvivorVEVO

1981: "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield

"Jessie's Girl" was released in February 1981.YouTube/RickSpringfieldVEVO

1980: "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel

"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" was released on May 12, 1980.YouTube/billyjoelVEVO

1979: "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer

"Bad Girls" was released as a single on June 23, 1979.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

1978: "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb

"Shadow Dancing" was released in April 1978.AP

1977: "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb

"I Just Want to Be Your Everything" was released in April 1977.Ron Frehm/AP Photo

1976: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee

"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was released on June 21, 1976.YouTube/EltonJohnVEVO

1975: "One of These Nights" by The Eagles

"One of These Nights" was released on June 10, 1975.Rick Diamond/Getty Images

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