What is the summer song of 2024? Listen to our Spotify playlist

What is the song of summer?

If there could only be one, it would obviously be Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso, an absolutely tempting pastry whether you drink it steaming hot or on ice.

But of course there’s more than one. We live in a pop music universe where everyone has their own. And indeed, Bucks County native Carpenter has two all to herself, including her equally infectious “Please Please Please,” which has now overtaken “Espresso” on the pop charts.

So this commented Spotify playlist is just that. Not a ranking of SOTS candidates, but a playlist that mixes hits from well-known brands with quieter, more bittersweet mood pieces and features many Philly musicians in addition to Carpenter, such as Snacktime, Dr. Dog, Bilal and Best Bear.

Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”. Nonsensical, sweet and delicious. Isn’t that what summer pop is supposed to be? The cream of the Quakertown native’s hit has just the right amount of foam, as it is inspired by the pop R&B of the early 1980s. She plays the Wells Fargo Center on October 8.

Hozier: “Too sweet.” The tall, dark and soulful Irishman has a hit that’s every bit as good as his career-defining 2013 song “Take Me to Church.” The bassline grabs you, but what do the lyrics about the TSA mean?

Billie Eilish, “Lunch”. “I tried not to eat too much, you’re just so sweet.” Billie Eilish is at her most lustful on this tasty tidbit about “a craving, not a crush,” as she proclaims, “I could eat that girl for lunch.” She’s at Wells Fargo on October 5.

Charli XCX, “That girl so confusing.” Charli XCX has written many hits for other artists such as Icona Pop and Iggy Azalea, but now she has hit the mainstream with her very own brat. “The Girl, So Confusing” caused concern among fans as they felt it was an insult to Lorde, but she assures us that there is nothing wrong with this remix.

Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”. The victory lap that crowned Lamar’s rap battle, in which he made a reference to M. Night Shyamalan’s The sixth Sense, and then goes on to call Drake a “colonizer.”

Snack time, “Spaceluv.“The upbeat party band from Philly Horn evolves with their latest single, tending towards interplanetary Parliament-Funkadelic funk.

Sexyy Red, “Get it, Sexyy.” The St. Louis rapper, who made her breakthrough at the Roots Picnic, celebrates herself on We trust Sexyy. “Hair done, bills paid, catch me slipping in a Benz / I’m not looking for a man, not recruiting new friends.” Get it, Sexyy!

Dua Lipa, “French Exit”. Dua Lipa makes ghosting seem so reasonable in this film Radical optimism Song about the abrupt end of a relationship; it is a collaboration with Kevin Parker from the Australian psych-pop band Tame Impala.

Dr. Dog, “Filled with Love.” A single sung by Scott McMicken featuring M. Ward from the welcome return of Philly’s Dr. Dog, who have been on hiatus in 2021. The band returns with performances July 11 at the Queen in Wilmington and July 13 at the Mann Center, with an album due out July 19.

Cloud Nothings, “Last Summer”. Cloud Nothings are considered a Cleveland band because that’s where they originated. But bandleader Dylan Baldi lives in Philly, so we’ll claim him as ours, too. The title track of the indie rock trio’s excellent eighth album reminds us that summer won’t last forever.

Linda Thompson, “Lonely Travellers”. Tragically, Linda Thompson can no longer sing due to a condition called spasmodic dysphonia. For her album Proxy music, She let other people sing her songs. Her daughter Kami sings “Solitary Traveller” with lyrics that hit you right in the face: “I had a clear and true voice… I never held my wicked tongue in check / And now my voice is gone.”

Charley Crockett, “Lonely Man”. The successful country singer from Texas drives along a sun-drenched highway with this soulful song from his new album. 10 dollars, cowboy. On July 19th he will be at the Fillmore with Lee Fields.

Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”. The singer, rapper and Beyoncé collaborator from Virginia seems to have become successful overnight, but his new chart-topper, Where I was is not where I am going is actually his third album. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” interprets J-Kwon’s song “Tipsy” from 2004 as a country drinking song.

Beyoncé, “Ya Ya” This song from the Rodeo Chitlin Circuit samples Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” fools around with the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” and lets out its ya-ya’s in the style of Tina Turner. A quintessential American summer combination.

Fontaines DC, “Favorite.” The Dublin post-punk band that wowed NonComm this spring will be playing at the Fillmore in October. This sweet and sentimental single comes from romancedue on August 23rd.

Best Bear: “Fireworks”. In its 24-hour song challenge, WXPN-FM (88.5) gave contestants a day to write and record a song about “summer.” The winner will perform at the XPoNential Music Festival in September and receive other prizes, among other awards. The four finalists are Khalil Amaru, Mackenzie Johnson, Yuneer Gainz and Best Bear — the songwriter whose “Fireworks” is a charming song about driving down the AC Expressway to the coast where romance might be waiting.

Chappell Roan: “Good luck, baby!” The breakout synth-pop breakthrough for Kayleigh Rose Amstutz is a collaboration with Olivia Rodrigo producer Dan Nigro, RIYL and Roan’s 80s heroines Kate Bush and Cyndi Lauper.

Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen, “I had some help.” Who doesn’t Post Malone sing with? The country rapper can be heard all over Beyoncé’s “Levii’s Jeans” and Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight.” Now he also has a bromance with Morgan Wallen.

Ibibio Sound Machine: “You have to be who you are.” An anthem of self-confidence from the elegant British Afro-funk ensemble Pull on the rope.

Bilal, “Soul Sister”. Sultry, to say the least. A new version of the signature song of underrated Philly singer Bilal Oliver, by Live in the Glasshousewith Robert Glasper and Questlove.

” READ MORE: The biggest and best pop concerts of the summer include the Rolling Stones, Olivia Rodrigo, Missy Elliott and Bruce Springsteen

Vampire Weekend, “Capricorn”. Ezra Koenig explores the meaning of the zodiac signs, Only God stood above us. VW will be playing the man on September 28th.

Frances Quinlan, “Another Season”. A hit from the singer of the Philly band Hop Along. It runs in the credits of I saw the glow on television. Jane Schoenbrun’s horror film about troubled teenagers features a score by Philadelphia indie hero Alex G and is screening at the PFS Bourse.

Shangri-Las, “Out on the Streets”. Yes, this song, sung by the late great Mary Weiss, who died in January, was released in 1965. It is here on this list because of its central role in The Bikersthe new motorcycle film starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer and a first-class soundtrack from the 1960s, including “The Animals”, “Magic Sam”, “Bo Diddley” and “Muddy Waters”.

Jessica Pratt, “Life Is.” The “Be My Baby” drums on this high point of Pratt’s fine Here in the pitch reminiscent of the girl group sound of the ’60s. Pratt plays World Cafe Live on July 26 and returns for Making Time ∞ in September.

Margo Price and Mike Campbell, “Ways To Be Wicked.” Tom Petty and Heartbreakers guitarist Campbell wrote this gem for Lone Justice in the 1980s, and Price and Campbell revived it for Petty Country: A country tribute to Tom Pettywith Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton and George Strait.

MJ Lenderman, “She’s Leaving You.” The guitarist from North Carolina is an extremely talented songwriter. This single from the upcoming Fireworks Manning with Karly Hartzman from Wednesday and a funny song text about a sad Eric Clapton fan.

Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies.” Summer sadness, à la Lana Del Rey. Bryan describes the scenery of a funeral on this single from Great American bar scenewhich is out July 4th and can be previewed at McGlinchey’s, Bryan’s favorite downtown bar. He plays the Linc on August 6th and 7th.

Ariana Grande, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)”. Sad club music reminiscent of “Dancing On My Own” creator Robyn. Get your tissues out, sometimes you have to cry on the dance floor.