Top 7 Songs of the Summer 2024
As the summer of 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to look back on the songs that dominated the airwaves, topped the charts, and captured the hearts of music lovers everywhere. From pop sensations to country crooners, each of these seven tracks has left an indelible mark on the music landscape this summer.
1. Chappell Roan: "Good Luck, Babe!"
Having just hit its chart peak of No. 2 this week, almost a year after its initial release, Roan’s exuberantly hook-filled album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" is the definition of a sleeper hit. Bolstered by word-of-mouth raves and widely shared videos of Roan’s triumphant summer festival performances, the album is a testament to the power of organic build-up. If this song is a harbinger for Roan’s next LP, the future is certainly bright.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
2. Shaboozey: "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"
If you want to go purely by data, you could argue that the Song of the Summer is whatever hit spends the most weeks of the season at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. By that measure, it would either be this bittersweet foot-stomper from the country-pop upstart Shaboozey or Post Malone’s "I Had Some Help." Either way, lightly reckless pop-country drinking songs clearly have a hold on the culture.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
3. Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen: "I Had Some Help"
… or this ode to friends in low places by a pair of established stars. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and "I Had Some Help" have each spent six weeks atop the Hot 100, though next week’s charts could declare a tiebreaker. Either way, lightly reckless pop-country drinking songs clearly have a hold on the culture.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
4. Kendrick Lamar: "Not Like Us"
Though Lamar took quite a few swipes at his rival Drake this year, including his fiery verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s "Like That" and the scathing diss track "Euphoria," this DJ Mustard-produced banger was the one that really… struck a chord.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
5. Tommy Richman: "Million Dollar Baby"
Take it from Chappell Roan and Shaboozey: Sometimes the strongest case for a Song of the Summer contender is seemingly-out-of-nowhere success. After listeners were teased with snippets of the intoxicating electro-R&B tune "Million Dollar Baby" on TikTok in April, the single debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 — only the sixth time in history that an artist without any prior chart history debuted in the Top 2.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
6. Charli XCX: "Apple"
We cannot discuss the music and culture of this year without admitting that, yes, summer 2024 IS brat. Charli XCX’s buzzy, slime-green-hued sixth studio album produced a handful of S.o.t.S. contenders, like the catchphrase generator "360," the surprising, descriptively named remix "The Girl, So Confusing Version With Lorde," or the song that soundtracked a million fan edits, "365." My choice, though, is the deliriously catchy "Apple," which spawned a TikTok dance craze so omnipresent and so invitingly easy that, I confess, even I know how to do it. That’s saying something.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
7. Camilo: "Vida y Llena"
Rounding out our top 7 is Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo, who’s been making waves with his fusion of Latin rhythms and pop melodies. "Vida y Llena" is a standout track from his 2024 album "Por Primera Vez," featuring lyrics that celebrate the beauty of life’s little moments.
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube
Conclusion
These seven songs represent the best of summer 2024’s musical output, from the catchy hooks to the dance-worthy beats. Whether you’re a country fan, a pop enthusiast, or simply looking for something new to add to your playlist, there’s something on this list for everyone.
FAQs
Q: How did you choose these songs?
A: Our team of music experts and contributors carefully curated this list based on factors like chart performance, streaming data, and cultural impact.
Q: What other songs could have made this list?
A: There were many great tracks that just missed the cut, from Charli XCX’s album "The Girls" to Olivia Rodrigo’s "Traitor" or Taylor Swift’s "Lavender Haze." If you have a favorite song that didn’t make the list, let us know in the comments!
Q: Can I listen to these songs on other platforms?
A: Absolutely! Most of these songs are available on a variety of music streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Enjoy!
