Song of the Summer: Who’s Calling the Tune?
The debate is on, folks! Who gets the final say in declaring the Song of the Summer? Should it be TikTok, which has crowned its summer anthems, or is it Spotify, which has released its five most-streamed tracks of the season?
TikTok kicked off the fray earlier this month, announcing its own picks for Song of the Summer, with Tommy Richman’s "MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS)" and Tinashe’s "Nasty" taking the top spots. Meanwhile, Spotify has just released its own lineup of summer jams, featuring Sabrina Carpenter’s viral hit "Espresso," Kendrick Lamar’s triumphant "Not Like Us," Billie Eilish’s "BIRDS OF A FEATHER," Chappell Roan’s "HOT TO GO!," and Shaboozey’s "A Bar Song (Tipsy)".
Spotify’s methodology is simple: a global music editorial team hand-picked these tracks, which represent the sounds and moments that defined summer 2024 for listeners across the Northern Hemisphere. Notable is that "Espresso" stands out with over one billion streams – the most of the chosen five.
Interestingly, both Spotify and TikTok lists show some overlap, with "Not Like Us" and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" appearing on both platforms. However, neither list includes tracks from Charli XCX’s culturally impactful album Brat – leaving some wondering if the music platform giants are missing out on this musical moment.
Ultimately, the debate of whose list reigns supreme remains for the ages. Do you agree with TikTok’s picks, or does Spotify have the pulse of the summer vibes on lock? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
