Tag: Songs of Summer

Dance to Summer Playlists From TODAY Anchors and Catch Their Song of Summer Predictions

July 31, 2023

Summer is well underway, and people across the northern hemisphere are busy soaking up the sunshine. Whether you’re taking time at the beach, pool, mountains, or simply your patio, there’s no better way to set the scene than with music.

The anchors of NBC’s TODAY, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Carson Daly, and Craig Melvin, know how to start weekdays off right at 7 am. And they all share a passion for music—especially live music, thanks to their annual Citi Concert series on TODAY. Recent musical guests on the show include the Jonas Brothers, Ed Sheeran, Niall Horan, KAROL G, and TWICE. 

Away from the Rockefeller Center set, each anchor has their own summer plans and a playlist to help soundtrack their long sunny days. And because they’re always talking trends, talent, and takes, we asked them to share their thoughts on the hottest hits rising this summer. Find their predictions and playlists below, as well as on their TODAY profiles on Spotify.

Hoda’s Hybrid Dance Party–Wave-Watching Mix

Hoda Kotb’s playlist takes a more relaxed, slowly-swaying-in-the-summer-heat feel, with Luke Combs’ cover of “Fast Car,” “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest, and “Love and Sunsets” by Zac Brown Band and James Taylor all queued up. 

What’s the vibe you’re trying to capture on your Songs of Summer playlist?  

Part “party at night”—with sweaty dancing with the kids, on the back porch, or on the beach—and part mellow—watching the waves, feeling all the feels, asking summer to politely slow down. There are some songs that are just toes in the sand, eyes closed, sun in your face, and some that are “get up and dance.”

What’s your favorite throwback song on your playlist?

I have two. My favorite throwback is “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest. Since the  beginning of my life, it has been my favorite song. There’s something about the imagery of it. Picture it: You’re on your back porch dancing and the moon is shining on the water. I’ve also gotten my kids to love “Dancing in the Moonlight,” so I already handed it down. It reminds me of being a kid, so to watch my kids dance around to it is pretty magical.  

The other one I love is “Fast Car,” the Luke Combs version of Tracy Chapman’s song. Every time I play it, I get a big smile on my face. It’s one of those full-blast songs and it reminds me of being younger and also right now. It reminds me of having the windows down in the car, the wind blowing through, and being on my way to somewhere cool. 

Share a top summer music memory?

For me, it’s the fact that we get so many concerts all summer long, live. There’s something magical about live concerts, and they’re so intimate at The Today Show because it’s a small venue. We get to have live music on the plaza at The Today Show all summer long. Artists are rehearsing in the heart of midtown Manhattan and there’s incredible music. 

What’s your prediction for top song of summer? 

“Fast Car” because it crosses over both generations and genres. 

Savannah’s Breezy, No-Stress Summer Playlist

Savannah Guthrie’s playlist includes a summery hit from the Jonas Brothers’ 2023 album, tracks from Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan, and plenty of remixes and radio edits sure to get you in a dancing mood. 

What’s the vibe you’re trying to capture on your Songs of Summer playlist?  

I was trying to capture an easy, breezy, peppy vibe. No stress, light, with some good dance music mixed in. 

What’s your favorite throwback song on your playlist?

Well, I don’t know if it’s a throwback, but “Harvest Moon” is an old song by Neil Young and I love this version of “Harvest Moon” by Poolside that sounds like it should be playing at a pool party in Miami. It has little “untz,  untz, untz.” So it’s kind of a throwback song but with a modern twist.  

Share a top summer music memory? 

One of my favorite summer memories was listening to the soundtrack of Grease blasting so loud through the neighborhood that our neighbors who lived probably seven houses down could hear it from their backyard. And my sister and I would stand on the wall singing the lyrics to Grease and then the neighbor kids would be singing them right back to us.  

What’s your prediction for the top song of summer?  

“Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)” by Rema. It’s on my list. I love it. And it’s also my message to my kids right before bedtime—calm down!

Al’s R&B Summer Singalong

Al Roker’s playlist will have you feeling all your R&B feels. He included classics like “September” from Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as prime singalong tracks from Whitney Houston and Pharell, alongside nostalgic tunes from Aretha Franklin, The O’Jays, and Elton John.

What’s the vibe you’re trying to capture in your Songs of Summer playlist? 

Upbeat music that you can sing along to while hanging with family and friends, and everyone  knows the words and can sing together! 

What’s your favorite throwback song on your playlist?

“Philadelphia Freedom.” It was my song sophomore year of college. Also, summertime is all about celebrating freedom, so it’s the perfect summer anthem.  

Share a top summer music memory?

My birthday is in August. One year, it fell during the Beijing Olympics and we were doing  karaoke late at night with the whole Today Show team.  

What’s your prediction for the top song of the summer? 

“Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa. It was a hit in the Barbie movie!

Carson’s No-Skips Summer Sounds

Despite track selections from Twenty One Pilots, The 1975, and Tame Impala, Carson Daly’s playlist isn’t solely an indie rock extravaganza. Catch a collaboration between The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, and Madonna, and the unmistakable summer sounds of Bob Marley.

What’s the vibe you’re trying to capture on your Songs of Summer playlist? 

A playlist you can pop on at a summer BBQ and just let it roll. There’s something for everyone. 

What’s your favorite throwback song on your playlist?

My favorite is “Gin & Juice” by Snoop Dogg, which came out the year I turned 21. It’s not only a classic song but a delicious fruity drink, great for summer. 

Share a top summer music memory? 

I have great memories of listening to Bob Marley while hanging on the beach in Santa Monica and Malibu as a kid. Surfing, skating, and just chilling out!  

What’s your prediction for the top song of the summer?  

I loved “Calm Down” this summer—music is great for my anxiety and panic disorder. That one really delivers. Literally calms me down!  

Craig’s Easy-Breezy Outdoor Jams

Finally, Craig Melvin’s feel-good playlist brings together soothing vibes from across the decades. Tune in for tracks from Marvin Gaye, Beyoncé, The Isley Brothers, and Childish Gambino, as well as a reminder to “Take It Easy” from the Eagles. 

What’s the vibe you’re trying to capture in your Songs of Summer playlist?

I wanted a nice mix of new and older. I wanted a mix of genres. So you’ll notice there’s some country in there, you’ll notice there’s some pop. You’ll also notice what I call “classic cookout songs” like Beyoncé, the version of “Before I Let Go,” like that classic Maze & Frankie Beverly track. I also added The Gap Band, Marvin Gaye, and the Isley Brothers—outstanding. I wanted to make sure that there was something for me and my kids, but also my parents as well.

What’s your favorite throwback song on your playlist?

Probably Marvin Gaye, “Got to Give It Up.” It’s one of those songs that I remember from when I was a kid. We’d have cookouts in the backyard—aunts, uncle, cousins—they’d all jam out to that and it’s a timeless summer song. I feel like it can be on that summer playlist literally every summer.

Share a top summer music memory?

A few years ago, I was doing a profile with my buddy Darius Rucker and he invited me to sing one of my all-time favorite songs, “Let Her Cry,” with him onstage during soundcheck, and I nearly cried. 

What’s your prediction for the top song of summer?

That’s an easy one. It’s going to be “Fast Car” by Luke Combs. I’m generally not a fan of classic remakes, and when I heard that he touched Tracy Chapman’s song, at first I was like, “Uhh,” and then when I listened I was like, “Ohh yeah.” It’s great too because it gives the original version a whole new life as well. I explained to someone recently that while it’s not really a happy summer song, it’s a great song nonetheless. It’s definitely going to be the song of the summer.

Can’t get enough summer serenades? Catch the hottest tracks around the world and Spotify’s own list of Songs of Summer predictions.

Turn It Up: Our Songs of Summer Predictions Plus the Hottest Summer Trends

June 7, 2023

a graphic pink and yellow visual depicting clouds, the sun, hills, and an umbrella

From the dance floor to sandy beaches, people are celebrating the start of summer with sultry songs and temperature-raising tracks—and Spotify is getting right into the mix with our annual Songs of Summer predictions and trends. But first, let’s check out what listeners are streaming around the world.

Tracking the hottest global streams

To help visualize what’s hot worldwide, we’ve created a map that highlights the most popular tunes in more than 100 countries across the Northern Hemisphere. The map will update weekly, starting May 27, to show the latest sizzling tracks from different countries.

Click the white dots on the map below to see what’s trending in far-off destinations. 

Fique por dentro das Top Músicas de Verão no Brasil

March 24, 2023

No Brasil, o verão é aquele período para aproveitar o calor e as altas temperaturas, mas não só isso. De dezembro a março, é a época para celebrar grandes feriados como Natal, Ano Novo e Carnaval. E para curtir ainda mais esses momentos, os fãs de música em todo o país se jogaram no Spotify para criar a trilha sonora perfeita! 

Durante toda a estação, os brasileiros escutaram uma combinação inacreditável de músicas, ritmos cheios de energia e músicas que poderão se tornar futuros clássicos para alguns artistas do país. Agora, com o fim do verão, analisamos de perto dos dados de consumo desses usuários na plataforma para descobrir quais faixas se destacaram como as Músicas do Verão no Brasil

Destaque para “Leão” de Marília Mendonça – que reforçou ainda mais o legado da artista como além da Rainha da Sofrência, a agora  “Rainha do Verão”. Confira os 10 hits que os brasileiros mais escutaram no Spotify neste verão: 

  1. “Leão” – Marília Mendonça 
  2. “Bombonzinho – Ao Vivo” – Ana Castela, Israel & Rodolffo  
  3. “Eu Gosto Assim – Ao Vivo” – Gustavo Mioto, Mari Fernandez 
  4. “Evoque Prata” – DJ ESCOBAR, MC MENOR HR, MC MENOR SG  
  5. “Zona De Perigo” – Leo Santana  
  6.  “Coração de Gelo” – WIU
  7. “Roça Em Mim” – Ana Castela, Luan Pereira, Zé Felipe 
  8. “Haja Colírio – Ao Vivo” – Guilherme & Benuto, Hugo & Guilherme
  9. “Agudo Mágico 3” – Dj Aurélio, Dj TG Beats, MC K.K, MC Lipivox 
  10.  “Pactos – Ao Vivo” – Matheus & Kauan, Jorge & Mateus 

Outros Top Artistas que se destacaram no país são: MC Ryan SP, Henrique & Juliano, Gusttavo Lima, e Maiara & Maraisa. Mas também acompanhamos algumas tendências interessantes da estação.

Sertanejo lidera as músicas mais ouvidas no Verão no Spotify 

A música sertaneja, um gênero originário das áreas rurais do Brasil,  se destacou mais do que qualquer outro gênero no país nestes últimos meses. Outros ritmos populares do verão são: funk carioca, arrocha e o dance pop. 

Brasileiros amam criar suas playlists de verão

O número de playlists criadas no Brasil com a palavra verão ou summer no título foi 43% maior do que no verão passado. Mesmo com o início de temperaturas mais amenas, o clima certamente vai continuar esquentando à medida que os brasileiros passem por 2023. Para aqueles que querem manter o ritmo de alegria com os sucessos brasileiros, confira nossas playlist Top Brasil e VERÃO 2023.

Turn Up the Heat With Brazil’s Top Songs of Summer

March 23, 2023

Summer in Brazil is a time for enjoying sunshine and warm weather, but that’s only the start. Running from December to March, it’s also a time to celebrate holidays like Christmas, New Years, and Carnival. And as the festivities unfolded this year, music fans across the country turned to Spotify to soundtrack the fun.

Throughout the season, listeners in Brazil streamed a diverse blend of laid-back sounds, high-energy anthems, and future classics from some of the country’s top artists. Now that the season is over, we took a closer look at our data to find out which tracks emerged as Brazil’s Songs of Summer.

Headlined by Marília Mendonça’s “Leão”—which solidified the late singer’s legacy as the “Queen of Verão”—these are the 10 hits that Brazilians streamed the most on Spotify this summer: 

  1. “Leão” – Marília Mendonça 
  2. “Bombonzinho – Ao Vivo” – Ana Castela, Israel & Rodolffo  
  3. “Eu Gosto Assim – Ao Vivo” – Gustavo Mioto, Mari Fernandez 
  4. “Evoque Prata” – DJ ESCOBAR, MC MENOR HR, MC MENOR SG  
  5. “Zona De Perigo” – Leo Santana  
  6.  “Coração de Gelo” – WIU
  7. “Roça Em Mim” – Ana Castela, Luan Pereira, Zé Felipe 
  8. “Haja Colírio – Ao Vivo” – Guilherme & Benuto, Hugo & Guilherme
  9. “Agudo Mágico 3” – Dj Aurélio, Dj TG Beats, MC K.K, MC Lipivox 
  10.  “Pactos – Ao Vivo” – Matheus & Kauan, Jorge & Mateus 

Other top artists who helped create a vibe across the country include MC Ryan SP, Henrique & Juliano, Gusttavo Lima, and Maiara & Maraisa. But we also noticed a couple of other notable trends from the season.

Sertanejo leads the most-listened-to Songs of Summer on Spotify 

Música sertaneja, a genre originating from the rural areas of Brazil, generated the most Spotify streams of any genre in Brazil during the summer months. Other popular genres from this time period include funk carioca, arrocha, and dance pop. 

Brazilians loved creating summer playlists

The number of Spotify playlists created in Brazil that contain “summer” or “verão” in the title increased by 43%, compared to summer 2022.

Even as the weather cools, the mood is sure to continue as Brazilians make their way through 2023. For those who want to keep the party going with the hits of Brazil, check out our playlists Top Brasil and VERÃO 2023. 

 

The Top Songs of Summer 2022 Reveal a Return to Dance and Nostalgia

August 31, 2022

Songs of Summer on a fun colored background

Summer 2022 is coming to an end, but the music that soundtracked the past few months of longer days, road trips, festivals, and pool parties is sure to reverberate into the rest of the year. So before you toss those flip-flops to the back of the closet, let’s celebrate the listening trends that brought the heat this summer. 

Top Songs of Summer 

Back in June, Spotify predicted some of the songs that would soundtrack the summer months to come. Now it’s time to reveal what listeners were blasting between May 29 and August 29, 2022. 

Topping the global list with more than 610M streams over the last three months alone is none other than Harry Styles’ hit “As It Was.” It also claimed the top spot in 24 countries around the world including Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates.

The global runner-up and top track in the U.S. this summer is Kate Bush’s now-viral song from 1985, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” which became popularized after being featured prominently in the latest season of Netflix’s Stranger Things. It’s one of the most retro tracks to make it onto Spotify’s Songs of Summer list—37 years after its release. Fans born after the song was originally released are discovering it, with first-time streams from U.S. Gen Zs (aka listeners aged 24 and under) increasing over 7,800% since being featured on the show.

Bad Bunny dominated both the top global and U.S. Songs of Summer lists with tracks like “Me Porto Bonito,” “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Ojitos Lindos,” and “Efecto” off his latest album, Un Verano Sin Ti. “Me Porto Bonito,” in particular, is the Song of the Summer in 14 Latin American countries including Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

It wouldn’t be summer without some brand-new hot girl anthems like Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” and Doja Cat’s “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS),” which both landed in the U.S. Top 20 Songs of Summer list. And around the globe, “About Damn Time” and “Vegas” were the top two tracks most frequently added to user-generated hot girl summer playlists on Spotify.

Like what you hear? From sped-up songs to country classics, even more trends have made summer 2022 musically unique, and Spotify’s music editors are tracking their ebbs and flows across genres. Check out what trends our editors across Pop, Dance, Indie, and U.S. Latin had to say.

If you’re looking for more where that came from, check out our editor-curated Summer Hits, Summer Dance Hits, Indie Sunshine, and Verano Forever playlists—plus stream our Songs of Summer playlist below. 

Hot Podcasts of Summer

Whether it was superhero stories, throwback TV commentary, behind-the-scenes anime, or your daily dose of the news, Spotify listeners also tuned into podcasts to stay entertained and in the know this summer. Listeners dove into  . . . 

  • Batman Unburied. The early-summer sensation from Spotify, Warner Bros., and DC is a psychologically thrilling take on the Caped Crusader that took the world by storm. The series, which was adapted into multiple languages, was a hit around the globe and rose to the top of Spotify’s podcast charts in 17 markets worldwide.
  • TV Nostalgia. This summer, the cast of Pod Meets World took fans back in time by rewatching episodes of Boy Meets World and sharing memories and behind-the-scenes moments from the iconic series. Meanwhile, on Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen, Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Coletti rewatch Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County for the first time in 18 years. The former sweethearts relive their high school experiences, break down the truth of what happened on and off camera, and share what really happened in Cabo. Both shows have found places at the top of the trending podcasts on Spotify’s summer charts. 
  • SPYxFAMILY. A breakout Spotify Original that came out of Japan, the podcast was released alongside SPYxFAMILY Anime, the anime adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series of the same name. The podcast series, hosted by one of the show’s voice actors, takes fans behind the scenes of SPYxFAMILY, going in-depth on the anime’s backstory and giving insights into each episode. The series has topped the podcast charts in Japan, holding the number one spot for more than a month.
  • The Journal. Every day of the summer (and throughout the year, for that matter), Kate Linebaugh, Ryan Knutson, and the team at The Wall Street Journal take you inside the most important stories, explained through the lens of business. In for a special summer treat? Make sure to check out The Journal’s special three-part series, Hack Me If You Can, published in June.

 

 

Find the complete Songs of Summer top lists below. 

 

 

Spotify’s most-streamed songs of summer globally:

  1. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  2. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush
  3. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone
  4. “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny
  5. “Glimpse of Us” by Joji
  6. “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny, Bomba Estéreo
  7. “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” by Bizarrap, Quevedo
  8. “Efecto” by Bad Bunny 
  9. “Moscow Mule” by Bad Bunny
  10. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  11. “PROVENZA” by KAROL G
  12. “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
  13. “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
  14. “Party” by Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro
  15. “Te Felicito” by Shakira, Rauw Alejandro
  16. “STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber
  17. “Tarot” by Bad Bunny, Jhay Cortez
  18. “Bam Bam (feat. Ed Sheeran)” by Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran
  19. “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix” by Elton John, Dua Lipa, PNAU
  20. “I Ain’t Worried” by OneRepublic

Spotify’s most-streamed songs of summer in the U.S.:

  1. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush
  2. “As It Was” by Harry Styles
  3. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone
  4. “Glimpse of Us” by Joji
  5. “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny
  6. “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy
  7. “Jimmy Cooks (feat. 21 Savage)” by Drake, 21 Savage
  8. “I Like You (A Happier Song) (with Doja Cat)” by Post Malone, Doja Cat
  9. “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
  10. “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
  11. “First Class” by Jack Harlow
  12. “WAIT FOR U (feat. Drake & Tems)” by Future, Drake, Tems
  13. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
  14. “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS)” by Doja Cat
  15. “Efecto” by Bad Bunny 
  16. “Moscow Mule” by Bad Bunny
  17. “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny, Bomba Estéreo
  18. “You Proof” by Morgan Wallen
  19. “I Ain’t Worried” by OneRepublic
  20. “Party” by Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro

*All data was compiled between May 29 and August 29, 2022.

Grab Your Sunnies and Celebrate With Our Songs of Summer Predictions

June 6, 2022

a hot pink inner tube sitting on top of a cartoon splash of water

The sun is out, the weather is warm, and it’s time to find the perfect song to pair with that umbrella in your drink. Every year as summer rolls around, the Spotify music editorial team scours all the hottest new tracks to determine which will dominate your speakers as the quintessential Songs of Summer. So apply your sunscreen, grab those shades, and get ready for our global Songs of Summer predictions for 2022. 

Again this year, the songs that speak to long hazy summer days, beach trips, and cool drinks span many genres—hip-hop, Latin, pop, country, indie, dance, and more—as well as moods, so there’s a song for every moment. 

As you’re planning the next summer soiree, might we suggest adding “As It Was” by Harry Styles and “Big Energy” by Latto to your queue? Or cranking up “Ojitos Lindos” by Bad Bunny (feat. Bomba Estéreo) when you’re hanging poolside? How about pressing play on Post Malone and Doja Cat‘s new track “I Like You (A Happier Song)” as you kick off your vacation road trip?

And there’s more where those came from. Without further ado, Spotify’s Songs of Summer 2022 predictions, in alphabetical order:

To determine this list of songs, which we predict will be on repeat over the next three months, our curation teams pay attention to a number of factors, including the track’s current trajectory and cultural impact, combined with forecasting based on prior years’ knowledge of what tends to pop throughout the summer. But we also took this moment to see what other summer trends are emerging as people start to enjoy more fun in the sun.

The temperature is rising on these summer trends

Summer is a time to shed layers and get out in the sun—we all know about 2019’s viral “hot girl summer” moment. Now, there are nearly 170,000 “hot girl summer” user-generated playlists on Spotify worldwide. And this year, we’re already seeing new seasonal themes emerge.

User-generated “feral girl summer” playlists have surged more than 320% in the past three months.  Some of the top-added songs include “Psycho” by Maisie Peters, “Get Into It (Yuh)” by Doja Cat, “Thot Shit” by Megan Thee Stallion, “I Did Something Bad” by Taylor Swift, “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado (feat. Timbaland), and “Act Up” by City Girls.

Searches for “coconut girl summer” have surged nearly 950% this year, with top-added songs for these playlists including “Island in the Sun” by Weezer, “Diet Mountain Dew” by Lana Del Rey, “Santeria” by Sublime, “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus, and “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley & The Wailers. 

The “coastal grandmother” trend is buzzing on Spotify as well—average daily plays of related playlists have skyrocketed nearly 5,000% over the last month!

a graphic design that's yellow, blue and green that lists songs that make up coastal grandmother playlists on Spotify

And when it comes to the drink of summer, some fans think that Dirty Shirleys are in. That seems to be true on Spotify—”dirty shirley” user-generated playlists saw nearly a 95% spike in average daily plays over the past month.

Makin’ a splash

We’re bringing back the Songs of the Summer chart for the second year in a row, so you can keep track of your favorite artists all summer long and see whose hits are climbing as the temperature rises. Follow @SpotifyCharts on Instagram and Twitter to catch the latest Songs of the Summer chart published every Wednesday, starting this week on June 8, 2022.

Grab your favorite ice-cold beverage—whether it’s a cool lemonade or a Dirty Shirley—and listen to our full Songs of Summer playlist below. And as we know, all good things come to an end—including summer. Check back here as the weather cools to learn which song was crowned the most-streamed song of the summer.

Spotify’s Top Songs and Podcasts of Summer 2021

August 24, 2021

Another summer has flown by, and with it, the songs and shows that have complimented countless beach days, park hangs, pool lounging, and road trips. Now, as August draws to a close, Spotify is once again announcing the top songs and podcasts that filled listeners’ headphones and speakers this season. 

Songs of the summer

With more than 600 million streams globally between May 29 and August 22, this year’s Spotify Song of the Summer is…  “good 4 u” by “drivers license” breakout star Olivia Rodrigo. 

“good 4 u” claimed the top spot globally, and it also topped the list in markets like the U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, the U.K., South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. And since the song’s release on May 14, “good 4 u” has been added to more than 18 million playlists. It also served as the inspiration for more than 325,000 user-generated playlist titles, including: 1,500+ “like a damn sociopath” playlists and 700+ “happy and healthy” playlists.

The next four of the global top five songs took us on a journey around the world. Number two globally was Eurovision winner Måneskin’s “Beggin’.” And since everything about this list is thanks to everything about you and how you listen, “Todo De Ti” by Rauw Alejandro was all in for number three. 

Lil Nas X was another summer mainstay for listeners, with “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” calling itself fourth on the list, and Doja Cat and SZA’s collab on “Kiss Me More,” which kept the summer sizzling, rounded out fifth place.

Spotify’s 2021 Summer Song Predictions Are Here

June 29, 2021

We’ve been counting the days, and summer has finally arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. As parts of the world begin opening up for outdoor concerts and backyard barbecues, this is sure to be a season dominated by feel-good jams and odes to a fresh start. 

Spotify’s global curation team has been hard at work reviewing streaming numbers, analyzing current track trajectory, and peering into crystal balls—all in service of forecasting what songs may feature heavily on your playlists this summer.

Grab your sunscreen and headphones. Here, in no particular order, are Spotify’s official Songs of Summer predictions:

Ready to bask in the sunshine to a new soundtrack? Stream Spotify’s Songs of Summer playlist.

The Most-Streamed Songs and Podcasts of Summer 2020

August 25, 2020

The summer of 2020 was unique from the start, with celebrations like Pride and music festivals like Notting Hill Carnival taking place virtually for the first time. But as always, people turned to music and podcasts as lively, consistent sources for comfort and entertainment, both in person and apart. And most notably, they turned to “ROCKSTAR” by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, which soared to its spot as the most-streamed song of summer 2020.

With more than 380 million streams between June 1 and August 15, the track has been a mainstay on our global chart and is one of the year’s most-played songs on our flagship RapCaviar playlist. The track’s success is certainly not lost on DaBaby himself.

“I knew ROCKSTAR was going to be a hit while I was creating the record,” the rapper told Spotify. “But to watch the world make it into a global hit is an amazing feeling. God is great!”

Read on for more about the songs that dominated summer, plus, for the first time, the top podcasts. Finally, check out our new digital experience to help you feel some of the summer vibes you may have missed.

Sing along to the top songs of summer

Following DaBaby’s “Rockstar” is The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” which takes the slot for the second-most-streamed song this summer. It racked up just under 340 million streams between June 1 and August 15, and although it was released last November, it speaks to cities being “cold and empty.” In third place is SAINt JHN’s upbeat jam “Roses – Imanbek Remix,” which collected over 280 million streams and was added to many workout playlists.

Harry Styles infused plenty of flavor with “Watermelon Sugar,” which also landed in the top 5. Dua Lipa features twice in the top 20 with “Don’t Start Now” and “Break My Heart,” two tracks featured on the singer-songwriter’s album Future Nostalgia, which she released during quarantine. Ariana Grande also brought double trouble—in the best way possible—with her hit collaborations “Rain On Me” with Lady Gaga and “Stuck with U” with Justin Bieber. Scroll to see the full song list below. 

Get hooked on the top podcasts of summer 

It may have only launched three weeks ago, but that didn’t stop The Michelle Obama Podcast from becoming the top podcast of the summer with millions of listeners. The former first lady took to the mic to speak to listeners on topical themes such as identity, self-care, and family.  

Speaking of topical, listeners were clearly in the mood for plenty of news: NPR News Now and The Daily were the second- and third-most-popular podcasts based on number of listeners between June 1 and August 15. Other top shows include Call Her Daddy, TED Talks Daily, and Harry Potter At Home: Readings, as read by familiar voices like Daniel Radcliffe and Helena Bonham Carter. The mystery obsessed sunk their teeth into Crime Junkie, Last Podcast on the Left, and My Favorite Murder.

Dive into our new digital experience

Didn’t get to take the summer vacation of your dreams this year? Get transported—digitally—to somewhere summery with our new immersive experience, Wish You Were Here. You’ll be able to enjoy some of the season’s biggest hits overlaid with those summer sounds you may have missed: think crashing waves, a sizzling barbeque, or a crackling campfire.

Our 2020 Songs of Summer Predictions Have Arrived Along With Your Summer Rewind

June 23, 2020

Ahh, summer. Time for long days, warm nights, and outdoor adventures. While this year may look a little different in many parts of the world, one thing’s for sure: music will continue to be the backdrop for the best moments the season has to offer.

So what songs are most likely to soundtrack summer 2020? We turned to our global curation team to find out. They took a look into their crystal ball (a.k.a. current streaming numbers and trends) to come up with Spotify’s official Songs of Summer predictions. The songs that rack up the most streams by summer’s end will join the ranks of past top songs, including Drake’s “In My Feelings” and Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s “Señorita.”

Speaking of which—for those who are feeling a bit nostalgic for summer days gone by, we’re bringing back an oldie but goodie: Your Summer Rewind. This personalized playlist is comprised of songs listeners had on heavy rotation during previous summers.  

Songs of Summer Predictions

From hip-hop to indie, our 2020 Songs of Summer predictions have a little something for everyone.

Our list includes new hits like DaBaby’s “ROCKSTAR (feat. Roddy Ricch)” and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage Remix” (featuring Beyoncé), as well as older tracks like “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles, which was released in 2019 but remains a fan favorite. Plus, as the cultural conversation has shifted on ways to support the Black community, two songs in particular have made a comeback: “This is America” by Childish Gambino and “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar, both of which are likely to be on repeat all summer long.

And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. In no particular order, our list of summer 2020 predictions. 

Ready to get sunglass season started? Stream the official Songs of Summer playlist—which will update all summer long with the hottest hits—below.

Your Summer Rewind

Even if you can’t travel very far this summer, you can take a trip down memory lane with Your Summer Rewind playlist. For each user who has streamed songs during the summer in previous years, we’ve pulled together a personalized mix of past summer jams sure to send you daydreaming. Starting today, the playlist is available to Free and Premium listeners in the Northern Hemisphere on iOS and Android.

 

If you’re looking for even more music, or are new to Spotify this summer, we’ve got you covered like SPF 50 and a wide-brimmed hat. Check out our Summer Hub to find everything from Your Summer Rewind to a mix of the hottest playlists and podcasts to liven up your summer. Stay cool.