What Will Be The 2026 Song of The Summer?
By Keeley Rissman
Every year as the weather gets warmer, the school year ends, and the beaches open, an annual cultural tradition comes into play. The Song of the Summer is the title given to the most popular songs of the summer season. With “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter having climbed up the charts in 2024 and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” rocking 2025, people have started to wonder what new hit will represent 2026. So, what are the contenders for 2026’s Song of The Summer?
Starting off the list is “Stateside” by Zara Larson and Pinkpantheress. This song has stood out this year with its catchy beat and social media popularity. Its fame started with Alyssa Liu’s Olympic performance which imprinted the tune into the minds of people worldwide.
Olivia Rodrigo’s “drop dead” is the next contender. With Olivia’s next album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” coming June 12th, the hit single has risen in popularity. Olivia has kept fans on their toes with a jaw-dropping performance on Saturday Night Live and various social media teasers. With no doubt this album will be a hit this summer, and “drop dead” has enormous potential to become the next Song of The Summer.
The next hit on my list is “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley. This country beat has quickly topped the Billboard charts. While naming a country track Song of The Summer is a stretch, this hit’s rising popularity shows that it is gaining influence.
And finally, “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larson is in the running for becoming the next Song of the Summer. With Larson gaining popularity through her “Stateside” hit and “Symphony” being a TikTok phenomenon in 2024, Zara Larson has really started to take off in the past few months. “Midnight Sun” shows potential for being the next summer song with it’s upbeat tempo and genuine “summer vibes”
While the world can name the Song of The Summer, the true song is the one YOU listen to the most. What will your Song of The Summer be for 2026?
Sources:
Coates, Alexa. “Old and New Battle for 2024 “Song of the Summer.”” The Sentinel, 2024, deeprunsentinelonline.org/6204/entertainment/old-and-new-battle-for-2024-song-of-the-summer/. Accessed 26 May 2026.
Sahakian, Lori Der. “Song of the Summer 2026 – the Top Contenders Heating up the Charts.” Funktasy, 26 Apr. 2026, funktasy.com/pop-music/song-of-summer-2026/. Accessed 26 May 2026.
