Songs of the Summer: 2024
This blog comes courtesy of Hal Leonard's music publication editor, Brittany McCorriston.
Summer is just around the corner, which means there is a plethora of new music to listen to on those hot, sunny days. From veterans like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to newcomers like Dasha, there's plenty of new music to go around. See below for a list of possible contenders:
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I Had Some Help, Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen)
Morgan Wallen took home the 2023 Song of the Summer with "Last Night." Is he poised to do it again? In this upbeat country hit, Post Malone and Morgan trade verses about breaking up and how both sides can play a role in a relationship's downfall.
we can’t be friends (wait for your love), Ariana Grande
Part of Ariana Grande's seventh studio album, eternal sunshine, "we can't be friends (wait for your love)" is an upbeat track exploring duplicity in relationships. The easy-to-remember lyrics, rise and fall in instrumentation, and standard verse-chorus structure are song elements that keep us coming back for more.
Beautiful Things, Benson Boone
A breakthrough hit for artist Benson Boone, "Beautiful Things" gained popularity on TikTok before reaching the Billboard Hot 100. The drop in instrumentation at the pre-chorus and gradual crescendo creates anticipation and momentum, which is then followed by an irresistible full band hit at the start of the chorus. The relatable lyrics led TikTok users to quickly take hold of the short, 16-second chorus, aiding the song's distribution and popularity.
Too Sweet, Hozier
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier obtains his first No. 1 hit with "Too Sweet." 10 years after "Take Me to Church," which peaked at No. 2, success is maybe a little too sweet. In an exclusive interview with Variety, Hozier explains, "It's a song about somebody who wants to self-destruct and get trashed! … I've written songs that definitely deal with more complicated, more difficult themes, for sure. But I guess it's something that's fun and immediate and doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's part of its appeal."
Compositionally, where most expect a gradual rise leading into and then peaking at the chorus, the opposite occurs, a rise followed by a sudden scale back in instrumentation. This break from the norm keeps things interesting and listeners coming back for more.
Training Season, Dua Lipa
Following in the footsteps of Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa left Easter egg clues leading up to the song's premiere at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. "Training Season" is a buoyant and upbeat electronic dance track you'll be partying to all summer long.
LUNCH, Billie Eilish
One of her most gusty songs to date, Billie Eilish explores her queer identity in the hit song "LUNCH." As part of her third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Billie continues to mature her musical style and explores themes of queerness and identity. Jam-packed with earworms like catchy guitar licks and side-chained synths, you'll hear something new with every listen.
Austin, Dasha
New to the scene, "Austin" is Dasha's first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100. The song has an irresistible groove, and line dancing to the chorus has become a popular dance trend on TikTok. Yet another country song to chart across the globe this year alongside "Texas Hold 'Em," "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," and "I Had Some Help," Dasha is another artist bringing country music to a mainstream audience and making waves in the industry.
Lose Control, Teddy Swims
Present on Billboard's Hot 100 for 41 weeks at the time of writing, Teddy Swims' "Lose Control" doesn't show signs of leaving anytime soon. Inspired by Motown and R&B, the song has a primarily acoustic instrumentation that packs a punch. With a challenging vocal that builds throughout, it's the type of song we all think we can sing, but few will do it justice.
Espresso, Sabrina Carpenter
Considered to be a top contender for the 2024 song of the summer, this catchy, laid-back tune is stuck in everyone's head. Artist Sabrina Carpenter premiered the song at Coachella, and it only grew from there. The song's virality on TikTok was likely aided by the strong following Sabrina had already built through her opening act performance live streams for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour.
Fortnight, Taylor Swift (feat. Post Malone)
It's been a busy year for Taylor Swift, with the worldwide Eras tour and her surprise double album, The Tortured Poets Department, released in March. To no one's surprise, Taylor broke records with all 31 songs from The Anthology debuting on the Billboard Hot 100, occupying the entire top 14 simultaneously for the first time in chart history. A collaboration with Post Malone and the album's opening song, "Fortnite," is a song of reminiscence, a recurring theme throughout the album.
Of course, the season is still young, and there are many artists slated to release new music in the upcoming months. So, what earworms will you be listening to all summer long?
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