Forget about Katy Perry and Taylor Swift’s feud: The biggest battle in music right now is the race to become 2017’s official song of the summer. It’s been a particularly competitive season this year, with a number of heavyweights (Kendrick Lamar’s Damn) and crowd-pleasers (Calvin Harris’s recent string of dance singles) all vying for the title. Now as the temperatures rise, so do the stakes, with new releases from pop superstars including Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Lorde. As we’ve officially entered the summer season, we decided to do an informal poll around the Vogue office and figure out which tracks are leading the pack. Below, a list of the top contenders for 2017’s Song of the Summer.
I've had SZA’s Ctrl album on repeat since it came out and honestly it's tough to pick just one song. “Supermodel” is probably my favorite right now, a trippy, summer heartbreak anthem that's made for daydreaming on the beach. —Chioma Nnadi, Fashion News Director
Selena Gomez’s “Bad Liar” 100%. It is moody pop that makes you want to dance and sing along at the top of your lungs. She samples Talking Heads's “Psycho Killer” and David Byrne tweeted that he is very into it, so how could you disagree!? —Alexandra Gurvitch, Associate Market Editor
Even taking into account Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean, and Migos's “Slide” and DJ Khaled, Rihanna, and Bryson Tiller’s “Wild Thoughts”—which were practically made for summer listening—nothing beats Drake’s “Passionfruit.” Sure, it may have been released in mid-March when summer was only a distant memory, but as the temperature rises degree by degree, it’s the one song that will definitely be on a constant loop. —Daise Bedolla, Editorial Producer
I’m in love with everything about Phoenix’s new album, Ti Amo. That said, if I have to choose just one song, it would probably be Arcade Fire’s “Everything Now,” which I’ve been playing on loop in anticipation of their (long-, long-, long-awaited!) follow-up to 2013’s Reflektor. —Zoe Ruffner, Beauty Writer
“Green Light” by Lorde because it’s angsty and fun to dance to. —Michaela Bechler, Editorial Assistant
“Swish Swish” by Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, aka the artists who I want performing at my funeral. —Janelle Okwodu, Senior Fashion News Writer
One word: Despacito. Every time Justin Bieber’s perfectly pitched and practiced Spanish verses come onto the remix of Luis Fonsi's hit single, I squeal like a teenager. The original, Bieber-less version of this pure pop song is also great. But adding Bieber’s smooth vocal stylings—and his impressively accurate accent—just takes this song to the next level, even if he refuses to perform it live. Or acknowledge that he knows any of the words. Classic Bieber. —Celia Ellenberg, Beauty Director
The “Despacito” remix. It's a catchy, happy summer dance track; plus, Daddy Yankee deserves a second chance after “Gasolina”. —Brooke Bobb, Fashion News Writer
“Despacito (Remix).”__ No explanation needed. —Dayna Evans, Senior Video Producer
I can't stop looping “Saturday” by Desire. Its cinematic synth is the soundtrack to a leisurely pool day draped in a silk kimono or perched in a fan's breeze practicing Johnny Jewel's moody makeup in the mirror. —Arden Fanning Andrews, Contributing Editor
The song of summer for me is definitely “13” by Allan Rayman. This album was produced by Spencer "Moose" Muscio and if it isn’t on your radar already, you’re missing out. —Alexis Tiganila, Designer
The entire Kendrick album, still, but specifically “HUMBLE,“ “LUST,“ “GOD.“ Oh, and “ELEMENT.“ Also, Phoenix just released a new album, and the song I love for summer is “Fior Di Latte.” Super sexy, cool, and is the soundtrack to the new Calvin Klein underwear ads, shot by Sofia, so, you know, it's good. And then I have to plug my sister's debut album, Fly or Die, which came out on Cinco de Mayo. The song to listen to is “theme nothing,” which will pull you right in and make you feel like you're in space! —Kate Branch, Senior Beauty Editor
“Big Fish” by Vince Staples! Big Fish Theory is launching on Friday and features collaborations with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, and Flume. Even though I haven’t heard the new album yet, I already know it’s what I’ll be dancing to all summer long. —Sara Klausing, Market Editor
I’m still loving Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka. Like many others, I first heard it during Big Little Lies, and haven’t been able to stop listening to it since. It’s the perfect song to play on repeat for long summer road trips or headphones at the beach. —Zac Schwartz, Digital Analytics Manager
My vote is Johnny Balik’s “I Need It.” It was released in March but I feel like people are really sleeping on it. Definitely a fun, easy R&B song that we need in times like these. Also, he was discovered by Chance the Rapper’s manager, so that says something. —Tim Herzog, Visual Research Editor
Nick Murphy’s “Your Time (feat. Kaytranada)” is not the traditional “summer banger” everyone is looking for, I guarantee you will get sucked in! —Amanda Brooks, Designer
“Bambi” by Jidenna. The dreamy beat is just another reminder of how unrequited my love for summer is. Before you know it, we’ll all be wearings tights and my three-month fling with the sun will be a distant memory. Best to slather on the sunscreen and live in the lustful moment before it’s too late! —Lauren Sanchez, Features Associate
I can only contribute what might be my song of the summer, the appropriately named “Hot Thoughts” by Spoon. It's a moody one, but sometimes we lighten things up by substituting "sauce" for "thoughts," and have a good laugh. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Archive Editor
So it’s doubtful that Canadian electropop is going to be the song of the summer, but “The Road” by Lydia Ainsworth is shaping up to be the song of my summer. I am obsessed with Darling of the Afterglow, the Canadian songstress’s mystifying sophomore album, and the first song is exquisite. She sings “let’s go on and on and on once more,” and I listen to her, pressing play once again. —Lauren Mechling, Senior Editor