Here's Every "Song of the Summer" for the Past 50 Years

From 1971 until today, these are the songs that fueled the most hedonistic season of the year.

Every year, as the weather gets warmer, a brand new single comes out that you'll proceed to hear everywhere you go. From gas stations to Starbucks to sports bars to TikTok—it becomes inescapable. A hit like that is soon dubbed the "song of the summer," and whenever the season rolls back around again, the battle for that title begins anew. Using data from Billboard and the Recording Industry Association of America, we've compiled a list of the hottest track of the summer for each of the last 50 years, including this one. Read on to see how many you remember.

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1971: "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King

Carole King "I Feel the Earth Move" Single cover
Ode Records

Carole King had spent most of the '60s writing songs for other artists, but that all changed when she released Tapestry in 1971. "I Feel the Earth Move," which featured "It's Too Late" on the single's b-side, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 19, 1971. It remained there for five consecutive weeks.

1972: "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass

Looking Glass "Brandy You're a Fine Girl" single cover
Epic Records

Nobody in the summer of 1972 could resist the smooth sound of "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. In fact, "Brandy" was so popular that, according to Social Security Administration data, the number of newborn girls named Brandy nearly doubled a year after the single came out. Some came to believe that the song was written about a New Jersey spinster named Mary Ellis, who lived from 1750 to 1823 and fell in love with a sea captain, but writer and lead singer Elliot Lurie debunked that myth.

1973: "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce

Jim Croce "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown & Other Favorites" album cover
CEMA Special Markets

Sure, this Jim Croce tune came out in the spring, but it didn't really take off until three months later. "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" peaked in the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1983. It was Croce's last major hit before he died in a tragic plane crash on Sept. 20 of that same year. ("Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" was still on the charts at the time of his death.)

1974: "Band on the Run" by Wings

Wings "Band on the Run" album cover
Apple

After the Beatles split, Paul McCartney went on to form the band Wings. Their song "Band on the Run" became the song of the summer in 1974. It might even be the most popular non-Beatles song by McCartney; music magazine NME named "Band on the Run" the 10th best song of the entire decade.

1975: "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille

Captain & Tennille "Love Will Keep Us Together" album cover
A&M

"Love Will Keep Us Together," originally written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, launched Captain & Tennille to the top of the charts in 1975. What's more, the duo nabbed a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.

1976: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John and Kiki Dee "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" single cover
MCA

"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was a one-off track recorded by Elton John and Kiki Dee that became the song of the summer in 1976. Released in June, it quickly topped charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, among other countries.

1977: "Best of My Love" by The Emotions

The Emotions "Best of My Love" single cover
CBS

The Emotions managed to land the summer anthem of 1977 with their hit "Best of My Love." The song was so lastingly popular that it dominated the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 throughout August and into September.

1978: "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb "Shadow Dancing" album cover
RSO Records

The song of the summer in 1978 was performed by Andy Gibb and written by his brothers in the Bee Gees while they were working on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band movie. "Shadow Dancing" stayed at the top of the charts for seven weeks, through almost all of June and July.

1979: "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer

Donna Summer "Bad Girls" album cover
Casablanca Records

The Donna Summer song "Bad Girls," from the album of the same name, was, without a doubt, summer's biggest jam in 1979. The song spent five weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 between July and August.

1980: "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel

Billy Joel "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" single cover
Columbia

The 1980 summer anthem was "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," a surprisingly demure hit for the hottest time of year. The song, written by Billy Joel himself, was released on his album Glass Houses and spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

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1981: "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield

Rick Springfield "Jessie's Girl" single cover
RCA

"Jessie's Girl," a song about lusting after a friend's girlfriend, spent months climbing up the charts in 1981, finally landing in the top spot on August 1st and making Rick Springfield a huge star.

1982: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

Survivor "Eye of the Tiger" single cover
EMI/Scotti Brothers

"Eye of the Tiger," the theme to the film Rocky III, was also the song of the summer in 1982—it held on to the top Billboard spot for nearly all of July and August and went double platinum. The Survivor song has since been used in countless TV shows, movies, and advertisements, becoming iconic pump-up music in the process.

1983: "Every Breath You Take" by The Police

The Police "Every Breath You Take" single cover
A&M

In 1983, the Police released "Every Breath You Take," which quickly became a major hit that summer, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. But the tune's success wasn't relegated to the warmer months: "Every Breath You Take" was the best-selling U.S. single of 1983 in its entirety.

1984: "When Doves Cry" by Prince

Prince and the Revolution "When Doves Cry" singles cover
Warner Bros.

In 1984, "When Doves Cry," off of the Purple Rain soundtrack, was the summer anthem. It was also Prince's first single to hit No. 1 in the US.

1985: "Shout" by Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears "Shout" single cover
Phonogram/Mercury

"Shout" was released by Tears for Fears in the United Kingdom in 1984, but it really took off after its 1985 release in the United States. It was the No. 1 song for three weeks that summer.

1986: "Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna

Madonna "Papa Don't Preach" single cover
Warner Bros.

This massive Madonna hit spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1986. "Papa Don't Preach" became the pop star's fourth song to hit No. 1, and its rebellious message—about a pregnant teen—caused tons of controversy.

1987: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" single cover
Arista

In addition to being the 1987 song of the summer, topping charts in more than a dozen countries, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" was also Whitney Houston's fourth consecutive No. 1 hit.

1988: "Roll With It" by Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood "Roll With It" single cover
Virgin

In July and August of 1988, you couldn't escape Steve Winwood's "Roll With It," which spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

1989: "Forever Your Girl" by Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul "Forever Your Girl" album cover
Virgin

Before she became known for her unique hosting style on American IdolPaula Abdul was a pop princess and a dancing machine. She dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the summer of 1989 for two weeks with her hit single "Forever Your Girl."

1990: "Step By Step" by New Kids on the Block

New Kids on the Block "Step by Step" single cover
Columbia

One of the biggest boy bands of the '90s, the New Kids on the Block, had their second inescapable No. 1 hit in the summer of 1990. (The first was "Hangin' Tough" in 1988.) "Step by Step" spent three weeks in the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 and brought countless screaming fans to their live shows.

1991: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" single cover
A&M

There was no avoiding this song from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves soundtrack in the summer of 1991. "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" spent 16 weeks at the top of the U.K. Singles chart, the longest run in British chart history. Stateside, it reigned on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks, from July through September.

1992: "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot

Sir Mix-A-Lot "Baby Got Back" single cover
Def American/Reprise

Sir Mix-A-Lot exploded onto the scene in 1992 with his hit song "Baby Got Back," which has since been sampled by Nicki Minaj in her song "Anaconda." In July and August of that year, you couldn't spend much time in a mall before hearing, "Oh my god, Becky…"

1993: "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson "That's the Way Love Goes" single cover
Virgin

In May, June, and July of 1993, this Janet Jackson slow jam was everywhere. "That's the Way Love Goes" spent two whole months hanging out in the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100.

1994: "I Swear" by All-4-One

All-4-One self-titled album cover
Atlantic/WEA

Though Ace of Base's "The Sign" kicked off the summer of 1994, the rest of the season belonged to All-4-One's iconic love song "I Swear." It spent an impressive 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and remained one of the biggest wedding songs for years to come.

1995: "Waterfalls" by TLC

TLC "Waterfalls" single cover
LaFace

In 1995, TLC found themselves with an unlikely summer jam—"Waterfalls"—released in May of that year. Thanks to the catchy chorus, the group's song about the dangers of HIV and illicit substances made its mark, spending seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. "Waterfalls" went on to nab two Grammy nominations and earned the No. 10 spot on Billboard's list of the 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

1996: "Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)" by Los Del Rio

Los Del Rio "Macarena" single cover
RCA

In 1996, the Bayside Boys remix of the Los Del Rio song "Macarena" was everywhere, including the Democratic National Convention. It spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and to this day, you'll find people shameless enough to do the accompanying dance whenever it's played.

1997: "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112

Puff Daddy and Faith Evans "I'll Be Missing You" single cover
Bad Boy/Arista

This song was released in 1997 as a tribute to Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, who was murdered earlier that year, and samples the 1983 song of the summer, "Every Breath You Take" by the Police. Proving the original's staying power, "I"ll Be Missing You" spent 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

1998: "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica

Brandy and Monica "The Boy Is Mine" single cover
Atlantic

This summer anthem from 1998, about two women dating the same man, was inspired by the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney duet from 1982, "The Girl Is Mine." The female-fronted version, "The Boy Is Mine," spent 13 weeks at No. 1 and fueled a summer of rumors about these two pop stars.

1999: "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera self-titled album cover
RCA

"Genie in a Bottle," the 1999 song of the summer, is from Christina Aguilera's debut album, which went platinum and helped place her on the pop music map.

2000: "Maria Maria" by Santana featuring the Product G&B

Santana "Supernatural" album cover
Arista

Carlos Santana made a major mainstream comeback at the turn of the millennium with "Smooth," his collaboration with Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas, and this song, produced by Wyclef Jean. "Maria Maria" spent a whopping 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Who could forget that guitar riff?

2001: "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and P!nk

"Lady Marmalade" single cover
Interscope

Aguilera came back to nab another summer anthem in 2001—this time with Missy Elliot, Lil' Kim, Mya, and P!nk. Their cover of the Patti LaBelle classic "Lady Marmalade" led the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack and was inescapable that summer.

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2002: "Hot in Herre" by Nelly

Nelly "Hot in Herre" single cover
Universal

The 2002 song of the summer was Nelly's "Hot in Herre," which spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to win a Grammy for Best Male Rap Solo Performance.

2003: "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z

Beyonce "Crazy in Love" single cover
Columbia

You couldn't go anywhere in the summer of 2003 without hearing "Crazy In Love," the hit single off Beyoncé's debut solo album. With then-boyfriend and future husband Jay-Z supporting her, the track will forever be associated with them going public with their relationship.

2004: "Yeah!" by Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris

Cover of Yeah top summer song
Arista

"Yeah!," the 2004 song of the summer, held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks until it was bumped off by another single by Usher, "Burn."

2005: "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey "We Belong Together" single cover
Island Def Jam

The 2005 song of the summer, "We Belong Together," from Mariah Carey's album The Emancipation of Mimi, was considered by many to be her musical comeback. It became the second longest-running No. 1 song in U.S. chart history. Oh, and it also went triple platinum.

2006: "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado

Nelly Furtado and Timbaland

Nelly Furtado switched things up after her hit track "I'm Like a Bird" with this R&B song featuring Timbaland. With her infectious vocals and the song's catchy beats, "Promiscuous" quickly became the 2006 summer jam, topping the Billboard Hot 100, Mainstream 40, and Top 40.

2007: "Umbrella"by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

Rihanna "Umbrella" single cover
Def Jam

The 2007 song of the summer was Rihanna's "Umbrella," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and eventually won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

2008: "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry

Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" single cover
Capitol

Katy Perry's breakout hit "I Kissed a Girl" held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks in 2008 and has sold over four million copies since.

2009: "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" single cover
Interscope

Nearly the entire year of 2009 belonged to the Black Eyed Peas. "Boom Boom Pow" was the top song on the Billboard Hot 1o0 for 12 weeks between April and July. Then "I Gotta Feeling" came around and finished out the summer, sitting at the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks from July through October.

2010: "California Gurls" by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg

Katy Perry "Teenage Dream" album cover
Capitol

In 2010, Perry gave us another summer jam with her catchy track "California Gurls," which features a Snoop Dogg verse and spent six weeks at the top of the charts in June and July.

2011: "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock

LMFAO "Party Rock Anthem" single cover
Interscope

The 2011 song of the summer, "Party Rock Anthem," was released in January, but it stayed on the charts for a mind-boggling 68 weeks, peaking in July and August.

2012: "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen

Carley Rae Jepson "Call Me Maybe" single cover
604

Carly Rae Jepsen released summer anthem "Call Me Maybe" in 2012 and subsequently rocketed to fame. The song prompted countless parodies and covers, including one famous video in which Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ashley Tisdale, and other celebrities lip-sync the song.

2013: "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell

Robin Thicke "Blurred Lines" album cover
Star Trak/Interscope

Robin Thicke's problematic hit "Blurred Lines" was the song of the summer in 2013, selling more than 14 million singles before outrage over the offensive lyrics—and a widely publicized lawsuit on behalf of Marvin Gaye's estate—derailed its success. Still, it definitely had its moment in the sun: "Blurred Lines" was the top Billboard Hot 100 hit for 12 weeks from June until Labor Day weekend.

2014: "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

Iggy Azalea "Fancy" single cover
Def Jam/Virgin EMI

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea burst onto the charts in 2014 with her song "Fancy," which held the top Billboard Hot 100 spot for seven weeks. While she's tried to recapture the magic of this peppy track, "Fancy" remains Azalea's biggest hit.

2015: "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar "Bad Blood" single cover
Big Machine/Republic Records

The 2015 song of the summer came from Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, thanks in no small part to the very hyped-up music video that accompanied "Bad Blood" and the rumors it fueled about Swift's biggest enemies.

2016: "One Dance" by Drake featuring WizKid and Kyla

Drake "Views" album cover
Cash Money/Republic/Young Money

In addition to being the 2016 song of the summer, Canadian artist Drake's "One Dance" also carried the distinction of being the most popular song on Spotify until Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" eventually overtook it.

2017: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber

Luis Fonsi "Despacito" single cover
Universal Latin

Even non-Spanish speakers were singing along to "Despacito." The Luis Fonsi track, featuring Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber, was literally the top Billboard Hot 100 song the entire summer of 2017, from May 27th to September 9th.

2018: "In My Feelings" by Drake

Drake "Scorpio" album cover
Cash Money/Republic/Young Money

Released shortly after the July 4th holiday weekend, "In My Feelings," another single by Drake, set summer stereos ablaze. In addition to shattering the record for single-week streams (116 million), it stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks.

2019: "Old Town Road – Remix" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus "Old Town Road – Remix" single cover
Columbia

The song that put Lil Nas X on the map, "Old Town Road," may not only be the song of the summer of 2019 but the song of all the summers. In August of 2019, it broke the record to become the longest-reigning Billboard No. 1 after topping the charts for 19 weeks. It's also went to diamond-selling status faster than any song in history.

2020: "Savage Remix" by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé

Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce "Savage Remix" single cover
1501 Certified/300

Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion has put out hit after hit but it was this collaboration with Beyoncé that ruled the summer of 2020. Amid the pandemic, "song of the summer" status wasn't decided by beach vacations, road trips, and clubs; "Savage" blew up on TikTok, the social networking app that kept so many people entertained in quarantine.

2021: "Butter" by BTS

BTS "Butter" single cover
Big Hit/Sony Music

The summer of 2021 is still underway, but, as of right now, it looks like to belongs to K-Pop group BTS. Their second English-language single "Butter" has topped charts in several countries, including the U.S. and South Korea, and the premiere of its music video was the most-watched ever in YouTube history.

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