Every Single Song of Summer—From 1985 to the Present
Memorial Day came and went, which means it’s time to start thinking about which pop confection will be crowned the definitive Song of Summer.
While there hasn’t been a behemoth of “Call Me Maybe” or “Blurred Lines” proportion this year to make us want to slam our heads against a wall hop in a convertible and drive like we’re reenacting the opening credits of “The Hills,” there are a few buzzy contenders: Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson‘s “Uptown Funk, Jason Derulo‘s “Want You to Want Me,” Fetty Wap‘s “Trap Queen,” Omi‘s “Cheerleader,” and Walk the Moon‘s “Shut Up and Dance,” to name a few.
While thinking about which tune we’d be willing to hear every. single. place. we. go. for the next two-plus months, we also started thinking about what past tracks have nabbed the coveted Song of Summer crown. Turns out, the tradition dates back to the mid-1980s, when easy-rock artists like Tears for Fears, Huey Lewis and the News, and Steve Winwood reigned supreme.
In a wildly entertaining project, we’ve amassed every single Song of Summer since 1985 as compiled by Billboard, which ranked each song based on its performance on the Hot 100 chart during the season.
Read on and let us your favorite—or your least favorite (cough*Richard Marx*cough.)
1985: “Shout” by Tears for Fears
Also in the top 10 that summer: The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & The News, “Sussudio” by Phil Collins, St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” by John Parr.
1986: “Papa Don’t Preach” by Madonna
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Glory Of Love” by Peter Cetera, “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood, “Venus” by Bananarama
1987: “Alone” by Heart
Also in the top 10 that summer: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston, Head To Toe” by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, “Only In My Dreams” by Debbie Gibson
1988: ‘Roll With It” by Steve Winwood
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Hold On To The Nights” by Richard Marx, “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
1989: “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Toy Soldiers” by Martika, “Cold Hearted” by Paula Abdul, “Baby Don’t Forget My Number” by Milli Vanilli
1990: “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Step By Step” by New Kids On The Block, “If Wishes Came True” by Sweet Sensation, “Hold On” by En Vogue
1991: “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” by Bryan Adams
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Unbelievable” by EMF, “I Wanna Sex You Up” by Color Me Badd, “Summertime” by The Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff
1992: Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot
Also in the top 10 that summer: “End Of The Road” by Boyz II Men, “Baby-Baby-Baby” by TLC, “Under The Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Just Another Day” by Jon Secada
1993: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by UB40
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team, “Weak” by SWV, That’s The Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson
1994: “I Swear” by All-4-One
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Stay (I Missed You)” by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, “Don’t Turn Around” by Ace Of Base, “Fantastic Voyage” by Coolio, “Regulate” by Warren G & Nate Dogg
1995: “Waterfalls” by TLC
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal, “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)”by Monica, “Run-Around” by “Blues Traveler
1996: “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “C’mon N’ Ride It” by Quad City DJs, “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey, “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis
1997: “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
Also in the top 10 that summer: “MMMBop” by Hanson, “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” by Backstreet Boys, Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind, “Mo Money Mo Problems” by B.I.G., Puff Daddy & Mase
1998: “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy and Monica
Also in the top 10 that summer: “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain, “My Way” by Usher, “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo
1999: “Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera
Also in the top 10 that summer: “If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez, “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child, “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys, “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
2000: “Bent” by Matchbox 20
Also in the top 10 that summer: “It’s Gonna Be Me” by ‘N Sync, “Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon, “I Wanna Know” by Joe, “Higher” by Creed
2001: “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” by Eve feat. Gwen Stefani
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Drops Of Jupiter” by Train, “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” by Blu Cantrell, “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child, “Fallin” by Alicia Keys
2002: “Hot in Herre” by Nelly
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne, “Without Me” by Eminem, ” “Foolish” by Ashanti
2003: “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Magic Stick” by Lil Kim feat. 50 Cent, “Right Thurr” by Chingy, “This Is The Night” by Clay Aiken
2004: “Confessions Part II” by Usher
Also in the top 10 that summer: “The Reason” by Hoobastank, “Lean Back” by Terror Squad, “Turn Me On” by Kevin Lyttle
2005: “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani, “Don’t Cha” by The Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes, “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna
2006: “Promiscuous” by Nelly Fertado
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira, “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, “It’s Goin’ Down” by Yung Joc
2007: “Umbrella” by Rihanna
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie, “Party Like A Rockstar” by Shop Boyz, “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” by T-Pain feat. Yung Joc
2008: “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis, “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, “Disturbia” by Rihanna
2009: “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas
Also in the top 10 that summer: “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” by Pitbull, “Lovegame” by Lady Gaga
2010: “California Gurls” by Katy Perry
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Airplanes” by B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams, “OMG” by Usher feat. will.i.am., “Cooler Than Me” by Mike Posner
2011: “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Rolling In The Deep” by Adele, Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj, “The Edge Of Glory” by Lady Gaga
2012: “Call Me Maybe” Carly Rae Jepsen
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra, “Lights” by Ellie Goulding, “We Are Young” by Fun.
2013: “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell and T.I.
Also in the top 10 that summer: “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell, “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus
2014: “Fancy” Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
Also in the top 10 that summer: Rude by “Magic!” “Problem” by Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith, “Am I Wrong” by Nico and Vinz, “Summer” by Calvin Harris.
