What will be this year’s “Song of the Summer” – the song that we will hear endlessly at beach parties, backyard BBQs, or just blasting out of car radios? Last year, OMI’s “Cheerleader” took the crown. Two years ago, it was Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.” Here are 27 prime candidates to take the title this year.
27. “Toothbrush” by DNCE
Joe Jonas’s new group sounds a bit like Maroon 5 on this breezy song. This is the second single from the group’s debut album, Swaay, following “Cake By the Ocean.” Come to think of it, after having all that cake, it probably is a good idea to brush. Current Hot 100 ranking: not yet charted.
26. “Go Ahead and Break My Heart” by Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani
This catchy, genre-bending duet by the lovebirds from The Voice is from Shelton’s 10th studio album, If I’m Honest. The title bears a passing resemblance to an earlier duet, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (by Elton John & Kiki Dee), which was the Song of the Summer for 1976. Current Hot 100 ranking: #70 in its first week.
25. “You Don’t Own Me” by Grace featuring G-Eazy
Lesley Gore’s original version of this feminist-minded classic was one of the Songs of the Winter for 1964. It reached #2 in February 1964. Quincy Jones, who produced the original, also co-produced this faithful, yet smartly updated, version. G-Eazy gives the song a contemporary, hip-hop edge. Grace, who is Australian, is 19. (Gore was just 17 when her version was a hit.) Current Hot 100 ranking: #86.
24. “Send My Love (to Your New Lover)” by Adele
This is the third single from Adele’s blockbuster album, 25, with the song’s music video premiering during the Billboard Music Awards. (That’s how you know an artist has really made it: when they can get a chunk of airtime on a major music award show without performing.) Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” was the #3 Song of the Summer for 2011. This song has climbed as high as #79. Current Hot 100 ranking: not charted.
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17. “No” by Meghan Trainor
This is the lead single from Trainor’s sophomore album, Thank You. It has one of the shortest titles ever for a summertime smash. The title is even shorter than “OMG” by Usher featuring will.i.am, which was the #4 Song of the Summer for 2010. “No” has climbed as high as #3. Trainor performing the song on this year’s Billboard Music Awards may give it a second wind. Current Hot 100 ranking: #19 in its 10th week.
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13. “Needed Me” by Rihanna
This expletive-laced track is the second single from Rihanna’s eighth studio album, Anti. It’s competing with her hit Calvin Harris collabo, “This Is What You Came For.” Rihanna has placed a song among the top 10 Songs of the Summer six times. Her “Umbrella” (featuring Jay Z) was #1 for 2007. Current Hot 100 ranking: #10 in its 15th week.
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11. “Just Like Fire” by P!nk
This robust pop/rock song is from the Disney film Alice Through the Looking Glass. It has already charted higher than Avril Lavigne’s “Alice,” from the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland. P!nk scored her first #1 hit 15 years ago with another movie song, “Lady Marmalade” from Moulin Rouge. Current Hot 100 ranking: #30 in its fourth week.
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9. “Company” by Justin Bieber
This lilting pop song is the fourth single from Bieber’s fourth studio album, Purpose. The first three have all reached #1. Deep trivia: The song is vying to become the first top 10 hit that shares its name with a Tony-winning musical since Lady Gaga’s “Applause” a few years ago. (Applause won as Best Musical of 1970. Company won for 1971.) This song has climbed as high as #53. Current Hot 100 ranking: not charted.
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5. “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ign
The female quintet is vying to become the first all-female group to place a song among the top 10 Songs of the Summer since the Pussycat Dolls scored in 2006 with “Buttons” (featuring Snoop Dogg). The sexy smash is from Fifth Harmony’s sophomore album, 7/27. The song has reached #5. Current Hot 100 ranking: #6 in its 11th week.
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1. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
This is the happiest hit of the summer; it’s this year’s “Walking on Sunshine.” The song is from the upcoming animated movie Trolls (which isn’t slated to be released until November). This would mark the first time that Timberlake has had the #1 Song of the Summer, either solo or with *NSYNC. The boy band’s “It’s Gonna Be Me” was the #2 Song of the Summer for 2000. JT’s solo hit “Mirrors” was #7 for 2013. Current Hot 100 ranking: #1 in its first week.
By Paul Grein Thu, May 19 5:31 PM PDT
https://www.yahoo.com/music/27-hot-contenders-2016-song-003113010.html
[Go to the article to read all of Paul’s suggestions and to listen to the songs!]