Today NY Post places odds on which tune will be crowned this year’s Song Of The Summer.
“A summer hit has to have a unique upfront hook, a great beat, and it has to sound great in a car,” says Jim Kaminski, who works in marketing at Tower Records. “You’ll find yourself singing along even if you hate it.”
They asked for Stereogum’s 2 cents, so I threw some “Smiley Faces” at them, assuming the regular suspects were already covered. And I’m so over that Paris Hilton song. Here’s the Post‘s breakdown:
Nelly Furtado and Timbaland – “Promiscuous”
ODDS: 2-1
Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy”
ODDS: 3-1
Justin Timberlake – “Sexy-Back”
ODDS: 3-1
Beyonce with Jay-Z – “Déjà Vu”
ODDS: 3-1
ODDS: 4-1
Shakira and Wyclef Jean – “Hips Don’t Lie”
ODDS: 5-1
Luther Vandross – “Shine”
ODDS: 6-1
Tony Matterhorn – “Dutty Wine”
ODDS: 7-1
Gnarls Barkley – “Smiley Faces”
ODDS: 7-1
Christina Aguilera – “Ain’t No Other Man”
ODDS: 8-1
The Strokes – “You Only Live Once”
ODDS: 10-1
My money’s on Timberlake. He’s bringing sexy back (“you motherfuckers watch how I attack”). This site is streaming a whole 17 seconds.
For FutureSex/LoveSounds, Timbaland hooked Timberlake up with some phat hooks. “What Goes Around Comes Around” contains “an A hook and a B hook,” the singer tells Rolling Stone. “Somebody once said to me that when John Lennon found a hook for a song, he’d make it the verse. That’s what I was going for.” He should relay that pointer to Stephen Malkmus.
Last year around this time NY Daily News gave us an incomplete scorecard of summer songs since George Michael ruled FM. This year the Post gives us a monster list.
50 Years Of Summer Songs
1955: “Rock Around the Clock,” Bill Haley & His Comets
1956: “Hound Dog,” Elvis Presley
1957: “Love Letters in the Sand,” Pat Boone
1958: “Summertime Blues,” Eddie Cochran
1959: “See You in September,” the Tempos
1960: “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini,” Brian Hyland
1961: “Runaway,” Del Shannon
1962: “The Loco-Motion,” Little Eva
1963: “Surf City,” Jan & Dean
1964: “I Get Around,” the Beach Boys
1965: “California Girls,” the Beach Boys
1966: “Summer in the City,” the Lovin’ Spoonful
1967: “Groovin,’ ” the Rascals
1968: “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” the Rolling Stones
1969: “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” Sly and the Family Stone
1970: “In the Summertime,” Mungo Jerry
1971: “Brown Sugar,” the Rolling Stones
1972: “School’s Out,” Alice Cooper
1973: “My Love,” Wings
1974: “Rock the Boat,” the Hues Corporation
1975: “One of These Nights,” Eagles
1976: “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty,” KC and the Sunshine Band
1977: “Margaritaville,” Jimmy Buffett
1978: “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner
1979: “My Sharona,” the Knack
1980: “Funkytown,” Lipps, Inc.
1981: “Jessie’s Girl,” Rick Springfield
1982: “Jack and Diane,” John Cougar Mellencamp
1983: “The Safety Dance,” Men Without Hats
1984: “The Reflex,” Duran Duran
1985: “The Power of Love,” Huey Lewis and the News
1986: “Venus,” Banarama
1987: “Here I Go Again,” Whitesnake
1988: “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” Def Leppard
1989: “Good Thing,” Fine Young Cannibals
1990: “Vogue,” Madonna
1991: “Unbelievable,” EMF
1992: “Jump,” Kris Kross
1993: “Whoomp! There It Is,” Tag Team
1994: “All I Wanna Do,” Sheryl Crow
1995: “Fantastic Voyage,” Coolio
1996: “The Macarena,” Los Del Rio
1997: “Walking on the Sun,” Smash Mouth
1998: “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It,” Will Smith
1999: “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” Ricky Martin
2000: “Who Let the Dogs Out?” Baha Men
2001: “Bootylicious,” Destiny’s Child
2002: “Hot in Herre,” Nelly
2003: “Crazy in Love,” Beyoncé
2004: “Yeah,” Usher
2005: “Hollaback Girl,” Gwen Stefani
So 2006: who’s it gonna be? And don’t rule out new Outkast!
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That Outkast just made my day, thank you!
Muse “Supermassive Black Hole” – ’nuff said.
that Blue Cheer song
Nelly F.
i’d say lily allen – ldn, if only it had some radio play
Summer at my house is all about Wolfmother. “Woman.”
How much you wanna bet it’s a song we’ll shake our heads at in future years, like 90% of the “Sizzlers of Summers Past”?
You missed out that R Kelly track from the previous summer anthems. You know, “its the remix to ignition, hot and fresh off the kitchen, bla bla bla bla bla bla, got every man in here wishin’. Sippin’ on coke and rum, yeah, so what I’m drunk.” Can’t remember the rest of the words. I think that was a couple of years ago now.
i’m actually a little stunned by how good that tiny clip of the justin timberlake single sounded.
three words
STARS ARE BLIND
Please explain to me how Lily Allen – Smile won’t be the song of the summer?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QngjaeSkn5Y&search=Allen%20smile
i’ve heard 2 of those…and both are by gnarls barkely
So nobody else is still rockin’ the Popozao, huh?
Hips don’t lie is the best song ever
“Smiley Faces”
You only live once should soundtrack dropped panties the world over!
probably sir gnarls barkley.
i just wanna know why there is an * next to jimmy buffet.
“LDN” is very much a summer song.
“cheated hearts”?
Jesus, those are pretty lame, middle of the road choices. I work at a indie radio station in the LA area & here some other suggestions.
“Wicked World” by Osaka Popstar, which is a new group of punk superstars making pop music. Check out the song at their myspace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/Osakapopstar
Also check out “Let’s Get Out of This Country” from the new Camera Obscura album. Listen to it over at Hype. One listen and you’ll be hooked.
“The Funeral” by Band of Horses is another great summer tune.
…Lily is pretty great too!
berut is summer too, kids
bryan, ditto.
In fact, I think the only one of the “songs of the summer” since 2000 I’ve even heard is “Hot in Herre”, and that was mostly because I saw Day by the River cover it at a show and wanted to hear the original. I did see part of “Hollaback Girl” on SNL or something once. Meh.
LDN
I’d say whatever year “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige was out has the wrong song posted on your master list. Because that was coming out of every Jeep in the 5 boroughs and nationwide.
Lily Lily Lily.
“LDN” is the IT song for this summer. No other contendahs.
Those songs are crap. Song of the summer is definitely Sound Team’s “Born to Please”. Great hook, and it sounds bitchin’ in the car.
Cartel “Honestly”. You know everyone will be singing along to that song by the end of the summer.
I’m betting on Crazy. Sure, its getting annoying, but its damn popular
http://www.musictimes.com.au
YEP, others are already all over this, and they are right as a mofo..Lily Allen ‘SMILE’ is “THEE” would-be, should-be summer hit of the summer…IFFFF, those idiots on VH1 get their shit together and actually play the fucking video. (we know mtv won’t, OH if it was Kelly Osbourne, they’d be ALL over it!)
IF they do (vh1)? ‘Can’t miss’, all the way.
‘Crazy”s already tired btw haha…cute lil ‘fill the Outkast void’ song though…;) (come back andre!)
I don’t know how any of this year’s crop of summer songs will ever top Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It” – but as a betting man, I will have to go with Stereogum – if anyone can do it, it’s that man Justin
I think we’re having another case of thinking there are way more indie kids than there really are. Lily Allen has no chance, nor does Beirut, Band of Horses etc of being a nationally recognized Song Of The Summer…the only Stereogum-approved artist that has a chance is Gnarls Barkley. But it’ll probably be Nelly Furtado or Justin Timberlake (“Hips Don’t Lie” is the best, but it’s been out for a while).
HIPS DON’T LIE ALL THE WAY… IT JUST BROKE ALL THE RECORDS THIS YEAR… IT HAS THE RECORD FOR: MOST DIGITAL DOWNLOADS, MOST PLAYED SONG IN POP HISTORY (BREAKING GWEN’ HOLLABACK GIRL’S RECORD), THE VIDEO HAS BEEN #1 IN YAHOO FOR MORE THAN 2 MONTHS… AND ON TOP OF ALL THE SONG HELD THE #1 SPOT ON BILLBOARD ON THE LATIN CHARTS AND THE HOT 100 AT THE SAME TIME… (FIRST TIME EVER).
Carl Lewis’ “Break it Up”. Not only the greatest summer song. Simply the greatest song EVER!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jamJ4-C_TME&search=carl%20lewis%20break%20it%20up
So far, the song of the summer is Let’s Get Out of This Country.
Song of the summer: Crazy
Like every summer song, it sounds great coming out of a car window.
BTW, the best summer song on that list has to be Jumping Jack Flash. What a difference from the previous and following year. It’s like the counterculture owned the airwaves for one summer.
someone needs to add that new rapture song to the list. its gonna be it. check myspace.
BTW, I assume those who say Lily Allen live in the UK, where “ldn” or “smile” could be huge summer hits. Indeed, “Crazy” is as old hat as “Honky Cat” overseas. But expect meatheads and hoes to look frustrated trying to download Charles Barkley on BitTorrent this summer.
It’s fucking March, and we’re already talking about “Summer songs”?
“It’s fucking March, and we’re already talking about “Summer songs”?”
Put all your money on Miami to win the NBA championship, but wait until after they drop the first 2 so you get better odds.
Almost without exception all of those “summer songs” on that list suck, is that some sort of requirement?
I would vote for Peter Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks”. That has definately been my song of the summer.
Haha Clem. That guy is surfing on his time machine’s computer or something.
Definitely “Dance in My Blood” by Men Women & Children… don’t argue with me…
I think the point of the Summer Song title is that they dooo suck but they’re everywhere anyways; It’s so much fun that you cant really deny it. Yes?
With that said, my vote so far is obviously for Nelly Furtado. However, I haven’t heard that Justin Timberlake song yet, and he usually kicks out the jams pretty well…
Team Shakira
I can’t stand the new Nelly F. She’s trying so hard it makes me cringe.
Luther. My MAN!
Heaven got an angel…
“Yeah” came out in February of 2004. “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” came out in March 1998. I don’t know how these were songs of the summer.
I think the summer jam of last year was either Jay Z’s “Dear Summer” or Common’s “The Corner.” I also got to make a shout out for Qtip’s underappreciated “Let’s Ride” in the summer of 2000. I wore the shit out of that song.
lily allen: in the UK is just the same as Paris Hilton:
rich daddy got her record deal, bought in teams wrote the songs.
now, i dig lily as much as teh next red-blooded male, but she’s evil, man, according to my A&R friend who passed on her….
I REALLY wish it was 1990 right now.
the songs of teh summer for the last two years are wrong.
feel good inc was everywhere last year. and hey ya the year before.
this year? i dunno, probably crazy, i dunno if it’s as energetic enough for a summer song though.
If I hear “Crazy” one more time I am going to stab myself in the ears.
And not to say what everyone else is saying, but I have to agree, it’s Lily!!!!
http://WWW.RYANSTAR.TV
i must be the only one who can’t stand shakira’s wailing.
my vote is for fergie’s new single, “london bridge”. you heard it here first!
I agree with those recommending that indie kids get their heads out of their asses. How many times have you heard Camera freakin’ Obscura blasting out of someone’s car stereo?
Anyway, everyone is wrong, the right answer is Rihanna’s “S.O.S.,” even if it did come out a few months ago.
What about Kelis? I heard “I’m Bossy” on the radio in my car and pretty much lost my mind. I’m certainly gonna be rocking that one this summer…
Outkast by far. Andre and Big Boi never fail to deliver.
Oh, you guys are such obscurists. “Promiscuous” is an awesome song. “Crazy” hasn’t gotten nearly enough play on TRL for it to be the Song of the Summer.
I think Nelly Furtado is going to have the song of the summer and depending on what the next single is she could have the song of the fall too.
I think the song of Summer 2005, was We Belong Together, not really Hollaback Girl.
My bad on Will Smith, whatever the time frame–Matt was right – Carl Lewis’ Break It Up can’t be topped–ever!
i agree that “lloyd, i’m ready to be heartbroken” is the song of summer thus far
Man, I wish Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push” had a chance!
The new Snickers song.
That Len song “Steal My Sunshine” should have made the list right around 1999.
‘Hips Don’t Lie’ is this summer’s hit.
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Wait, I thought we all decided that Feel Good inc. was last year’s official song of summer.
What is going on here? We all know “Remix to Ignition” was The Song of Summer’03. Beyonce, Can you handle that? I dont think she can handle that. It was the Remix to Ignition, hot and fresh out the kitchen.
…and Obvioulsly the official Summer Song of 2006 will be Steven Sujfan’s “Remix to Dear Mr.Supercomputer.”
…and Obvioulsly the official Summer Song of 2006 will be Steven Sujfan’s “Remix to Dear Mr.Supercomputer that fell in love with a stripper.”
“Promiscuous” Absolutely.
1991: “Unbelievable,” EMF
What the hell?
OK, for one “Unbelievable” was Spring and I cant understand how they missed Dj Jazz Jeff & Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”, which is probably the PROTOTYPICAL summer jam and actually WAS the summer song of 1991.
Plus, “Fantastic Voyage” was the summer jam in 1994, that Sheryl Crow song was a hit in late winter, and summer 1995 was more likely between Skee Lo’s “I Wish” and TLC’s “Waterfalls”
smoosh “find a way”. un-out-of-my-head-gettable.
HOW HAS NO ONE MENTIONED “RIDING DIRTY” BY CHAMILLIONARE. If you are to score summer jam points by whats being played the loudest by every whip in brooklyn than this is the winner by a billion points.
Excuse me, but Spank Rock’s “Sweet Talk” is the song of the summer and the year. Already. Contest over.
I agree with whoever said Men, Women and Children….but i haven’t even heard that on the radio so it’s got no chance even though it’s a great song
but I echo whoever said Fergie’s song “London Bridge” it’s damn good for Fergie…i can’t stop listening to it
Dir en grey “SAKU”. I also agree with the person that said “Dance In My Blood”.
“Hips Don’t Lie” and “Promiscuous” and whatever farts Lily Allen came out with sucks. Ass. Period.
Too much indie kids here.
lol wow that list fucking sucks
even for the early stuff
Surprised there’s not more love for Gnarls’ Crazy. Maybe the UK hype hurt it here. I think it should win. All I know is C.H.I.P.S. don’t lie is the most painfully annoying record I’ve heard this year. So I guess it should be the summer song. Since when you look at that list 90% of the tracks fell into the category of ‘painfully annoying’.
Actually the winner is…
“She’s A Fig Neutron” by Gordon Grody & The D-Fonz
If only the movie were as great as the song.
on a completly different note…
all this ‘eraser’ stuff is pretty pretty.
i just got an email.
http://www.xlrecordings.com/haveyouseenthisman/
it all makes kinda sense now.
damn iconic british landmarks
what’s with all the “i haven’t even heard any of the songs on that list” comments?? stop trying to be indier and thou and recognize that there are some infectious pop songs out there.
my vote is for nelly furtado’s “promiscuous.” but if justin popped out the song today, it might win!
unquestionably Christina A’s Summer.
PS have you seen 30 seconds to mars gay sex tape on PopMuse.com???
i cant find the jt song on the website. anyone have a yousendit link or can direct in the proper direction to find it?
I’m sick of Lily Allen already. “Bossy” by Kelis is the hottest shit ever. And it has a rap by Too Motherfuckin’ $hort!
1985 = “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”
Nice list but where the hell are the Red Hot Chili Peppers? On July 17th the music video premier for Tell Me Baby will be released. So watch out.
Here’s what I’ll say. My summer jam is Hustlin’ by Rick Ross b/c Rick Ross is the future. For the rest of the world on the other hand, there is one song that I always hear on the radio and that’s Promiscuous. That’s right: Promiscuous, summer jam for 2006. I’d disagree with the post’s list because lean back was the summer jam of 2004, but that’s for another day.
I don’t really know much about lily allen
but her video smile seems pretty nasty.
If I see her in the street and I was in my
car I would run the little cunt over.
I don’t really know much about lily allen
but her video smile seems pretty nasty.
If I see her in the street and I was in my
car I would run the little cunt over.
i was listening to xm and “london bridge” by fergie came on. how could a song that sucks like that be the no. 1 single in the country!?! and i thought jessica simpson’s “a public affair” was BAD.
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