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Song of summer 2007?

Is there a song for summer 2007 yet? Something along the lines of Crazy in Love in 2003 and, what, Since U Been Gone in 2005…a song that comes to identify the summer to a wide variety of people. There’s been some discussion of this question, but no definite answers yet. I’ve heard MIMS’ This is Why I’m Hot in a wide array of contexts…might be a contender, but does it have the mass popularity and longevity?

Reader comments

glennMay 22, 2007 at 11:32AM

Well if there's justice, it'll be something by Feist...

BarrettMay 22, 2007 at 11:35AM

agreed! "feel it all" by feist is my choice for summer song '07.

brianMay 22, 2007 at 11:38AM

wow. before seeing these comments I was thinking "One Two Three Four". There's a complete consensus for Feist so far. . .

Ryan GuillMay 22, 2007 at 11:40AM

Hasn't the MIMS song been out for a little too long to be the song of the summer? I'm sure it will still get plenty of air time, but I don't know that it should hold the title.

walrusMay 22, 2007 at 11:48AM

Mims is terrible, absolutely terrible. I can't believe this is what passes for rap these days. It's like you take something vapid and harmless like Will Smith (the lousy rapper, not the decent actor), and give him brain damage.

BrandonMay 22, 2007 at 11:48AM

It sounds silly, but if BP would release "Say Hey" from their commercials, I'd make it the "summer hit" darkhorse. Message of the Blues's "LA" (the song it was based on), is rocking my socks right now.

PatrickMay 22, 2007 at 11:57AM

The Broken Social Scene vs R. Kelly mashup - I'm a Flirt (Shoreline) is by far, the best summer song ever.

BrandonMay 22, 2007 at 11:58AM

It's been out for a bit, but Mika's "Grace Kelly" also has that "summer song singalong" vibe, and has been getting a ton of radio play.

(I'm only thinking of bands with that wide popular appeal and feel-good vibe, not necessarily my personal favorites.)

TravisMay 22, 2007 at 12:00PM

What about "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John? But probably we'll have to wait another short while.

IQpierceMay 22, 2007 at 12:14PM

Modest Mouse's "Dashboard" will probably be my personal soundtrack for 2007.

Arthur Davidson FickeMay 22, 2007 at 12:17PM

I think it's the Vista startup sound.

LeonyaMay 22, 2007 at 12:36PM

Either Modest Mouse or Kings of Leon.

Hillary BrownMay 22, 2007 at 12:42PM

Rihanna's "Umbrella"

JanellMay 22, 2007 at 12:45PM

I think perhaps we're forgeting that thirteen year old girls are deciding what song will be big for summer. I think it's time to grit your teeth and brace yourself for something very Fergie. I mean, she does still eat at Taco Bell.

willie minkMay 22, 2007 at 12:50PM

I think everyone's summer song should be, well, my summer song: Page France's "Hat and Rabbit":

http://pdl.stream.aol.com/aol/us/aolmusic/spinner/mp3s/page-france_hat_rabbit_dl.mp3

"Guns and Dolls" by the Bastard Fairies is a strong contender, though:

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Bastard+Fairies/_/Guns+And+Dolls

Kevin MyrickMay 22, 2007 at 12:52PM

My song of the summer has been Amy Winehouse's "Rehab." It's catchy.

Bobby S.May 22, 2007 at 12:58PM

In my opinion,
"D.A.N.C.E." by Justice is going to be the hot jam of the summer. If you can't dance to this, it's a bloody shame.

http://www.kitsunenoir.com/blogimages/justice-dance.mp3
(Cut and paste in a new browser, duh)

ENJOY!

judson May 22, 2007 at 12:58PM

Now I only listen to interent radio, so with a grain o' salt:

Jill Cunniff's 'Lazy Girls' really gets under your skin in a great way.

http://themilitiagroup.com/mp3/jillcunniff/01%20Lazy%20Girls.mp3

RexMay 22, 2007 at 1:00PM

Good question, and I find none of the answers satisfying as a cultural summer moment so far.

Perhaps something on the new Wilco or White Stripes albums will break. I'd like to say that new Battles song will bust open on the masses, but it probably won't.

Or we could all keep chanting....

THIS IS WHY, THIS IS WHY, THIS IS WHY I'M HOT!

TimMay 22, 2007 at 1:01PM

My money is on Kelly Clarkson's new song. It kinda kicks ass. All the kids will be pumpin' it.

My personal pick is The White Stripes - Icky Thump.

LambMay 22, 2007 at 1:05PM

Rihanna's "Shut Up And Drive" is both theme-appropriate and just inane/repetitive enough to be a real contender.

http://cache.idolator.com/assets/resources/mp3/rishut.mp3

SamMay 22, 2007 at 1:06PM

Seconding D.A.N.C.E. by Justice!

allanMay 22, 2007 at 1:08PM

Justin Timberlake - Summer Love

How can this go overlooked :)

JodiMay 22, 2007 at 1:10PM

I agree with the Justice suggestion. Perhaps the B.E.A.T. remix.

It might be too house-y though. It's lacking that real addictive grab that a great pop song has.

Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape probably could've been it had the verses been half as solid as the excellent hook. It was also probably released a bit too early.

Rihanna - Umbrella's got the magic(?) Jay-Z touch. And some of the synths are beyond epic. But it doesn't seem to be everywhere... or anywhere actually.

RiazMay 22, 2007 at 1:14PM

2002 was certainlyHot in Herre - Nelly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_in_Herre

NickMay 22, 2007 at 1:18PM

Keeping in mind that it is 13 yr olds picking the summer song, and that most girl 20-somethings I know babysit those girls. I'd have to say "AvriL laVignE - GirLfrieNd" as typed in many myspace posts.

VinMay 22, 2007 at 1:23PM

If you can imagine the underpinnings of Depeche Mode, Bloc Party, Talking Heads, and The Cars all mashed into a coherent sound, I'd HIGHLY recommend the musical stylings of Kenna. The first single from his forthcoming album, Make Sure They See My Face (a play on the fact that he chose not to appear in any of the videos from his debut album) is entitled Out of Control (State of Emotion) and, to me at least, has all the characteristics of a summer hit, one that instills a severe desire to just hop in the car, windows down, and take a long drive sans destination.

A sampling that's Out of Control

You might recognize the Kenna name if you've ever read Blink. Malcolm Gladwell devoted an entire chapter to Kenna and how his first album, New Sacred Cow, bombed on the charts back in 2003 because record executives had problems categorizing Kenna's music, believing it to be unmarketable to the masses. This lack of initiative on the part of the label eventually kept this gem of an artist away from the ears of many who would've appreciated something that strayed from the norm. By all means, I urge you all dearest Kottke Lovers™, please do check out New Sacred Cow if you ever get the chance.

we don't careMay 22, 2007 at 1:30PM

i would agree that "Young Forks" is this year's summer anthem.

RexMay 22, 2007 at 1:45PM

Another idea: M.I.A.'s album comes out in late summer. I bet someone could leak a single in June that everyone goes crazy over.

bryanMay 22, 2007 at 1:54PM

Justice's D.A.N.C.E

sethMay 22, 2007 at 1:57PM

Isn't it a bit early to choose an anthem that captures the feel of the summer of 2007? Summer hasn't even started yet!

robMay 22, 2007 at 2:09PM

Fanfarlo, you are one of the few outsiders that understands us

http://www.myspace.com/fanfarlo

axelnielk88May 22, 2007 at 2:29PM

maroon 5's new song is gonna be huge!

JakeMay 22, 2007 at 2:46PM

It pains me to say this but I have a strong feeling that Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" is going to be/already is the song of the summer.

JanellMay 22, 2007 at 3:24PM

Oh, God Jake. Say it isn't so. You are probably right -- although the JT "Summer Love" is a close second.

The TaxiMay 22, 2007 at 3:35PM

Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" is like fingernails on chalkboards. Yes, multiple chalkboards.

Outside shots, but helping define my summer:
Keep the car running – Arcade fire
North American Scum - LCD Soundsystem
The Prayer - Bloc Party

ToddMay 22, 2007 at 3:40PM

Chemicals Collide, by Cloud Cult... or not.

Modest Mouse is DQ because of Float On in 2004.

FrostiMay 22, 2007 at 4:13PM

"So Real" by Jeff Buckley has my vote, a classic to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of his passing...

aaronMay 22, 2007 at 4:16PM

hot shot city, by david hasselhoff

timMay 22, 2007 at 4:21PM

I think it should be the Ratatat remix of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Party & Bullshit"

Mr. EffMay 22, 2007 at 4:38PM

What? No Pretty Ricky on anyone's list?

louisMay 22, 2007 at 5:06PM

Uffie - Pop the Glock

I highly doubt this song will be widespread by summer, mainly because she's up and coming, but the song is very worthy of being crowned song of.

DaveMay 22, 2007 at 5:07PM

5th for Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

ScottMay 22, 2007 at 6:58PM

Fergie's Glamorous, which I admit to actually liking, thanks to the Ludacris verse. For some reason I'm a total sucker for his guest appearances. I must have put Ciara's "Oh" on my on-the-go mixes a hundred times. And Usher's "Yeah!"

BrianMay 22, 2007 at 9:22PM

I wish Tim was right. Ratatat's Biggie Remix is rad. But you won't hear it coming out of every radio all over the place all the time.

I'll guess Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape, even though Jodi said no. ;)

RJMay 22, 2007 at 11:07PM

What world are you living in that "since you've been gone" was the song of the summer? That is pretty sad and I'm glad I don't live in it.

Mike ShineMay 23, 2007 at 2:09AM

how about that girlfriend song. you know the, Da, da, da da...

that seems to capture the zeitgiest.

adeMay 23, 2007 at 2:37AM

did everyone forget about Chamillionaire's "Ridin Dirty" ?

MarkMay 23, 2007 at 10:04AM

Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

stony_curtisMay 23, 2007 at 11:40AM

There's a song for *early* summer 2007 already:
Rihanna's 'Umbrella' by Ne-Yo and feat. Jay-Z is wickedly catchy, sexy, fun, and has a killer beat bulding to an unforgettable chorus. Ella ella, ey ey ey.

Video of Rihanna's 'Umbrella' feat. Jay-Z

Adam PolselliMay 23, 2007 at 11:41AM

My vote is for "Summer Love" by Justin Timberlake. It's just too perfect, and extremely catchy. Everyone I know that hears it loves it.

KurtMay 23, 2007 at 11:53AM

I agree, it's Rihanna's "Umbrella." It's only just starting to break and will be all over the place come June. The first two listens it sounds like nothing, by the third it's all you'll want to hear.

RachelMay 23, 2007 at 1:34PM

RJ, it's not that Kelly Clarkson song. It's the very new one on the yet-to-be-released album ("Never Again.")

MattMay 23, 2007 at 4:02PM

I'm going to bet a quarter with the faceless internet masses that it will be something off Kanye's album if it drops in time. Maybe the Daft Punk single I've been hearing about. (I also think "Watch The Tapes" by LCD Soundsystem could make an awesome summer jam.. it's got "woohoo"s)

What was last year, Crazy by Gnarls Barkley?

EmMay 24, 2007 at 2:02AM

last year...Crazy by Gnarls Barkley for sure.....

very close runners up...

Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous Girl....Panic! at the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies...Shakira - Hips Don't Lie

BelgandMay 24, 2007 at 9:33AM

I'm only 25, but I'm completely unfamiliar with any of the songs you mentioned in the original post.

Perhaps it's because I don't listen to top 40 radio and Tivo allows me to ignore the vast majority of ads. Thus my exposure to many of these songs is severely minimized.

JaaykoMay 24, 2007 at 2:11PM

aha I want it to be Jack Penate - Spit at stars =D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TJOjIgxxWY&NR=1

JaaykoMay 24, 2007 at 2:18PM

Or or or Enter Shikari - Jonny Sniper ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsbw8gmejX8

Yer that one Instead!!!

Felipe G.May 25, 2007 at 2:07AM

CSS will be kicking 2007's summer!! they've been making huge success in festivals lately, including a great participation at Coachella.. and they are featured in NME this week.

It is very hard to choose one song.. Alala, Patins, Music is my hot hot sex and Meeting Paris Hilton are my favorites..

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.