SUMMER JAMS
Top contenders for the season’s hottest song
Not since 1987, when Los Lobos' cover of “La Bamba” took on hits by Madonna, Michael Jackson, U2 and Whitney Houston, has the Song of the Summer battle been so curious. The obvious front-runner is Luis Fonsi and his tune “Despacito.” The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer's hit with Daddy Yankee has crushed competitors such as Kendrick Lamar's “Humble” and Bruno Mars' “That's What I Like.”
But can Fonsi hold on and keep the crown?
To get technical: Yes!
Of course, he will have challengers. We've outlined the best ones in our Song of the Summer rundown.
“Despacito”
Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber
The Spanish-language tune has already spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and has only become more popular since Biebs dropped in for a remix. The salsa-inflected song has also topped the charts throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America. No shock there. The surprise? It's hit No. 1 in Australia, Canada, France, Croatia, Israel, Malaysia and a dozen more countries. Shot
at the title: 1 in 2.
“Feels”
Calvin Harris, with Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean
If you're going to go after “Despacito,” you need platinum talent. Producer Harris did a nice job with Pharrell, Katy and Big Sean. He added his talent to a breezy pop song that is the sonic equivalent
of a pina colada served poolside at 5 p.m. in Vegas. Shot at the title: 1 in 10.
“Versace on the Floor”
Bruno Mars “That's What I Like” is Mars' song today. Tomorrow it will be “Versace on the Floor.” Neither ballad or club thumper, this mid-tempo groove is a long shot — who wants mid-tempo in the summer? Gen Xers missing Lionel Richie and millennials discovering LR for the first time, that's who. Expect the retro-flavored pop tune to hit the Top 10 in August. Shot at the title: 1 in 20.
“Body Like a Back Road”
Sam Hunt
Proving country can be mixed with anything (hip-hop, Island rhythms, retro-soul), “Body Like a Back Road” works hard to appeal to everyone. Some will think it can't find a sound (or can, and that sound is awful). Others — like millions of others — will think it belongs on their summer playlists with everything from Luis Fonsi and Jack Johnson, Zac Brown and Haim. Shot at the title: 1 in 25.
“Here Come the Girls”
Trombone Shorty
Hate all these songs so far? I can't say I blame you. None captures the glorious cheese of summer pop like “Call Me Maybe,” “Party Rock Anthem” or even “Macarena.” To find something fun (but with heart and soul), look to New Orleans' Trombone Shorty. Written by the late Crescent City legend Allen Toussaint in 1970, “Here Come the Girls” has become a hot-fun-in-the-summertime, booty-shaking anthem in Shorty's hands. Shot at the title: 1 in 100.