Songs of the Season: A Top DJ’s Top Songs of Summer 2024
Say goodbye to summer with these nine songs!
As we celebrate the unofficial end of the season and help you plan a relaxing long weekend, what’s better than a playlist of this year’s songs of summer? One that’s been curated by a top DJ, that’s what! Mike Adam, a correspondent for MTV and a voice of New York’s NEW 102.7 radio, has queued up an aural scrapbook of summer 2024. Click over to the Wondercade Spotify account to download it. Rock on.
1. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey
The song interpolates J-Kwon’s “Tipsy,” so there’s that instant familiarity…and who knew it would make such a good country song?! The hook is infectious. “A Bar Song” makes you want to raise your glass in celebration of summer. Just a feel-good party anthem, and the perfect backdrop to fuzzy summer memories.
2. “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter
This song feels like summer. And the music video is, quite literally, summer. Sabrina Carpenter’s 1970s, disco-inspired bop is cut from the same cloth as “Say So” from Doja Cat. “Espresso” has done extremely well at Top 40 and Hot AC radio formats. And who knew the line “I’m working late, ‘cause I’m a singer” would be such a hit?!
3. “Illusion” by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s “Houdini” is a tough act to follow, but with “Illusion” she delivers another perfect dance track for single #3 off Radical Optimism. My fellow Albanian has perfected pop ear candy. Every melody is burned into your brain immediately. Dua Lipa is to my endorphins what Adele is to my ugly cry.
4. “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
Posty is all in when it comes to the country genre — from the high-profile F-1 Trillion features to trading in his cornrows for cowboy hats, “White Iverson” has fully transformed. “I Had Some Help” is as pop as a country song can get. The chorus alone makes this song worthy of everyone’s summer cookout playlist.
5. “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan
This song sounds like it belongs in a Stranger Things episode: 2024 ‘80s synth-pop at its best. The song is bright and uplifting, despite the lyrical content, and would totally enhance anyone’s day at the beach. Chappell is a force to be reckoned with. The secret is out…but don’t worry, yes, you’re still cooler than your friends for knowing about her first.
6. “Million Dollar Baby” by Tommy Richman
“Million Dollar Baby” exploded on TikTok, giving radio no choice but to add it to the rotation. The song gives off funk/R&B vibes and has a nostalgic element to it. It feels familiar…like an early-2000s hit that you forgot about but then rediscovered on one of those Instagram accounts dedicated to highlighting throwback hits. It’s the perfect song to roll the car window down to on a warm summer night.
7. “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
Not only did K-Dot put the nail in Drake’s coffin with this one, but he created a HUGE hit at the same time…which, if you know the history of rap beef tracks, rarely happens. Diss tracks usually appear on mixtapes, not at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Mustard gifted Kendrick with a catchy but menacing beat, and once Mr. Lamar slapped that hook on there?! Forget about it. It’s impossible to NOT like this song.
8. “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone
Is Benson Boone’s mustache a good luck charm?! It sure seems that way. Ever since the ‘stache came into the picture, Benson has seen major success on the charts and streaming. “Beautiful Things” offers up raspy, passionate vocals with a chorus crescendo so good that it forces you to crank up the volume just before it every single time.
9. “Too Sweet” by Hozier
This song did NOT make its way onto Unreal Unearth, but thankfully Hozier decided to put the unreleased track onto his latest EP, appropriately titled Unheard. Even in the summer heat, you can’t help but feel cool listening to this song. It almost has a Foster the People or MGMT vibe to it…genre-bending, with a carefree feel. And as we all know, carefree is synonymous with summer.
