CNN 5 Things
CNN 5 Things
CNN Podcasts
What Happened to the Song of the Summer?
15 minutes Posted Sep 7, 2026 at 8:30 am.
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We’re closing out the summer on a high note! We asked you to let us know what you think the song of the summer is, and it turns out, the classics can still compete with this year’s biggest hits. CNN contributor and “Engagement Party” co-host Ari Shapiro traces how the song of the summer became a cultural phenomenon – and why today’s mix of country, rap, pop and throwbacks may mean our musical tastes are expanding, not dividing us. 
 
Listen to the Engagement Party episode on the song of the summer here. 
Here are the songs that shaped your summer: 
My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na  
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff - Summertime  
AR/CO, Kasango, and Shimza – Fire Fire 
Rudy Currence – Compliment  
 The Rolling Stones - Angry 
(No Artist Listed) - Constant Cadence 
Sky Ferreira – Everything Is Embarrassing  
Shakira - Dai Dai  
Yung Miami – Spend Dat 
RAYE – Where Is My Husband! 
Zac Brown Band – Pirates & Parrots 
Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas 
Chic – Good Times 
Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun 
Sister Sledge – We Are Family 
Seals & Crofts – Summer Breeze 
The Beginning of the End - Funky Nassau 
Martha and the Vandellas - Dancing in the Street 
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - Find Your People  
Stephanie Mills – Put Your Body In It 
Drake – Janice STFU 
DJ Ilham - Digidi Digidi   
Scott Helman – Mr. Record Label 
RAYE – Joy 
Bill Stiteler / The Saxboy – The Puerto Rico Song 
Master KG - Jerusalema 
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