“Song of the summer” is a term coined by Gen Z music lovers and can be defined as a song that seems to be the most popular during the summer months.
Over the years, this song has ranged from “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen in 2023 (Spotify); “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, and “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen in 2024 (Rolling Stone); and “Ordinary” by Alex Warren in 2025 (Spotify).
The question now is: what is the 2026 song of the summer? Here is what students at Keene State had to say.
After 12 interviews, there was no repeat of one song of the summer; however, a common trend was that most students did not have a specific reason for their song; they just liked it and happened to listen to it a lot during the summer.
Starting with the only candidate for President of Class of 2030, Noah Schooley, he said “Caress Me Down” by Sublime would be his song of the summer because of the “reggae vibe and the drums.”
First-year Alexis Mingolla said her song of the summer would be “My Way” by Olivia Rodrigo off of her newest album You Seem Pretty Sad For a Girl So In Love that came out this past June because she “had it playing a lot.”
A member of the E-board of Keene State’s Film Society, senior Cait Erban, who is also a construction management major, said her song of the summer would be “Fourth of July” by Fallout Boy because she “only listens to it in the summer” so it “only sounds good in the summer.”
Kaitlyn Antrim, who is a first-year criminal justice major, said her most played song over the summer was “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac.
A first-year film major, Parker Irving, said “Chlorine” by Twenty One Pilots is “a fun song” and he “listens to it all the time,” so it would be his song of the summer.
Sophomore Corbin Sanders, who is an acting major, said “Becoming the Lastnames” by Will Wood is his song of the summer because he “likes how the music built up” in the song.
“Fly Over States” by Jason Aldean was first-year business management major Joey Lezon’s song of the summer because it is “just a good song.”
Drayden Nyambo, a first-year physical education major who is also a member of the men’s club soccer team at Keene State, said his song of the summer is “Classic” by Drake.
Music education major and sophomore Luke Steele said “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers is his song of the summer for “no particular reason” other than he “just likes the song.”
A member of the swim team, Evelyn Vogel, who is also a first-year anthropology major, said “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand was her song of the summer because “it’s a banger, bro.”
Julia Hodsdon, a music composition major who is a second-semester first-year, said “Locals (Girls like us)” by Underscores is her song of the summer because “it’s just awesome music.”
Psychology major Anthony Hoffman, who is a sophomore and also a member of the E-board of Keene State’s Film Society, said “Kutmuziek” by Joost is his song of the summer “just because.”
It seems like this year, the “song of the summer” came down to personal preference rather than a crowd favorite. There was a wide variety of genres and artists KSC students liked this summer, and most were picked just for the vibes.
Alex Perry can be contacted at
alex.perry@keene.edu
