In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve been a little obsessed with summer music this week. We’ve waxed nostalgic about the best summer songs ever. We even asked you which tunes put you in a warm weather state of mind. But we have not been so bold as to declare a winner for the title of "Song of Summer 2008" (Memorial Day was only a few days ago for goodness’ sake!). But the prognosticators over at New York Magazine have done just that. Before we open the envelope, let’s take a look at the nominees:
1. Rihanna’s "Take a Bow"
2. Leona Lewis’ "Bleeding Love"
3. Lil Wayne’s "Lollipop"
4. Usher’s "Love in This Club"
5. Coldplay’s "Violet Hill"
6. New Kids on the Block’s "Summertime"
7. T.I.’s "No Matter What"
8. Estelle’s "American Boy"
Drum roll please…
On the prospect of her song being "added to playlists at Uniqlo, Old Navy, Chico’s, and Starbucks" and being used as a "N.Y. Times op-ed headline pun," Lewis (pictured) makes it to the top of New York’s wacky prediction chart. Poor NKOTB! ("Jordan’s and Donnie’s hip replacement surgeries impede single’s promotion.")
I’m no musical prodigy, heck, I’ve hardly touched my flute since12th grade band, but I know what I like when I hear it. And if the 263play counts Lewis’ ditty has racked up in my iTunes library are anyindication, I’m on the cusp of declaring the tune my summer soundtrackas well (though Bryn Christopher’s soon-to-be released single"Quest" — featured in the Grey’s Anatomy finale — is gaining momentum. Seriously, check this soulful, Amy Winehouse-esque track out!).
What’s your verdict, PopWatchers? Do you agree that "Bleeding Love" is this summer’s "Umbrella" (-ella, -ella)? Do you think one of the other nominees should have won? Or do you have another nomination for the season’s top spot?
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My vote is for Coldplay’s “Violet Hill.” Love the song, love the band.
I just caved and bought Leona Lewis’s whole album. Bleeding Love is def the song of the summer.
Huh? “Bleeding Love” has been around for months. There will be bigger summer songs to come.
My brother and I are completely obsessed with “Love in This Club.” It’s swirly and sexy and Usher is just so smooth. Maybe not a classic but a great summer song.
It’s too early to call “song of the summer”. Bleeding love was huge, but its on its way out and the kids aren’t even out of school yet. American Boy is on its way up, but I don’t know that it has “monster hit” potential a la Umbrella or Buy U a Drank. My prediction for song of the summer: I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry.
These songs suck!!! I don’t remember the last decent new song Ive heard. I’ll just keep listening to my collection of songs from years past.
These songs suck!!! I don’t remember the last decent new song Ive heard. I’ll just keep listening to my collection of songs from years past.
“Bleeding Love” should win this title: Most Overrated Song of the Year. IMO the Coldplay song is the best one listed, pretty much everything else just bores me. Honorable mention goes to Estelle though, American Boy is at least memorable. Where is Weezer? Death Cab For Cutie?
I think “Bleeding Love” has been out too long to be a song of the summer. It’s going to be fading away from here on out. So is “Love In This Club.” ” Take a Bow” doesn’t seem like a big enough song to be the song of the summer. I love Coldplay’s “Violet Hill” but it’s not the type of a song to be a song of the summer etiher. I like the New Kids song too, but hey, they’re not hip with the young crowd so count that out. So who knows what will end up being the song of the summer
“Bleeding Love” has been around for too long already to be a summer song. “Love in this Club” comes closest but my vote goes to “Mercy” by Duffy. Its getting play on just about every radio station out there and whenever I hear it I just want to turn up the volume.
I vote for 4 Minutes- Madonna and Justin Timberlake as song of the summer
I’ll second the vote for Duffy’s “Mercy”. I just bought the album and am loving it.
I agree with Anne. “Mercy” by Duffy has a good shot at being the song of the summer. Like many have already said, the song of the summer should come out DURING the summer.
I go with either “Mercy” or “I Kissed a Girl”.
I like songs of the summer to be about the summer! Weird, right? Like the classic song “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince. I STILL love that song, and it’s been 17 years now.
I hate bleeding love sounds like a reject from the eighties that taylor dayne would sing back then. please no make that song stop. I like mercy also it makes me dance
Another vote for “Mercy” by Duffy. Her whole album is great.
I agree with the rest of you–”Bleeding Love” is already on its way out.
As far as I’m concerned, the song of summer should be “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. But I don’t listen to the radio, so I don’t know if it’s getting a lot of play or not.
Most of the songs on this list look horrible.
to gingercat: I love that song by jason mraz it is awesome. I heard it a couple of times on the radio but it is not played enough that is for sure. I have been listening to my ipod more and more. the radio is terrible these days.
I agree with most, Bleeding Love has been around for way too many months. It’s dated. I think Usher’s “Love in this club” is a candidate, as is “mercy” by Duffy. I’m playing out “No Matter What” by TI though. That song is great.
I agree that Bleeding Love is way overrated and should do us all a favor and bleed out so that we can stop hearing it non-stop. I’d vote for Love in this Club or Mercy or anything other than 4 minutes (to save the world) or Bleeding Love. Both have to go!!
I was surprised to see “Bleeding Love” on the list because it’s been out for so long. I love the song but I’ve been dancing to it at the bars for a while now. It’s gotta be “Love in this Club”–Usher’s just getting started this summer.
While I agree “Bleeding Love” was too early a release and is onits way out to be a summer song, many forget that “Umbrella” ddebuted i April/May time and had legs. As for the list, “Take a Bow” is just bland, and “Love in This Club” is onits way out. I’m predicting a new release from Madonna or Mariah (except Bye Bye) will take the title. I’ve heard both albums and both have the potential.
Mariah’s Migrate will be a summer song contender for sure!
I’m sure Beyonce will sneak something in even though she said she wouldn’t but a year later we are still pattin our weaves and doing the scissor leg!
If Madonna would release “Give It To Me” I think that would be a great song.
I second Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” as song of the summer. Agreed -”Bleeding Love” is WAY over-rated along with Madonna’s “4 Minutes.” Buh-bye to both.
Summer only started a nanosecond ago and we’ve already crowned a winner? I better put up that Christmas tree now. P.S. Santogold’s “L.E.S. Artistes” is a great song to match the whole album.
No joke, I was just listening to this song a second before reading this and my exact thought was “This song is this year’s ‘Umbrella’” (which turned out to be the Song of Year after it conquered the summer). FREAKY.
Lollipop! Lollipop! It’s so dirty but catchy.
Also, Damaged by Danity Kane is such a fun and catchy dance song that it gets me going in the car!
I love Coldplay and Usher and all types of music, but these are my current faves. I have to change Bleeding Love now- so played out…already!
Anyone else think Flyleaf’s “All Around Me” is a good summer driving song?