Thursday marks the official start of the summer season. Now that the sun's at its highest altitude – elongating our days, deepening our tans, amplifying our excuses for an extra round of post-work drinks – it's time to nominate a song of the summer. We're talking about the groovy, fun-loving single that adds an extra bounce to your step. The one you repeat-listen to on your long morning commute, even skipping over your daily news briefing just to hit the chorus one more time. After all, Steve Inskeep can wait – right?
On the charts Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin's "I Like It" is ramping up to be Billboard's official song of the summer — and it's well deserved. But here at NPR Music, we've decided to give you some options. There's no secret formula, no algorithm that determines the optimal hip-hop to electro-pop ratio, no special preference for a funk-inflected bass. Just our tastes, and the songs that we think will tide us through the heat.
So take a listen. If you're craving more, come back Friday to see our crowdsourced playlist of your favorite summer songs.
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