Hey there music lovers! Are you ready to take a trip down memory lane and relive the hottest hits of the summer from the 2010s? From Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” to Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” the 2010s were filled with catchy tunes that dominated the airwaves and had us dancing all season long. But which songs truly stand out as the ultimate bangers of the decade? We’ve done the research and crunched the numbers to bring you the definitive ranking of the top songs of the summer from the 2010s.
We know, we know- it’s tough to choose just a handful of songs that define an entire decade of pool parties, BBQs, and beach trips. But don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you. After hours of research (aka blasting the hits and reminiscing on the good old days with our spreadsheets open), we’ve compiled this ultimate ranking of the top summer songs of the 2010s. So whether you want to relive the glory days or just want to see what you’ve been missing out on, get ready to turn up the volume and let these bangers take you back to a simpler time.
So grab your sunscreen and your headphones, because it’s time to soak up the sunshine and the sweet sounds of summer.
2010 – Katy Perry – California Gurls (featuring Snoop Dogg)
California Gurls” is all about the laid-back, carefree lifestyle of the Golden State. Katy Perry sings about the sunny beaches, the fun in the sun, and the beautiful people who call California home. The lyrics are lighthearted and playful, painting a picture of California as a paradise where anything is possible. The chorus of the song features the hook “California gurls, we’re unforgettable,” which celebrates the uniqueness and attractiveness of the women of California. The verse sections of the song describe all the cool stuff you can do in the state, from soaking up the sun to partying the night away. “California Gurls” is a fun and joyful song that celebrates the laid-back, carefree spirit of the Golden State.
The song was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Perry’s energetic vocals. The accompanying music video, which was directed by Mathew Cullen and features Perry and Snoop Dogg in a colorful, candy-filled world, also gained widespread attention and became a hit on YouTube.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Eminem – Love The Way You Lie (featuring Rihanna)
3. B.o.B – Airplanes (featuring Hayley Williams)
4. Usher – OMG (featuring will.i.am)
5. Taio Cruz – Dynamite
2011 – LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem (featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock)
“Party Rock Anthem” is all about turning up and having a good time. The song’s lyrics are filled with catchy phrases and slogans that encourage you to let loose and have fun. Whether you’re dancing in a club or partying at a house party, this song is sure to get you in the mood to let go and have a good time.
The chorus of the song features the hook “Everyday I’m shufflin’,” which encourages you to dance and let go of your inhibitions. The verse sections of the song describe various aspects of the party lifestyle, including the music, the lights, and the energy of the crowd. The lyrics also encourage you to embrace your wild side and let go of your worries, and to just enjoy the moment and have a good time.
“Party Rock Anthem” is meant to evoke a sense of joy and freedom, and to encourage you to let go and have a good time. So, if you’re in the mood to party, this song is the perfect anthem to get you pumped and ready to go!
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Adele – Rolling In The Deep
3. Pitbull – Give Me Everything (featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer)
4. Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
5. Nicki Minaj – Super Bass
2012 – Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
“Call Me Maybe” is a song by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen, released as the lead single from her EP, “Curiosity,” on September 20, 2011 (and didn’t blow up until the following summer).
“Call Me Maybe” is a catchy, upbeat pop song that is all about the excitement and uncertainty of a new crush. The song’s lyrics describe the feeling of falling for someone and wondering if they feel the same way. The chorus of the song features the hook “I just met you, and this is crazy, but here’s my number, so call me maybe,” which captures the excitement and nervousness of the early stages of a relationship.
The verse sections of the song describe various aspects of the crush experience, including the butterflies, the sleepless nights, and the longing to be with the person you’re attracted to. The lyrics also encourage you to take a chance and let your feelings be known, even if it means risking rejection. The song also features a prominent use of synthesizers and electronic beats.
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Jepsen’s energetic vocals. The accompanying music video, which features Jepsen and her friends lip syncing to the song and acting out the lyrics, also gained widespread attention. “Call Me Maybe” has since become one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 18 million copies sold worldwide.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Maroon 5 – Payphone (featuring Wiz Khalifa)
3. Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (featuring Kimbra)
4. Ellie Goulding – Lights
5. Katy Perry – Wide Awake
2013 – Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines (featuring Pharrell Williams and T.I.)
“Blurred Lines” is a song by American singer Robin Thicke, featuring guest vocals from Pharrell Williams and rapper T.I. It was released as the lead single from Thicke’s sixth studio album, “Blurred Lines,” on March 26, 2013. “Blurred Lines” is an upbeat, funk-inspired pop song that features a prominent use of falsetto vocals and a catchy, repetitive chorus.
“Blurred Lines” is a song that tackles the tricky topic of love and lust, and the blurred lines that can sometimes arise between the two. The song’s lyrics describe the struggle to figure out what someone really wants, and the confusion that can come with trying to navigate relationships. The chorus of the song features the hook “Blurred lines, I know you want it,” which captures the ambiguity and uncertainty of trying to read someone’s intentions. The verse sections of the song describe the push and pull, the give and take, and the general chaos that can come with trying to figure out where you stand with someone. The lyrics also encourage you to let go of your inhibitions and embrace your desires, even if it means taking a risk.
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Thicke’s smooth vocals. However, the song also faced controversy and criticism for its lyrics and themes, with some accusing it of objectifying women.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us (featuring Ray Dalton)
3. Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
4. Daft Punk – Get Lucky (featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers)
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
2014 – Iggy Azalea – Fancy (featuring Charli XCX)
“Fancy” is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, featuring guest vocals from British singer Charli XCX. It was released as the lead single from Azalea’s debut studio album, “The New Classic,” on February 17, 2014.
Fancy” is a catchy, upbeat rap song that is all about confidence and style and that features a catchy, repetitive chorus and a prominent use of electronic beats and synthesizers. The song’s lyrics describe the feeling of living the high life and embracing your inner diva, and they encourage you to embrace your own unique style and to let your personality shine. The chorus of the song features the hook “I’m so fancy, you already know,” which celebrates the feeling of being fabulous and confident. The verse sections of the song describe various aspects of the high life, including the designer clothes, the fancy cars, and the lavish parties.
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Azalea’s confident delivery. “Fancy” has since been certified quintuple platinum in the United States, and has been recognized as one of the biggest and most influential songs of the 2010s.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Ariana Grande – Problem (featuring Iggy Azalea)
3. MAGIC! – Rude
4. John Legend – All Of Me
5. Sam Smith – Stay With Me
2015 – Wiz Khalifa – See You Again (featuring Charlie Puth)
“See You Again” is a song by American rapper Wiz Khalifa, featuring guest vocals from American singer Charlie Puth. It was released as a single on March 10, 2015, and later appeared on the soundtrack for the action film “Furious 7.” The song was written by Khalifa, Puth, and DJ Frank E, and produced by Puth and DJ Frank E.
“See You Again” is a sentimental, emotional ballad that pays tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who died in a car accident in 2013. The song features a piano-based instrumental and Puth’s soulful vocals on the chorus, which consist of the lines “It’s been a long day without you, my friend / And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.” The song’s lyrics talk about missing someone who has passed away and looking forward to seeing them again someday. The verse sections of the song describe various aspects of the grief and loss experience, including the memories, the pain, and the feeling of missing someone. The lyrics also offer words of comfort and hope, and encourage listeners to find solace in the memories of their loved one.
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its emotional and sentimental themes and Puth’s powerful vocals. “See You Again” has since become one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Omi – Cheerleader
3. Fetty Wap – Trap Queen
4. The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face
5. Taylor Swift – Bad Blood (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
2016 – Drake – One Dance (featuring WizKid and Kyla)
“One Dance” is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring guest vocals from Nigerian singer WizKid and British singer Kyla. It was released as a single on April 5, 2016, and later appeared on Drake’s fourth studio album, “Views.” The song was written by Drake, WizKid, and Kyla, and produced by Nineteen85, WizKid, and Noah “40” Shebib.
“One Dance” is an upbeat, dancehall-inspired pop song that features a catchy, repetitive. The lyrics of the song talk about dancing and having a good time, and include lines such as “Baby, I like your style / Grips on your waist / Front way, back way / You know that I don’t play.” The song’s chorus consists of the lines “Baby, I like your style / Grips on your waistline / Doing it for the thrill of it, killin’ it.”
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Drake’s smooth vocals. The accompanying music video, which features Drake and WizKid dancing in a variety of colorful, vibrant settings. “One Dance” has since become one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling!
3. Desiigner – Panda
4. The Chainsmokers – Don’t Let Me Down (featuring Daya)
5. Sia – Cheap Thrills (featuring Sean Paul)
2017 – Luis Fonsi – Despacito (Remix) (featuring Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber)
“Despacito” is a song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, featuring guest vocals from Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee. It was released as a single on January 13, 2017, and later appeared on Fonsi’s ninth studio album, “Vida.”
Despacito” is a catchy, upbeat dance song that is all about the romance and passion of a new relationship. The song’s lyrics describe the feeling of falling for someone and the desire to take things slow and savor the moment, and they encourage listeners to embrace the excitement and intensity of new love. The chorus of the song celebrates the feeling of falling for someone and wanting to see them dance.
The verse sections of the song describe various aspects of the romance experience, including the butterflies, the sleepless nights, and the longing to be with the person you’re attracted to. The lyrics also encourage listeners to embrace the intensity and passion of new love, and to take things slow and savor the moment.
Justin Bieber became involved with the song “Despacito” after the original version of the song, which was performed solely in Spanish by Luis Fonsi, became a massive global hit. In response to the song’s success, Bieber expressed an interest in collaborating with Fonsi on a remix of the song that would feature both Spanish and English lyrics.
Fonsi agreed to the collaboration, and the two artists worked together to create a new version of the song that incorporated both languages. The result was the “Despacito” remix, which featured Bieber singing the song’s chorus and verse sections in English, while Fonsi sang the rest of the song in Spanish. The remix was released in April 2017 and became an even bigger hit than the original version, reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries around the world.
Overall, Justin Bieber’s involvement in the “Despacito” remix helped to introduce the song to a wider audience and contributed to its massive global success.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like
3. DJ Khaled – I’m The One (featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne)
4. Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You
5. DJ Khaled – Wild Thoughts (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller)
2018 – Cardi B – I Like It (featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin)
“I Like It” is a song by American rapper Cardi B, featuring guest vocals from Latin trap singers Bad Bunny and J Balvin. It was released as a single on May 25, 2018, and later appeared on Cardi B’s debut studio album, “Invasion of Privacy.” The song was written by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and a number of other songwriters, and produced by J White Did It.
“I Like It” is an upbeat, Latin trap-inspired hip hop song that features a catchy, repetitive chorus and a prominent use of Latin rhythms and percussion. The lyrics of the song talk about self-confidence, independence, and enjoying life, and include lines such as “I like dollars, I like diamonds, I like stunting, I like shining.” The song’s chorus consists of the lines “I like it like that / You gotta believe me when I tell you / I said I like it like that.”
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Cardi B’s energetic delivery. “I Like It” has since been certified quintuple platinum in the United States and has won a number of awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Maroon 5 – Girls Like You (featuring Cardi B)
3. Drake – In My Feelings
4. Drake – Nice For What
5. Post Malone – Psycho (featuring Ty Dolla $ign)
2019 – Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Remix) (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus)
“Old Town Road” is a song by American rapper and singer Lil Nas X, released as a single on December 3, 2018. The song was written by Lil Nas X, produced by YoungKio, and features a guest verse from American country star Billy Ray Cyrus.
“Old Town Road” is an upbeat, country-rap song. The song’s chorus consists of the lines “I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more / I’m gonna take this road to the old town road / I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more / I’m gonna take this road to the old town road.”
“Old Town Road” is a song by Lil Nas X that became a massive global hit in 2019. The song was originally released independently in December 2018, and it gained popularity on the social media platform TikTok, where users created videos set to the song’s catchy melody and humorous lyrics.
As the song’s popularity grew, Lil Nas X caught the attention of mainstream media and was eventually signed to a major record label. It was re-released in April 2019 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, becoming the longest-running number-one single in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy chorus and Lil Nas X’s energetic delivery. The accompanying music video, which features Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus riding horses through a variety of colorful, surreal settings, also gained widespread attention and became a hit on YouTube. “Old Town Road” has since become one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide. It has also won a number of awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
The other top songs of the summer for this year are as follows (based on data):
2. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
3. Shawn Mendes – Señorita (featuring Camila Cabello)
4. Khalid – Talk (featuring Disclosure)
5. Ed Sheeran – I Don’t Care (featuring Justin Bieber)
Summer-y Summary
Well, there you have it- the definitive ranking of the top summer songs of the 2010s! We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane and that these tunes have brought back some fond memories (or at least made you want to dance). But let’s be real, this list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible music that graced our ears during the 2010s. So don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper and discover some new (old) favorites.
Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you for the next series!
