As summer days stretch out, long and languorous, listeners across the Northern Hemisphere reach for the perfect songs to soundtrack the season. Spotify’s Songs of Summer tradition chronicles that journey—from early predictions to a midseason wild card update, and finally, the big end-of-summer reveal.
For the second year in a row, Spotify’s global editorial team is unveiling not just one song, but a list of five tracks that collectively define this season. Why? Because the ways we listen are evolving, and summer’s soundtrack is more personal and global than ever. These picks blend streaming data, cultural impact, and editorial insight to capture what truly resonates.
This year, it’s all about the mood: The 2025 Top 5 brings a softer, more introspective vibe than any summer in the last decade. Across the Northern Hemisphere, it was also the least danceable and lowest-energy summer for music, based on Spotify data analyzing the tempos, rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall regularity of top summer tracks.*
Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of Summer 2025
Listed alphabetically by artist first name
“Ordinary” by Alex Warren
“Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix” by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea
“Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae
“Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter
“back to friends” by sombr
Introspective anthems and global discoveries
Spotify’s Songs of Summer 2025 confirm what listeners likely already know: This year’s soundtrack feels different. Breakout artists like Alex Warren, Ravyn Lenae, and sombr peppered playlists that traded carefree anthems for songs that felt personal, vulnerable, and emotionally charged, both lyrically and sonically.
At the same time, this summer’s soundtrack is as international as it is introspective. The infectious “Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix” by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea charted on Spotify’s Top 50 in more than 45 countries, while artists like Ravyn and sombr found global audiences with hits that reflected the season’s deeper feelings.
A closer look at the Top 5
“Ordinary” by Alex Warren
Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” didn’t just top the charts—it became the most-streamed song of the summer on Spotify, cementing his leap to global superstardom. Warren’s heartfelt love letter to his wife set the tone for a summer steeped in lovestruck pop, soundtracking wedding ceremonies and celebrations everywhere.
Summer streaming peak: June 12, the day after Warren teased his single “On My Mind.”
“Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix” by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea
This celebratory dancehall anthem ignited parties, parades, and playlists worldwide. Infectious in both lyrics and production, it’s a high-energy highlight in a summer of more mellow moods. And with carnival season still going, it’s not done yet.
Global reach: Charted in Spotify’s Top 50 in more than 45 countries, including Belgium, France, Ghana, Jamaica, Netherlands, and Singapore; hit No. 1 in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae
Ravyn Lenae found her long-awaited international breakthrough this summer with “Love Me Not.” This standout from her 2024 album Bird’s Eye brings a warm, nostalgic groove that feels like a hazy summer evening, with lyrics that reflect on love’s insecurities.
Career milestone: All-time streaming high on July 18, the same week Ravyn scored her first Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 and headlined Spotify’s Songs of Summer party in Los Angeles.
“Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter
After last summer’s undeniable hit “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter returned with a sharp, cheeky track that flipped the script. “Manchild” balances vulnerability and bite, demonstrating Carpenter’s pop staying power for a second summer in a row.
Chart run: 25 consecutive days at No. 1 on Spotify’s US Daily Top Songs after its June 5 release.
“back to friends” by sombr
An unexpected anthem in a season of feeling, “back to friends” sent sombr’s monthly listeners soaring from 8 million at the start of the year to 54 million and counting. With stripped-back production and emotionally raw lyrics, the track struck a chord globally.
Streaming peak: Highest streaming day ever on August 8.
The season’s not over yet
This year’s Songs of Summer reveal isn’t just a list—it’s a snapshot of a season where listeners leaned into softer sounds, deeper feelings, and global discoveries. Queue up our Songs of Summer 2025 playlist to soak up every last moment.
*Analysis of Spotify’s Global Top 50 from May 1 to August 31 over the past 10 years by average energy and danceability—a measure of how suitable a track is for dancing based on tempo, rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall regularity.
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