Popcast What Was the Song of This Summer? Amelia Dimoldenberg, Zohran Mamdani, Questlove & More Share Their Picks
Aug 27, 2025
What makes a song truly the anthem of summer? The hosts chat about its personal and cultural significance, exploring how tastes vary wildly today. They dive into picks from prominent figures, mixing nostalgia with contemporary hits like Justin Bieber's 'Daisies' and Jamie XX's 'Dream Night.' Personal stories add depth, while playful humor highlights choices like 'The Sofa' by Wolf Alice and even speculates on NYC mayoral candidates' favorites. It's a vibrant celebration of music, memories, and the essence of summer vibes!
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Song-Of-The-Summer Fragmentation
- The song-of-the-summer concept has weakened as culture fragmented across streaming, TikTok snippets, and ideological silos.
- John Caramanica argues songs now serve scenes or personal worlds rather than a single, universal zeitgeist.
Treat 'Song' Pieces As Documentation
- Treat 'song of the summer' pieces as useful cultural documentation, not definitive judgments.
- Use rankings, countdowns, and retrospective looks to capture moments without overclaiming universality.
Taylor Rooks' Nostalgic Pick
- Taylor Rooks picked Justin Bieber's 'Daisies' as her summer song and called it nostalgic and replayable.
- She praised Bieber's voice and the song's catchy, repeat-listening quality.