Switched on Pop's Charlie Harding and Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos debate whether the concept of the 'song of the summer' is fading. They discuss the history of this idea, the evolution of music trends, and the challenges faced by artists in the current industry landscape.
The concept of a universal 'Song of the Summer' is fading due to diverse music consumption habits and genres.
Artist success now relies heavily on building loyal fanbases and community support amidst a changing music industry landscape.
Deep dives
Decline of the Song of the Summer
The podcast discusses the decline of the 'Song of the Summer' phenomenon over the years. It reflects on past summer hits like 'Old Town Road' and highlights a shift in music consumption and cultural impact, indicating a move away from a universal 'Song of the Summer'.
Evolution of Music Consumption
The episode explores how music consumption has evolved, emphasizing a fragmented media landscape influenced by streaming services, niche interests, and algorithm-driven playlists. It compares album sales from different eras and notes a diverse range of genres and artists dominating the charts.
Importance of Fanbase and Artist Development
The podcast delves into the significance of fanbases in artist success, noting the role of community support and artist development in sustaining music careers. It highlights the efforts of artists in cultivating loyal followings and the challenges faced by the industry in adapting to the changing music landscape.
Long live the song of the summer. But wait! Switched on Pop’s Charlie Harding disagrees. And Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos says maybe it never existed at all.
This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.