WHILE IT MAY not feel like it weather-wise, it is technically summer right now.

As such, there are currently several bops all vying for the chance to be named Song of the Summer. To be taken seriously as a Song of the Summer contender, a song must possess boppy characteristic and it must be difficult to escape. (In other words, we are excluding Harry Styles’ Sign of the Times from consideration.)

Previous winners include Cheerleader, Get Lucky, Blurred Lines and One Dance.

Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber

The undisputed frontrunner for this year’s title. The Latin crossover hit is currently the biggest song in the world, dominating streaming and airplay charts. Chalk it down to the power of Justin Bieber or chalk it down to the fact that it’s as summery as knocking back the melted juice at the end of a Calippo. A worthy winner.

I’m The One by DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Lil Wayne and Chance The Rapper

Another track featuring Justin Bieber! I’m The One is a lazy, bouncy number that would be welcome background music at any summer barbecue. It’s been playing second fiddle to Despacito all summer, however, and it seems unlikely that it will catch up with it at this late stage. Second place is a respectable showing, though.

There’s Nothin’ Holding Me Back by Shawn Mendes

I’m going to level with you. Any American man could introduce himself as Shawn Mendes to me and I would have no choice but to believe him. Nonetheless, There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back has established itself as one of the songs of the summer. (It’s currently sitting pretty atop the radio airplay charts and at number three on the singles charts.)

It’s reminiscent of early Timberlake and Ed Sheeran, so it’s no surprise that Irish fans have gravitated towards it. Whether it will last the summer remains to be seen.

Malibu by Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus has reinvented herself. No longer content to twerk or waggle her tongue around, Miley has hopped aboard the authentic singer-songwriter bandwagon. Her latest single Malibu is a country-tinged pop number that seems ripe for being covered by that singing Gaeltacht. While nowhere near the level of her previous bops, it is perfectly pleasant and has been hovering in and out of the top ten. Whether it’s peaked already remains to be seen.

Slow Hands by Niall Horan

Since leaving One Direction, Niall Horan has sought to pitch himself as a singer-songwriter in the vein of Ed Sheehan. Slow Hands is a catchy, funky and wholly inoffensive number thats’s fast becoming That Song You Always Hear While Queuing In Spar. You can expect to hear it on the radio all summer, what with him being a homegrown hero and all.

But as much as you might find yourself nodding along to it, we’re not convinced it can compete with the likes of Despacito.

Strip That Down by Liam Payne

While Niall Horan is strumming his acoustic guitar, Liam Payne is trying to become a hip hop artist and has explicitly stated that his debut album is influenced by Drake. No, really. His debut single Strip Me Down isn’t bad, but there’s something a little Ali G-esque with a former boyband member trying to emulate the biggest rapper in the world.

Maybe it’s just us, but we can’t take a lad named Liam Payne seriously as an R&B/hip hop artist.

Symphony by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson

It’s been around for months, but this orchestral club number featuring Swedish songstress Zara Larsson shows no sign of waning in popularity. It’s classic Clean Bandit – uplifting, sweeping and stupidly catchy.

And it’s not going anywhere this summer.

Pretty Girl by Maggie Lindeman (Cheat Codes X CADE Remix)

A slightly generic dance remix that you may find yourself humming along to, but something about it feels a little disposable. Will likely soundtrack many a Leaving Cert party.

Mama (feat. William Singe) by Jonas Blue

Look, this is perfectly grand, but I refuse to believe that this will be one of the defining songs of 2017.

Unforgettable by French Montana

Unforgettable is a worthy successor to One Dance for the title of Song of the Summer. It’s a complete and utter bop that’s virtually impossible to listen to without shoulder dancing and daydreaming about sipping cocktails on a beach. Bonus: the video, which was shot in Uganda, is positively joyful.

Swalla by Jason Derulo

If ever there was a song that could convince you to take up zumba…

Passionfruit by Drake

Passionfruit, taken from Drake’s most recent album, possesses all the necessary characteristics of a Song of the Summer. Only problem? It was released in March and has already faded somewhat from the public consciousness. (It’s currently at no. 36 in the top 40.)

Will it get a second lease of life?

Attention by Charlie Puth

Frankly I’m just amazed that Charlie Puts and Shawn Mendes are separate people. This is a perfectly serviceable bop. Hell, I even found myself humming along to it on the bus last week. But it’s still a little bit… The Weeknd-lite?

Shape of You by Ed Sheeran

This will never go away, will it?

Outside contenders

• Swish Swish by Katy Perry Swish swish, bish. Might not be a breakout hit yet, but this Duke Dumont-produced number is made for sweaty summer nights out.
• Bad Liar by Selena Gomez If there was any justice in the world, this sparse, finger-snappingly good number would be on the radio 24/7. Delightful pop music at its best.
• Cut To The Feeling by Carly Rae Jepsen Carly Rae Jepsen has failed to achieve mainstream success since Call Me Maybe, but continues to churn out unbelievable bops even if the world doesn’t take notice. Maybe Cut To The Feeling will make people sit up and pay attention. *prayer hands emoji*
•  Slide/Rollin’/Heatstroke by Calvin Harris Calvin Harris has been producing bangers at a frankly prodigious pace this summer. This trio of songs are tailor-made for road trips to the beach with the windows rolled down.

Conclusion?

Right now, it’s Despacito’s to lose. But hey, we’ve got a long summer ahead of us…

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