Songs of the Summer

Coming in as a late entry, Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” has quickly proven itself to be the song of the summer.

Released on Aug. 15, the track has already captured listeners with its irresistible groove and sultry lyrics, cementing Dean as one of the most exciting new voices in pop music.

Dean has been steadily rising in recent years, building a reputation for her genre-blending style and emotionally honest songwriting. With this latest release, she takes another step toward solidifying her place as a future pop star.

“Man I Need” is a wonderful blend of jazz elements and pop production, which is what the British singer specializes in. The song is about longing to be loved the way you deserve and not being afraid to ask for that.

It is playful and sexy, but it’s Dean’s vocals that bring out this feeling of confidence and joy that demands you dance to it.

She sings, “Just come be the man I need / Tell me you got something to give, I want it / I kinda like it when you call me wonderful.”

With this single, Olivia Dean hasn’t just released a summer hit, she’s announced herself as a star we’ll be hearing from for years to come. – Madison Rush

Madison Rush is a fourth-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

“The Giver” – Chappell Roan

“The Giver” was, as predicted, the song of the summer for small-town girls who grew up on country music.

Chappell Roan released “The Giver” in the spring, just in time for school to be dwindling to a close and for summer to be within reach.

The track featured a heavy amount of instrumentation from banjos and violins, giving it that classic country music feeling. With its upbeat lyrics and danceable beat, it was a perfect song to add to that summer playlist.

“The Giver” was definitely a standout song of the summer, but “The Subway” may have taken the title when Roan finally released the track in July.

Fans are patiently waiting for a new album from the pop star, but until then, “The Giver” and “The Subway” are so addictive that they will hold us over. – Sarah Gavlak

Sarah Gavlak is a fourth-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email sng5393@psu.edu

“Punkrocker” – Teddybears

Sometimes a song is the song of the summer, not just because of the music itself, but because of something it is tied to. In this instance, it was tied to a big summer blockbuster titled “Superman.” The music played during the film’s end credits was a perfect encapsulation of the film and its message.

There is something inherently inspiring and uplifting about the song. Many TikTok edits have been made using this song, showing the best of humanity in both fiction and reality. The song has made “punk rock” a synonym for good.

It was the song of the summer because it makes people look at the good in the world. It is a 25-year-old song, but its inclusion in “Superman” has given the song new life and meaning.

The uplifting and inspiring nature of the song is something everyone could use right now and is what made it the perfect song of the summer season. – Nikolai Wagner

Nikolai Wagner is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To email him, contact njw5648@psu.edu

“Easy Lover” – Philip Bailey, Phil Collins

Nothing beats driving with the windows down, blasting a top-tier song for everyone to hear.

“Easy Lover” by Philip Bailey featuring Phil Collins was far and away the top song of the summer. While many know Collins from Genesis, he also has solo hits, such as “In the Air Tonight,” whose iconic drum solo has become a staple at Penn State football games.

Bailey has had a similar career path. Most know him from the hit R&B jazz band Earth, Wind & Fire. However, he also has a solo career that is lesser-known yet still impressive.

“Easy Lover” is one of the tracks on Bailey’s 1984 album “Chinese Wall (Expanded Edition)” and is a personal favorite for a good reason.

This track has an electric beginning that will blow the speakers out if listeners aren’t careful. This duo combines Collins’ knack for writing hit songs with Bailey’s unique high-pitched voice and jazz influence.

The chorus is incredibly catchy, sure to have listeners dancing in the mirror—just like Ted Lasso in season 2, episode 5.

Matthew Peters is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mbp5830@psu.edu