Digest

This episode of Today Explained delves into the concept of the "song of the summer" and whether it still holds relevance in today's fragmented media landscape. The hosts, Sean Ramos-Fram and Charlie Harding, discuss the history of the song of the summer, tracing its origins back to the 1800s and its official charting by Billboard in 1958. They argue that the rise of streaming services and the diversification of music consumption have led to a more fragmented listening experience, making it harder to pinpoint a single song that dominates the summer. They also explore the current musical landscape, highlighting the success of artists with strong fandoms who have built their careers through consistent touring and music releases, such as Shabuzie, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chapel Roan. The hosts acknowledge the success of artists like Post Malone, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift, but argue that their albums, released earlier in the year, have not had the same impact on the summer charts as newer artists. They conclude that while the traditional "song of the summer" may be a thing of the past, there are still plenty of songs that capture the spirit of the season, and that ultimately, the "song of the summer" is a personal experience that varies depending on individual tastes and communities.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Death of the Song of the Summer?

This Chapter explores the idea that the "song of the summer" is dead, arguing that the rise of streaming services and fragmented media has made it harder to identify a single dominant song. The hosts discuss the history of the song of the summer, tracing its origins back to the 1800s and its official charting by Billboard in 1958.

00:02:20

Why Morgan Wallen's "Last Night" Didn't Connect

This Chapter delves into the reasons why Morgan Wallen's "Last Night" might not have resonated with everyone, exploring factors such as generational taste, the rise of country music, and the politicization of the music industry.

00:05:21

The Evolution of the Song of the Summer

This Chapter examines the evolution of the song of the summer, discussing how the rise of streaming services and the diversification of music consumption have led to a more fragmented listening experience, making it harder to pinpoint a single song that dominates the summer.

00:14:29

The Summer of Fandoms

This Chapter explores the current musical landscape, highlighting the success of artists with strong fandoms who have built their careers through consistent touring and music releases, such as Shabuzie, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chapel Roan. The hosts discuss the importance of artist development and the role of streaming services in shaping the music industry.

Keywords

Q&A

• Is the "song of the summer" truly dead in the age of streaming and fragmented media?

  The hosts debate whether the "song of the summer" is truly dead, arguing that the rise of streaming services and the diversification of music consumption have made it harder to identify a single dominant song. However, they acknowledge that there are still plenty of songs that capture the spirit of the season, and that ultimately, the "song of the summer" is a personal experience that varies depending on individual tastes and communities.

• What are some of the factors that have contributed to the fragmentation of music consumption?

  The hosts discuss how the rise of streaming services, the diversification of music genres, and the increasing influence of social media have contributed to a more fragmented listening experience, making it harder for a single song to dominate the charts and cultural conversation.

• How has the music industry adjusted to the streaming age?

  The hosts discuss the challenges that the music industry has faced in adapting to the streaming age, highlighting the importance of artist development and the need for labels to invest in artists who have built strong fandoms through consistent touring and music releases.

• What are some of the current trends in the music industry?

  The hosts discuss the rise of artists with strong fandoms who have built their careers through consistent touring and music releases, as well as the increasing influence of social media and streaming services in shaping the music landscape.

• What are some of the songs that are capturing the spirit of summer 2023?

  The hosts discuss a variety of songs that are popular this summer, including Shabuzie's "Tipsy," Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," Sabrina Carpenter's "Bresso," and Charlie XCX's "Brat." They also mention the success of artists like Post Malone, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift, whose albums have been released earlier in the year.

Show Notes