Song of Summer 2023: ‘Last Night’ by Morgan Wallen

With the end of Labor Day weekend, summer is over, unofficially that is. So, it’s time to crown this year’s Song of Summer, the most popular tune for the vacation season.
Based on the Billboard Hot 100, the Song of Summer 2023 is “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen. It owned the No. 1 spot on the U.S. music chart for 16 weeks, Billboard said.
It seems fitting that “Last Night” should be Song of Summer 2023 because it was a crossover hit and country music is having a moment now.
Other country songs dominating the pop chart this summer were “Fast Car” by Luke Combs and viral hits “Try That In A Small Town” by Jason Aldean and “Rich Men North Of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony. In fact, it was Anthony who ended Wallen’s time at the top of the chart, Billboard said.
Music streaming leader Spotify said “Last Night” was its most-streamed song in the U.S. this summer.
But “Last Night” isn’t a unanimous pick for Song of Summer 2023.
Social media app TikTok named its first-ever U.S. songs of summer, led by Jain’s “Makeba.” That certainly was a ubiquitous tune this season online.
Personally my favorite song of summer was “Calm Down” by Rema and Selena Gomez.
Among other hit songs this summer vying for the Song of Summer crown were “Karma” and “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift, “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Snooze” by SZA.
Plus, the soundtrack to blockbuster movie “Barbie” spawned several hits, led by “Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa.
I also like to choose the Music Artist of Summer. This year’s winner is easily Taylor Swift. She had several hit songs from her album “Midnights” and packed stadiums for her Eras Tour.

Recent songs of summer

2008   “I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry
2009   “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
2010   “California Gurls” by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
2011   “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
2012   “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
2013   “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell
2014   “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
2015   “Cheerleader” by OMI
2016   “One Dance” by Drake feat. WizKid & Kyla
2017   “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber)
2018   “In My Feelings” by Drake
2019   “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
2020   “Rockstar” by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
2021   “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo
2022   “As It Was” by Harry Styles
2023   “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen

Music artist of summer

2018   Cardi B
2019   Billie Eilish
2020   Doja Cat
2021   Olivia Rodrigo
2022   Harry Styles
2023   Taylor Swift

Photo: Spotify Song of Summer 2023 (Spotify) and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour poster.