Summer's top tune this year leans more towards a melancholic ballad instead of an upbeat banger. Insight into our preferences.

In an unexpected turn of events, Alex Warren's love ballad "Ordinary" has been reigning supreme on the Billboard charts this season. The song, which is slower than the average Hot 100 or historical summer song, has been at the top of the Song of the Summer chart for 14 weeks and counting, and has spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100. This marks Warren's breakout success.

The popularity of "Ordinary" may indicate a preference for familiar hits this summer, as streaming on new tracks has declined by 3.3% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. According to Jaime Marconette, Luminate's vice president of music insights and industry relations, this disinterest in new music could be attributed to the resurgence of 'recession pop' - music that was originally released leading up to and following the 2008 financial crisis.

Ethan Hein, an adjunct professor of music, suggests that the popularity of "Ordinary" reveals a contempt for both the present and the future among listeners. He believes that the disinterest in typical upbeat pop music could be due to a lack of enthusiasm among songwriters for creating fun, pop bangers.

However, not everyone sees this as a negative trend. Ray Leone, a music psychologist, suggests that people are favoring "Ordinary" because it is the antithesis of a seemingly extraordinary state of the world. He believes that people are looking for something personal to connect to amidst chaos, and that "Ordinary" speaks to them on a personal level.

The song "Ordinary" is not typically designed for the role of the song of the summer. It is a love song written by Warren about his wife. Despite this, "Ordinary" has been acting as a beacon of light in dark times, dominating radio airplay and downloads.

Interestingly, Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club," currently at No. 8 on the summer chart, has been on the Hot 100 for 63 weeks. This longevity of last year's songs has proved long, crowding the space and leaving little room for new music to break through.

According to Paula Harper, a musicologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, last summer was an 'absolute tsunami, surplus, exuberance of pop'. However, this year seems to be a stark contrast, with listeners turning back to familiar hits.

TikTok is one engine that kept the popularity of some older songs going. The song "Ordinary" has been benefiting from this trend, maintaining its position at the top of the charts.

Alex Warren's "Ordinary" has become more than just a song; it has become a symbol of resilience and connection in a time when these are needed most. According to Bennett, songs of love and devotion are a constant in our world, regardless of other events. In the case of "Ordinary", it seems to have resonated deeply with listeners, offering a moment of solace amidst the chaos.

Summer's top tune this year leans more towards a melancholic ballad instead of an upbeat banger. Insight into our preferences.