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15 potential summer anthems for 2017

It's that time again. Most people don't necessarily need help getting hype for summer, but the right music adds the whipped cream. 

Here are 15 candidates for your 2017 summer anthem playlist.

 
1 of 15

"I'm The One" by DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne

"I'm The One" by DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne
Photo by Natt Lim/Getty Images for Coachella

DJ Khaled's brand new single "I'm The One," featuring a star-studded symphony of Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne, is already designated the official 2017 summer anthem by Vevo.

Not mad about it. "I'm The One" bombarded the world on April 28 and immediately hit No. 1 on Billboard and iTunes in several countries.

 
2 of 15

"Alaska" by Maggie Rogers

"Alaska" by Maggie Rogers
Photo by Scott Dudelson/WireImage/Getty Images

Last summer was presumably the best summer of Maggie Rogers' life when a video featuring Pharrell listening to her music (which eventually became "Alaska") went viral, setting her up perfectly to contend for a summer anthem in 2017. 

"Alaska" (and every song on Rogers' debut EP "Now That The Light Is Fading") is a mixture of EDM and folk music. It's a sound that is difficult to explain but infectious once it hits your ears. Specifically, "Alaska" is about going on a hike to find herself—very summer.

 
3 of 15

"iSpy" by Kyle ft. Lil Yachty

"iSpy" by Kyle ft. Lil Yachty
Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for TuneIn

I spy with my little eye a summer banger. 

Single "iSpy" by rapper Kyle featuring Lil Yachty has gone platinum and hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 
4 of 15

"It Ain't Me" by KYGO ft. Selena Gomez

"It Ain't Me" by KYGO ft. Selena Gomez
Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images

The first single from Norweigan EDM artist Kygo's upcoming album has already racked up over 228 million views on YouTube and recently reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

 
5 of 15

"Stay" by Zedd ft. Alessia Cara

"Stay" by Zedd ft. Alessia Cara
Photo by Scott Dudelson/WireImage/Getty Images

Currently at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Stay" is essentially about not wanting to grow up. 

 
6 of 15

"Slide" by Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean and Migos

"Slide" by Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean and Migos
Photo by Brian Rasic/WireImage/Getty Images

"Slide" follows the narrative of someone wanting to slide into someone's life at any cost just to live more luxuriously. The song's cover art is of palm trees. With vocals from Frank Ocean and two-thirds of Migos (Offset and Quavo), the lyrics make references to dying young, dyeing one's hair blond and emptying bank accounts.

Watch how Calvin Harris made "Slide" here.

 
7 of 15

"Passionfruit" by Drake

"Passionfruit" by Drake
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella

Yes, Drake again will dominate the radio throughout the summer. But how is that different than any other month?

"Passionfruit" exemplifies the direction Drake's music has taken of late with its island-feel. Put most simply: even while detailing a fledgling long-distance relationship, "Passionfruit" just feels good.

 
8 of 15

"Goodbye For Now" by Juanes

"Goodbye For Now" by Juanes
Photo by GV Cruz/WireImage/Getty Images

Juanes has built a massive career for himself in the Latin community. (He's Colombian.) But "Goodbye For Now" is his first ever English-language song, with the assistance of music giant songwriter and producer Poo Bear, and it's infectious.

 
9 of 15

"LOVE." by Kendrick Lamar ft. Zacari

"LOVE." by Kendrick Lamar ft. Zacari
Photo by Rich Fury/The Forum via Getty Images

Kendrick's mother approves of his new album "DAMN.," proven in maybe the best tweet ever sent. Who would we be to argue with K-Dot's mom?

Kendrick currently has every single song on "DAMN." charting somewhere on the Billboard Hot 100. So, quite literally, the entire album is a song for the summer.

 
10 of 15

"Overwhelming" by Jon Bellion

"Overwhelming" by Jon Bellion
Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Spotify

Jon Bellion hit the mainstream with his single "All Time Low," but "Overwhelming" (from his same debut full-length LP, 2016's "The Human Condition") is the love song that maintains the essential playful beat when considering summertime songs. It's about being overwhelmed with love, and everyone wants to be overwhelmed with positivity in the summer. According to Bellion, "Overwhelming" was almost deleted before his friend convinced him to keep it. 

 
11 of 15

"That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars

"That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars
Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

We like Bruno Mars, and Bruno Mars seems to like making massive singles that carry us through every season, including the summer.

"That's What I Like" has proven to be the most popular single off of Bruno's "24K Magic" album, currently No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the album is full of songs with similar feeling. Take your pick.

 
12 of 15

"Now or Never" by Halsey

"Now or Never" by Halsey
Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Having just announced a self-described biggest tour she's ever done, Halsey teased us with lead single "Now or Never."

"Now or Never" is at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, but that doesn't do it justice. The 14-plus million views on YouTube is more accurate.

 
13 of 15

"Want You Back" by HAIM

"Want You Back" by HAIM
Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage/Getty Images

Band of sisters HAIM rocked the world by dropping their new single "Want You Back" on Wednesday, May 3. Give it a listen and try telling me that's not a bop to listen to while you're driving with the windows down.

 
14 of 15

"Wicked" by mansionz ft. G-Eazy

"Wicked" by mansionz ft. G-Eazy
Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images

This song is, well, wicked. Perhaps you're unfamiliar with mansionz, but then you learn it consists of Mike Posner and blackbear (and on this song, G-Eazy).

"Wicked" comes off of the duo's debut album. Once the first verse hits, you'll be sold.

 
15 of 15

"Thunder" by Imagine Dragons

"Thunder" by Imagine Dragons
Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Imagine Dragons is back.

The music video for "Thunder" was shot in Dubai, one of the hottest places on Earth.

The first verse immediately paints a picture of someone wanting to let loose, as does the entire song, and what better season to do so than summer.

 

Megan Armstrong (@megankarmstrong) is a writer with previous work appearing in places such as Billboard, Bleacher Report, GQ and others. She's most interested in writing about people and how they live their lives, through the framework of music, entertainment and sports.

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