1980 Summer Music

[Gail Elfert]

I spent many nights in my childhood bedroom staring at the ceiling with headphones pumping music into my ears. I was a voracious listener. I needed to hear everything to prove how much music meant to me. Any free time was spent thumbing through my mom's garish blue CD holder.

My mom fostered my love of music from the beginning when she decided to raise me on '80s hair bands and hip-hop. Every summer car ride was a concert. We would pop in one of her many CDs and perform "Rappers Delight" by Sugarhill Gang (yes, all 14 minutes of it) on nearly every road trip and blast Guns N' Roses with the windows down, letting in the warm summer air as we belted "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine."

Once I was able to make my own money and drive wherever I desired, I couldn't be stopped. Since then, summers in adulthood have been filled with weeknight concerts, traveling cross-state for those pesky bands that only stop in Seattle, flying across the county for those pesky bands that only stop on the East Coast (and lots of foam earplugs).

Of course I attend concerts throughout the entire year, but summer concerts are unmatched in energy and vibes. There's nothing quite like the car ride to the venue with the AC blasting while listening to the opener's songs, cramming their lyrics an hour before showtime. Or waiting in line for hours in the July heat to ensure my spot in the front row. The buzz of anticipation when my hand finally grips the barricade. Making friends out of strangers while waiting for the show to start. This is what summer is all about.

Luis Fonsi became internationally known with his hit song "Despacito," whose remix features Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber, and it dominated the charts during the summer of 2017. Other songs that got plenty of airtime included: "That's What I Like," by Bruno Mars, "I'm the One," by DJ Khaled (feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper and Lil Wayne), "Wild Thoughts," by DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, "Shape of You," by Ed Sheeran, "Believer," by Imagine Dragons, "Humble.," by Kendrick Lamar, "Unforgettable," by French Montana feat. Swae Lee, "Body Like a Back Road," by Sam Hunt and "Congratulations," by Post Malone feat. Quavo.

Drake's "One Dance" topped the charts in 15 countries including the U.S. where it topped the Billboard Hot 100 list for 10 nonconsecutive weeks during the summer of 2016. Other hit songs of that summer were: "Can't Stop The Feeling!," by Justin Timberlake, "Don't Let Me Down," by The Chainsmokers feat. Daya, "Cheap Thrills," by Sia feat. Sean Paul, "This Is What You Came For," by Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna, "Panda," by Desiigner, "Needed Me," by Rihanna, "Ride," by Twenty One Pilots, "Work From Home," by Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign and "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)," by Adele.

Jamaican singer OMI's reworked "Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)" became the summer song of 2015 when it topped the Billboard Hot 100 list for six nonconsecutive weeks. Other songs that battled for the top spot were: "See You Again," by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, "Bad Blood," by Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Can't Feel My Face," by The Weeknd, "Watch Me," by Silento, "Trap Queen," by Fetty Wap, "Shut Up And Dance," by Walk the Moon, "Lean On," by Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. M0, "The Hills," by The Weeknd and "Fight Song," by Rachel Platten.

Iggy Azalea, left, and Charli XCX's "Fancy" held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list for seven weeks throughout the summer of 2014. Other hits that summer included: "Rude," by MAGIC!, "Problem," by Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea, "Stay With Me," by Sam Smith, "Am I Wrong," by Nico and Vinz, "All Of Me," by John Legend, "Wiggle," by Jason Derulo feat. Snoop Dogg, "Happy," by Pharrell Williams, "Summer," by Calvin Harris and "Turn Down For What," by DJ Snake and Lil Jon.

Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. dominated the summer of 2013 with their hit song "Blurred Lines." Other contenders included: "Radioactive," by Imagine Dragons, "Get Lucky," by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams, "We Can't Stop," by Miley Cyrus, "Can't Hold Us," by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton, "Cruise," by Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, "Mirrors," by Justin Timberlake, "Treasure," by Bruno Mars, "Cups (Pitch Perfect's When I'm Gone)," by Anna Kendrick and "Come & Get It," by Selena Gomez.

Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen's breakthrough single "Call Me Maybe" became viral sensation, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for nine weeks during the summer of 2012. Other popular songs were: "Payphone," by Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa, "Somebody That I Used To Know," by Gotye feat. Kimbra, "Wide Awake," by Katy Perry, "Lights," by Ellie Goulding, "Where Have You Been," by Rihanna, "Whistle," by Flo Rida, "Titanium," by David Guetta feat. Sia, "We Are Young," by fun. feat. Janelle Monae and "Starships," by Nicki Minaj.

EDM artists Redfoo and SkyBu teamed up to form LMFAO and topped the charts in the summer of 2011 with their single "Party Rock Anthem," which remained at number one for six weeks. Other summer hits included: "Give Me Everything," by Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, "Rolling In The Deep," by Adele, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)," by Katy Perry, "Super Bass," by Nicki Minaj, "How To Love," by Lil Wayne, "The Edge Of Glory," by Lady Gaga, "Good Life," by OneRepublic, "Tonight Tonight," by Hot Chelle Rae and "E.T.," by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West.

Katy Perry continued to top charts into 2010 and her hit single "California Gurls" quickly became the song of the summer. Other hits included: "Love the Way You Lie," by Eminem feat. Rihanna, "Airplanes," by B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams, "OMG," by Usher feat. will.i.am, "Dynamite," by Taio Cruz, "Billionaire," by Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars, "Cooler Than Me," by Mike Posner, "I Like It," by Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull, "Find Your Love," by Drake and "Not Afraid," by Eminem.

In 2009, The Black Eyed Peas returned from a brief hiatus with their fifth studio album, "The E.N.D.," which featured their hit single, "I Gotta Feeling," that remained at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 14 weeks. Other top songs of that summer were: "Boom Boom Pow," also by The Black Eyed Peas, "Knock You Down," by Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Ne-Yo, "Best I Ever Had," by Drake, "You Belong With Me," by Taylor Swift, "Fire Burning," by Sean Kingston, "LoveGame," by Lady Gaga, "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)," by Pitbull, "Use Somebody," by Kings Of Leon and "Waking Up In Vegas," by Katy Perry.

Despite sparking controversy for its homosexual themes, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven consecutive weeks in 2008. Other hit songs that summer included: "Take A Bow," by Rihanna, "Lollipop," by Lil Wayne feat. Static Major, "Viva La Vida," by Coldplay, "Bleeding Love," by Leona Lewis, "Forever," by Chris Brown, "Pocketful Of Sunshine," by Natasha Bedingfield, "Disturbia," by Rihanna, "Leavin'," by Jesse McCartney and "Dangerous," by Kardinal Offishall feat. Akon.

Barbados-born singer Rihanna topped the Billboard charts with "Umbrella," which featured Brooklyn-born rapper Jay-Z. Other songs of the summer in 2007 were: "Big Girls Don't Cry," by Fergie, "Party Like A Rockstar," by Shop Boyz, "Hey There Delilah," by Plain White T's, "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')," by T-Pain feat. Yung Joc, "The Way I Are," by Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson, "Beautiful Girls," by Sean Kingston, "Makes Me Wonder," by Maroon 5, "Bartender," by T-Pain feat. Akon and "Make Me Better," by Fabolous feat. Ne-Yo.

Nelly Furtado and Timbaland had the hottest song of the summer in 2006 with "Promiscuous." Other Hot 100 songs included: "Hips Don't Lie," by Shakira, "Crazy," by Gnarls Barkley, "Me & U," by Cassie, "It's Going Down," by Yung Joc, "Buttons," by The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg, "Ridin'," by Chamillionaire feat. Krayzie Bone, "Unfaithful," by Rihanna, "Ain't No Other Man," by Christina Aguilera and "Over My Head (Cable Car)," by The Fray.

Mariah Carey topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the summer for the second time in her career with 2005's hit song "We Belong Together." Other songs that peaked on the chart were: "Hollaback Girl," by Gwen Stefani, "Don't Cha," by The Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes, "Pon De Replay," by Rihanna, "Behind These Hazel Eyes," by Kelly Clarkson, "Don't Phunk With My Heart," by The Black Eyed Peas, "Lose Control," by Missy Elliott feat. Ciara and Fat Man Scoop, "Let Me Hold You," by Bow Wow feat. Omarion, "Just A Lil Bit," by 50 Cent and "You And Me," by Lifehouse.

Usher topped the charts in the summer for the second time in 2004 with his hit "Confessions Part II." Other top songs of the summer were: "Slow Motion," by Juvenile feat. Soulja Slim, "Burn," by Usher, "Lean Back," by Terror Squad, "The Reason," by Hoobastank, "If I Ain't Got You," by Alicia Keys, "Move Ya Body," by Nina Sky feat. Jabba, "Turn Me On," by Kevin Lyttle feat. Spragga Benz, "Dip It Low," by Christina Milian and "Sunshine," by Lil' Flip feat. Lea.

Nelly's "Hot In Herre" was the song of the summer in 2002. Other popular songs included: "Complicated," by Avril Lavigne, "Dilemma," by Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland, "Without Me," by Eminem, "I Need A Girl (Part Two)," by P. Diddy and Ginuwine feat. Loon, Mario Winans and Tammy Ruggeri, "Hero," by Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott, "The Middle," by Jimmy Eat World, "Foolish," by Ashanti, "A Thousand Miles," by Vanessa Carlton and "Just A Friend 2002," by Mario.

"Bent," by Matchbox Twenty was released on July 4, 2000, and became the band's only number one hit ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other popular songs of the summer were: "It's Gonna Be Me," by 'N Sync, "Try Again," by Aaliyah, "Doesn't Really Matter," by Janet Jackson, "Everything You Want," by Vertical Horizon, "I Wanna Know," by Joe, "Jumpin', Jumpin'," by Destiny's Child, "Higher," by Creed, "Incomplete," by Sisqo and "Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)," by Nine Days.

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