The summer season may be over, but the debate over which song defined it continues to fuel music fans online. Every year, InMusic crowns its official Song of Summer, a tradition that began in 2023. Over the years, the title has gone to tracks that captured the cultural mood of their respective summers. This year, fans voted ROSÉ’s “Messy” as their favorite song.
Beyond “Messy,” this year’s summer season delivered a flood of memorable hits. Sabrina Carpenter kept her momentum with “Manchild” and “Tears” from her No. 1 album Man’s Best Friend. Doja Cat kicked off her Vie era with “Jealous Type.” BLACKPINK reunited for their explosive comeback “Jump,” while KATSEYE claimed viral fame with “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.” Cardi B, Lorde, Karol G, Drake, and Ed Sheeran also released new music, ensuring summer playlists stayed stacked. Meanwhile, Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack produced one of the year’s biggest crossover smashes with “Golden,” which spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With the results of the 2025 poll finalized, we can look back at all the winners so far.
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2023: Zayn – “Love Like This”
The tradition started with a comeback story. In 2023, Zayn Malik made headlines with “Love Like This,” his first major solo release in years. The infectious pop track reintroduced him to global audiences, blending smooth vocals with a fresh production that appealed to both longtime fans and new listeners. It quickly became the anthem of that summer.
2024: Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
The following year, Sabrina Carpenter claimed the crown with her breakout hit “Espresso.” The playful pop anthem not only dominated TikTok trends but also became one of the most-streamed songs of the year. With witty lyrics and an irresistible hook, “Espresso” pushed Sabrina into global superstardom, setting the stage for her eventual Billboard 200 No. 1 albums and her current reign as one of pop’s most consistent hitmakers.
2025: ROSÉ – “Messy”
This summer, the honor went to ROSÉ with “Messy,” her standout contribution to the F1 Soundtrack. Released in May, the track quickly resonated with fans for its emotional vulnerability wrapped in sleek pop production. In the annual InMusic bracket, “Messy” surged past heavy competition, including Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching,” another soundtrack favorite, to secure the win. Backed by the loyal support of Blinks, ROSÉ dominated every voting round and emerged as the clear victor.
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