The single interpolates The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” — itself the top summer hit of 1983, when it dominated the Hot 100 for eight frames, and the No. 7 title on the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart.
Billboard‘s Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart is based on titles’ performance on the Hot 100 during the annual tracking period of Memorial Day through Labor Day. The chart utilizes an inverse point system for 1959 (the Hot 100’s first full summer, following its Aug. 4, 1958, inception) through 1991 (the final summer prior to the advent of MRC Data information), with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. From 1992 through 2020, the recap incorporates point totals accumulated from radio airplay, sales and, subsequently, streaming data included in the Hot 100’s methodology. Additionally, years were weighted to account for varying chart turnover rates throughout the Hot 100’s history.
Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” is the No. 2 title on the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart, having led the Hot 100 for 13 weeks in 1998, and Bobby Lewis’ “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” a seven-week Hot 100 No. 1 in 1961, places at No. 3.
Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell, ranks at No. 4 on the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer survey, after it ruled the Hot 100 for 12 weeks in 2013, and Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, takes the No. 5 spot, following its 16-week Hot 100 reign in 2017.
Elsewhere in the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer top 10: Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, from 2019 (No. 6); Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” from 2005 (No. 8); Andy Gibb’s “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” from 1977 (No. 9); and Prince and the Revolution’s “When Doves Cry,” from 1984 (No. 10).
Scanning the entire 500-position Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart, Rihanna leads all acts with eight songs, with “Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z, her highest-ranking, at No. 23. The song topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks in 2007.
With five hits each on the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart are Elton John, Paul McCartney/Wings, The Rolling Stones and Usher, while The Beatles, Drake, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry and (appropriately enough) Donna Summer each claim four.
Bee Gees, Justin Bieber, The Black Eyed Peas, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, Madonna, Prince and Frankie Valli each tally three titles on the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer recap.
You can relive the biggest hits from the season of beaches, baseball and barbecues on the full Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart in the charts menu of Billboard.com.
You can also check out the top 10 summer songs every year throughout the Hot 100’s history and Billboard‘s weekly Songs of the Summer chart in its entirety.