Song of summer

Bet on summer’s inescapable song.

Photo: Mike Ruiz

The front-runner
“I Do Not Hook Up,” Kelly Clarkson
Why was this giddy ditty sitting in a can for years? Sticks in your head better than Tyra Banks’s extensions.

Photo: Mary Ellen Matthews

The hometown favorite
“Wilco (the Song),” Wilco
It bears an uncanny resemblance to “Werewolves of London,” but it worked for Kid Rock.

Photo: Dimitri Daniloff

The unfortunate“Boom Boom Pow,” Black Eyed Peas
Calling this slapdash crunk-puke a hot mess might give it too much thermodynamic credit. But raps like “steppin’ on leprechauns / shittin’ on ya’ll” always seem to score commercial success.

The generic
“Love Sex Magic,” Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake
This Janet…er, Beyon…er, Ciara song sizzles. The only roadblock is National Timberlake Fatigue.

Photo: Derek Santini

The long shot
“So Human,” Lady Sovereign
Throw this Cure-sampling raspberry on a Seth Rogen trailer and M.I.A. might actually go missing in action.

Summer Soundtrack

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