Who'll own the Song of the Summer?

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 25, 2009 | by Jim Harrington

Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" was last year's definitive summer song. In 2008, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The summer season before that, it was Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy."

So who will own the summer song of '09?

We'll soon know, of course, since the summer season is starting to heat up. That means backyard barbecues, beach parties, cruising in our rides with the windows down and the sound systems up. Those kinds of situations will serve to crown the one tune that defines the summer of '09 better than any other musical offering.

Handicapping the race is tricky, in part because the true song of the season might not have even reached radio yet. In other cases, current hits that appear to be in the running right now might lose momentum by July.

Given recent history, however, it's pretty safe to forecast that this year's champ will hail from the R&B/hip-hop/pop worlds. It's hard to remember the last time rock 'n' roll or country produced an undisputed summer song winner.

The following is a look at our candidates for summer song '09. We'd also like to hear your opinion, so vote for your favorites online at ContraCostaTimes.com or InsideBayArea.com.

The nominees:

"Waking Up in Vegas," Katy Perry

Having won the title in '08 with "I Kissed a Girl," the Santa Barbara singer looks to score a repeat with this catchy tale of waking up hung over, and more than a bit confused, after a wild night in Sin City. In its favor is the lyrical content -- sing-a- longs about partying down play well during the warm weather months. On the downside, very few artists have managed to score back-to- back summer songs.

"Boom Boom Pow," Black Eyed Peas

This band's specialty is crafting dance-pop tunes that stick in your head for days. This one isn't quite as memorable as "Let's Get It Started" or "Pump It," but it's close. The problem is this song was released to radio back in March and has already spent time at No. 1 on the charts, so it might have peaked too early.

"I Gotta Feelin'," Black Eyed Peas

If "Boom Boom Pow" fails to have summer legs, BEP has a second contender in this beat-happy pop single from the band's fifth studio album, "The E.N.D.," which just screams "turn it up!"

"Birthday Sex," Jeremih: Let's hope that this obnoxious bedroom jam, boasting such Shakespeare-caliber lines as "You kiss me so sweetly/Taste just like Hershey's," doesn't turn out to be the song for which this summer is remembered. Still, the tune's popularity with the ladies -- the gender that often decides this sweepstakes -- and its amazing amount of airplay gives Jeremih's debut single a shot.

"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)," Pitbull

The Florida rapper has been turning out great tracks ever since his debut CD, 2004's "M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is a Major Issue." This cut, many agree, should be the one that takes Pitbull's career to the next commercial level. It was released in February, but the reggae- flavored, horn-driven number continues to garner steam in clubs and on radio. The song, which was produced by Lil Jon, touches upon multiple genres in a way that makes one believe it could be a multiformat hit.

"Battlefield," Jordin Sparks:

The soulful singer, who triumphed during the sixth season of "American Idol" in 2007, has a smash on her hands with the title track to her sophomore release. The album is due in stores July 21, but the single has been burning up radio since mid-May. Her "A.I." pedigree will guarantee that millions will take note of this song, but it will also ensure that hipsters will dismiss the cut without even one listen. That's OK, hipsters rarely factor into this competition.

"LoveGame," Lady Gaga:

This contagious club anthem may well be the candidate to beat. It just has so much going for it: a wickedly contagious beat, a shout- along hook, sexually provocative lyrics and an electro-pop vibe that appeals to all kinds of listeners. Plus, the song has that elusive "hip-right-now" quality, which certainly helped Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008.

TBD, Lil Wayne:

Lil Wayne's next record, "Rebirth," will introduce the rapper to the rock game. He's already released two singles from the hybrid album, due in stores in August, but neither seems like a probable contender. However, Lil Wayne is so talented, and so in tune with public taste, that we bet he'll soon offer up a third single that's worthy of inclusion on this list. If anybody can breathe new life into the tired rap-rock genre it's definitely Lil Wayne.

Long shots

Songs that are iffy but in the running include: "Sugar," Flo Rida; "Blame It," by Jamie Foxx (featuring T-Pain); "Day 'n' Night," Kid Cudi; "1234," Plain White T's.

Reach Jim Harrington at jharrington@bayareanewsgroup.com. Read his Concert Blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/category/concerts/ .Online

Cast your vote for song of the summer on ConrtaCostaTimes.com or InsideBayArea.com.