Published Time: 09-06-2025, 15:45 U.S.

This summer, the traditional upbeat “song of the summer” has been replaced by a slower, introspective ballad. Alex Warren’s Ordinary has held the top spot on Billboard’s chart for 14 weeks, suggesting that listeners are favoring nostalgia, emotional resonance, and familiar tunes over energetic, new releases.

Alex Warren’s Ballad Tops Summer Charts

Every summer, music traditionally bursts with energetic hits designed for beaches, barbecues, and road trips. However, in 2025, the vibe has shifted. Alex Warren’s Ordinary, a heartfelt love ballad released in February, has dominated Billboard’s Song of the Summer chart, tracking streaming, airplay, and sales between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the U.S.

Joe Bennett, a Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist, noted:

“It’s a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100 or for a historical song of the summer.”

Despite this, Ordinary has resonated deeply with listeners, holding its top position for more than three months.

Listener Trends Favor Familiar Hits

One factor behind Warren’s sustained success is the relative scarcity of breakout hits this year. Traditionally, songs of the summer are released well before the solstice to dominate playlists and radio airplay. Yet, even new releases from artists like Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter have struggled to reach the same level of attention as Ordinary.

Luminate, the company behind Billboard chart data, reported a 3.3% decline in streaming of new tracks during the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. Only three of the top ten most-streamed songs in the U.S. were released this year. Many tracks on the charts, such as Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club, have remained popular for over a year, reflecting listeners’ preference for long-lasting hits.

Jaime Marconette, vice president of music insights at Luminate, explains that nostalgia plays a key role:

“We’re seeing pop music from the late 2000s outpace the growth of the industry at large. It highlights a sense of nostalgia and potentially bigger themes of escapism.”

The Rise of “Recession Pop” and Nostalgia

Marconette refers to this trend as “recession pop,” where listeners gravitate toward songs originally released around the 2008 financial crisis. The longevity of these tracks, combined with carryover hits from 2024, has crowded the market, leaving limited space for new, upbeat songs to break through.

Paula Harper, musicologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, noted:

“When I’ve talked to folks about the 2025 song of the summer, it’s not uncommon for them to cite a song from 2024—and then they’re surprised at how old it actually is. Platforms like TikTok keep these tracks alive in listeners’ minds.”

What Warren’s Popularity Reveals About Listeners

Although ballads have historically become summer hits occasionally—Olivia Rodrigo’s Driver’s License is one example—they typically do not dominate the season. Ordinary challenges that norm.

“It’s not going to pep up the pool party or the barbecue,” Harper said. “Ultimately, it’s engineered for something other than song of the summer status.”

Ethan Hein, adjunct professor of music at NYU and The New School, believes the song’s success reflects wider cultural attitudes:

“This year, young listeners show less enthusiasm for fun pop bangers. It signals a sense of disinterest in the present and future, and a preference for introspection.”

Music psychologist Ray Leone adds that the song’s appeal may stem from the chaotic state of the world:

“People are looking inward. They want something personal to connect to, not just collective excitement. Ordinary provides that connection.”

The Emotional Core of Ordinary

Warren’s song, written about his wife, has struck a chord during challenging times. Bennett points out:

“Songs of love and devotion are a constant in our world. Regardless of circumstances, someone will always resonate with a timeless love song.”

Its gentle tempo, heartfelt lyrics, and relatable theme distinguish it from typical summer anthems, highlighting a shift in how audiences engage with music today.

Conclusion

The dominance of Ordinary underscores a broader transformation in listener behavior. Nostalgia, emotional resonance, and a desire for personal connection are redefining what it means to have a “song of the summer.” As streaming habits evolve and upbeat pop takes a backseat, Warren’s ballad demonstrates that even slower, introspective tracks can capture the collective mood of a season.

Source: AP News – This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

The post This Summer’s Top Hit Is a Ballad, Not a Party Anthem appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

When 7-year-old Sydney Nowak noticed dirty sodas – non-alcoholic beverages made popular by Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – on the menu at a Las Vegas Top Golf, she was stunned. Even more surprising was her 19-year-old cousin from the UK recognizing the drink.

“I never expected someone from another country to know what a dirty soda is, but it’s become so relevant in pop culture today,” Nowak said.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives chronicles the lives of eight married Mormon women in their 20s and early 30s living in Utah. The show’s first season became Hulu’s most-watched unscripted original series of the year and the third most-viewed original series across major streaming platforms during its premiere week, according to Nielsen. A second season is now in production.

This unconventional hit offers a buttoned-up alternative to the salacious reality shows dominating TV. It’s also part of a broader trend elevating unexpected voices to the forefront of pop culture.

Gen Z’s ‘Real Housewives’

Sydney Nowak and her friend Hannah Jaeger, both from Southern California, found themselves immersed in the cultural phenomenon of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Their podcast, BusyBabes, frequently discusses the series. Nielsen data reveals that Gen Z and young millennials comprised 54% of viewers during its peak week.

“You know how older generations were obsessed with The Real Housewives? This might be our version of that,” Nowak said in a recent podcast episode.

Before their Hulu fame, the eight Utah-based women built significant followings on TikTok as part of the #MomTok community, where they showcased their lives as young Mormon mothers. Collectively, they amassed nearly 16 million followers across platforms.

The Allure of Mormon Culture

Carnegie Mellon University’s English professor Kathy M. Newman attributes the fascination with these women to America’s long-standing intrigue with distinct cultural groups. Mormon traditions like abstaining from coffee and alcohol while indulging in quirky drinks like dirty sodas captivate outsiders.

“It’s a prurient interest in a culture perceived as different,” Newman said.

TikTok boosted the Mormon wives’ visibility in 2022, especially after Taylor Frankie Paul revealed a scandal involving “soft-swinging” – consensual partner sharing among Mormon couples. According to Lisa Filippilli of Select Management Group, the series was already in development when the scandal exploded, accelerating its production timeline.

“This group of women was always special. It was about finding the right moment and partners to bring their story to life,” Georgia Berger of Select Management Group told Collider.

The Rise of the #Tradwife

In parallel, other Mormon influencers like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman have led the viral #Tradwife trend. Millions of young viewers are captivated by Smith’s old-fashioned cooking and fashion, or they scour Neeleman’s social media for signs of the “oppressed wife” narrative outlined in a viral Sunday Times article.

Joel Penney, a communications professor at Montclair State University, suggests this fascination isn’t purely about shock value. Amid the pandemic, global conflicts, and economic challenges, younger generations have experienced a deep sense of disillusionment and are seeking structure and meaning.

“There’s anxiety about losing direction,” Penney said. “Reclaiming traditional roles provides clarity, identity, and purpose.” He likened the trend to historical shifts like the rise of the Moral Majority in the 1970s as a reaction to the 1960s counterculture.

Pushing Boundaries

Despite their ties to traditional values, the Mormon wives challenge conservatism within their community. The show addresses taboo topics, including sex and divorce, offering a nuanced portrayal of their lives. According to producers, this progressive edge is central to the series’ appeal.

“It keeps me on the edge of my seat,” Nowak said.

By blending tradition and modernity, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives resonates deeply with a new generation seeking meaning and entertainment in unexpected places.

Source

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