What the MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Means
The MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer is a seasonal, fan-voted honor that celebrates songs released in the late summer window that capture the mood of the season. Introduced in 2015, the category is decided by a combination of fan votes and music-fan data, highlighting tracks that perform strongly on streaming and social platforms during the summer months. Unlike competitive VMA categories judged by the Recording Academy, Song of Summer is curated to reflect real-time engagement and cultural buzz, underscoring MTV’s focus on music discovery and fan participation during peak listening periods.
How the Song of Summer Category Works
Each summer, MTV opens a voting window for the Song of Summer category, typically running through a multiweek fan vote across MTV platforms and the VMAs website. Fans can vote online and via the MTV app, while data from official music partners informs the shortlist. A distinct subset of nominees often includes songs from MTV’s “Push” artists and emerging acts, aligning the category with MTV’s broader mission to surface new music. The winner is announced during the main VMA broadcast or related programming, integrating the category into the broader awards narrative while retaining its seasonal, discovery-oriented focus.
Audience Vote Mechanics
- Voting period tied to summer music season (usually July–August)
- Fan votes carry significant weight alongside streaming and engagement metrics
- Nominees frequently include tracks from MTV Push artists
- Shortlist and winner announced on VMAs broadcast
Notable Song of Summer Winners
Since its launch in 2015, the category has highlighted mainstream pop hits as well as emerging artists, often reflecting shifts in streaming and social trends. Several winners went on to dominate year-end categories and accumulate multi-platinum certifications, demonstrating the category’s role as a precursor to broader commercial success. The following table outlines the annual winners, nominees, and key commercial context for the most prominent editions.
| Year | Song of Summer Winner | Primary Artist | Certification (US, RIAA) | Streaming Peak (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Can’t Feel My Face | The Weeknd | Diamond (10M) | 300M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2016 | This Is What You Came For (feat. Rihanna) | Calvin Harris | 3× Platinum (3M) | 150M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2017 | Wild Thoughts | DJ Khaled, Rihanna, Bryson Tiller | 3× Platinum (3M) | 120M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2018 | In My Feelings | Drake | Diamond (10M) | 400M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2019 | Old Town Road (Remix) | Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus | Diamond (10M) | 500M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2020 | Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) | Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo | 3× Platinum (3M) | 200M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2021 | Good Days | SZA | 5× Platinum (5M) | 120M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2022 | As It Was | Harry Styles | 2× Platinum (2M) | 250M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2023 | Last Night | Morgan Wallen | 5× Platinum (5M) | 200M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
| 2024 | Espresso | Sabrina Carpenter | Platinum (1M) | 130M+ weekly streams (peak summer) |
Song of Summer Compared to Other VMA Categories
Song of Summer occupies a distinct niche within the VMA ecosystem. While Song of Summer is fan-voted and seasonal, other categories such as Song of the Year and Best Pop are broader, industry-judged honors not limited to a specific season. Below is a concise comparison to clarify positioning and selection criteria.
| Category | Selection Method | Eligibility Window | Timing Within VMAs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Song of Summer | Fan vote + data | Late Spring to early Fall releases | Summer-focused, announced mid-to-late VMAs |
| Song of the Year | Industry jury | Full year eligibility | Main VMAs awards |
| Best Pop | Industry jury | Eligibility per genre rules | Genre-specific VMAs |
Why Song of Summer Matters for Artists and Labels
Winning or even being nominated for Song of Summer can meaningfully amplify reach during a critical seasonal window. The category’s fan-first orientation often translates into measurable surges in Shazam activity, playlist adds, and social impressions. For labels, it represents a low-cost, high-visibility slot to support campaign momentum for mid-tier releases or breakthrough Push artists. Because voting is public and engagement-driven, the category rewards songs with strong grassroots momentum and culturally resonant moments tied to summer lifestyles.
How to Track and Influence Song of Summer Campaigns
Artists and teams can monitor performance by tracking MTV’s official nominee announcements, social amplification on MTV’s channels, and real-time voting windows that typically appear on the VMAs site and app. Building audience activation before and during the voting window—through targeted social posts, behind-the-scenes content, and clear call-to-actions—can materially shift outcomes. Because data from streaming partners also feeds into shortlists, ensuring strong performance on official charts and curated playlists in the weeks leading up to voting can strengthen a song’s positioning.
Common Misconceptions About Song of Summer
- It’s purely fan-voted: Voting is combined with music-fan data from official partners.
- Only new songs are eligible: Songs released in the broader summer window are eligible, regardless of exact release date.
- It predicts yearly Song of the Year: While some winners cross over, the categories serve different audiences and criteria.
- Nominations require an MTV Push slot: Push inclusion increases visibility but is not mandatory for nomination.
Tips for Artists and Marketers Targeting Song of Summer
- Align releases with the summer listening season and MTV announcements.
- Activate fan communities early to drive voting volume and consistency.
- Coordinate playlist pushes with official data windows used by MTV partners.
- Leverage visual content and short-form video to drive engagement on MTV’s social platforms.
- Plan a clear call-to-action around voting windows shown on MTV and VMAs properties.
Future of the Song of Summer Category
As MTV continues to evolve its awards strategy, the Song of Summer category is likely to retain its fan-voted, data-informed model while potentially integrating emerging platforms and formats. Expect tighter integration with streaming dashboards, augmented reality experiences on MTV apps, and more interactive voting mechanisms. For artists and marketers, the category will remain a strategic milestone within the summer promotional calendar, offering high-impact visibility aligned with seasonal listening habits.
Conclusion
MTV’s Song of Summer is a seasonal fan-voted category that captures the energy of late-summer listening while serving as a performance-driven milestone for artists. By understanding the nomination and voting mechanics, studying past winners, and aligning campaigns with MTV’s promotional calendar, artists and labels can maximize impact. The category differs from broader VMA honors by emphasizing real-time fan engagement and cultural relevance during the peak months of music consumption.