Summer 2021: the summer hits of the post-lockdown era

The desire to dance and have fun – whilst taking the necessary precautions – is the highlight of this summer’s music scene. With brand-new tracks and remixes that have breathed new life into old favourites.

After a winter and spring during which, because of Covid, we were forced to stay at home, we have, so to speak, “built up” a desire to let our hair down and party – that’s undeniable. And, it seems, many artists have also “channelled” this euphoria into their music. This is particularly true of our local music scene, which, as always, is influenced by reggaeton-style beats (with a few exceptions…).

We have created a playlist on YouTube (you can see it below) featuring all the tracks we mention in this article: have a listen! But first… read the article!

Among the biggest names, once again in 2021, are the Boomdabash, and following the success of “Karaoke” in the summer of 2020 (in collaboration with Alessandra Amoroso), here they are with Mohicans (voiced by Baby K.). Also Takagi and Ketra, another winning duo from recent seasons (remember “Ciclone” last year?) have returned on schedule this year, alongside Giusy Ferreri, with the hit Shimmy Shimmy. To stay on the subject of Latin music, how could we not mention Shorty with “New Life”?

Finally, still on the subject of Italian songs, here are two tracks that are doing really well, although they’re quite different from the ones mentioned above: “You Drive Me Crazy” by Blanco and Sfera Ebbasta (a trap track with clear 80s influences in its musical choices) and *Toy Boy* by Colapesce and Di Martino, alongside the legendary Ornella Vanoni. This song has a slightly retro, sophisticated feel to it; whilst it isn’t a hit in the strict sense of the word, it’s perfect for these sweltering days when you don’t really feel like moving about too much…

INTERNATIONAL HITS: FROM THE BLACK EYED PEAS TO ED SHEERAN’S COMEBACK

Turning to international music, we should mention the Black Eyed Peas, so after last year’s two Latin-flavoured singles – namely ‘Girl like me’ featuring Shakira and ‘Mamacita’ (featuring Ozuna) – here they are with “Go for it!”, a track with a distinctive structure, as it combines a reggaeton-inspired beat with rather “cool” sounds – a touch of electro and hints of the 80s; As you can imagine, we’re really keen on the result, and it’s going down a treat in Italy too; given that it was released about a week ago, it’s certain that, as well as being a big hit in this second half of the summer, it’ll keep us company well into the autumn.

Speaking of a “regular” among the summer hits (and not just that… the album *Future Nostalgia* has been keeping us company for a year now), we’d also like to highlight Dua Lipa, which, with Love Again She’s still going from strength to strength (even though the single, taken from *Future Nostalgia*, has been out since May). Could it be down to the sound, which harks back to the past (specifically the 80s and 90s), and her fantastic voice? (Not to mention… the rest 🙂

Meanwhile, the English singer is making a comeback after a rather long break Ed Sheeran, with Bad Habits, “bad habits”. He, on the other hand, hasn’t lost his good habit of churning out hits: this song, *In Madrepatria*, debuted at the top of the singles chart, becoming Sheeran’s tenth number one. Which, in the version remix of the very Italian ones Medusa It’s also a hit in clubs (though not in Italy… where nightclubs are, at least officially, closed)

And *Bad Habits* paves the way for dance music, which really does have quite a few quality hits to its name.

DANCE: FROM BOB SINCLAR TO MARTIN GARRIX

Among the key figures, as has been the case for the past 15 years, Bob Sinclar, a well-known French DJ, who with “We Could Be Dancing” has taken its upbeat sound around the world (including Italy), garnering even more attention than “I’m on my way” from the summer of 2020. And another “old hand” who also “made a splash” during the summer of 2021 is Calvin Harris, with By Your Side. The winning streak then continues (let’s hope it lasts forever!) for the Purple Disco Machine, with Playbox

Another DJ originally from France, who has returned to the limelight after a few lacklustre tracks, is Kungs: Never Going Home, the video for which was filmed at the Cercle des Nageurs in Marseille, has perhaps become the real “official” hit when it comes to dance music, much like ’This Girl’ did in 2016.

Highly popular with fans of 90s dance music, the summer track by J Balvin and Skrillex: they’ve produced a really well-made version of At Da Gettor, which was made a hit in its original version by David Morales in 1994.

Now that the European Championships are over, the buzz has died down a bit ‘We Are The People’ by Bono, Martin Garrix and The Edge, but especially in the early part of the summer, it certainly played its part.

BONGO CHA CHA CHA: THE REAL HIT?

And finally…. ‘Bongo Cha Cha Cha’ by the Goodboys. The real summer hit! The remix of the 1960s single by Caterina Valente, now aged 92, is taking Instagram and TikTok by storm, where it has already racked up 1.5 billion views.

OUR PLAYLIST WITH THE SONGS OF SUMMER 2021