AceShowbiz - As summer approaches, the race for the coveted Song of the Summer title is heating up early. Even though the official Songs of the Summer chart will debut just after Memorial Day, industry insiders are already sizing up the front-runners shaping the competition.

At the forefront of this discussion is undoubtedly Ella Langley, who currently dominates the Billboard Hot 100 with the top two positions and an additional track just outside the top 10. Her strong presence on the charts positions her as a clear frontrunner, but she faces stiff competition from established artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan, as well as a potential surge from Morgan Wallen, her duet partner and one of the most prolific artists in Hot 100 history.

Billboard’s editorial team has taken a closer look at the early contenders and what might unfold as the summer progresses. Here are five key questions they explored about the current Song of the Summer landscape.

1. Can Ella Langley Maintain Her Early Dominance?

With three songs charting near the top 10, including the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, Ella Langley looks positioned to lead the summer race. But will her momentum last throughout the season?

Katie Atkinson notes that "Choosin’ Texas," Langley’s current No. 1 hit, might have peaked too early to sustain its dominance all summer. She draws a parallel to 2023 when Langley’s duet partner Morgan Wallen won Song of the Summer with "Last Night," which first reached No. 1 in mid-March. This precedent suggests that early success doesn’t necessarily prevent a song from holding its ground for months.

Atkinson also highlights Langley’s song "Be Her" as a personal favorite but suggests it may be too mellow to surpass "Choosin’ Texas." Instead, the duet "I Can’t Love You Anymore" with Wallen, currently at No. 11 after debuting at No. 7, could gain traction once the anticipated chart surge from Drake subsides. The combination of Langley and Wallen is described as particularly powerful for this summer.

Kyle Denis agrees that the summer belongs to Langley, expecting "Choosin’ Texas" to remain a staple. He compares it to last year’s No. 1 Song of the Summer, Alex Warren’s "Ordinary," which is still charting impressively after 65 weeks. Denis also foresees "Be Her" possibly taking over as the standout track before fall arrives.

Josh Glicksman sees no immediate threat to Langley’s trio of hits, especially "I Can’t Love You Anymore." Considering the collaboration is in its early weeks on Country Airplay radio, he believes it has significant room to grow during the hotter months ahead.

Lyndsey Havens predicts "Be Her" could eventually replace "Choosin’ Texas" as the top song, citing its upbeat production as more fitting for summer vibes, while also acknowledging the emotional weight of "Texas" may appeal to those preferring a more melancholic summer soundtrack.

Meanwhile, Andrew Unterberger remains confident in "Choosin’ Texas," noting its ten-week tenure at No. 1 with minimal competition. He emphasizes the song’s growth in both streams and radio, suggesting this trend will continue for at least another couple of months.

2. Which Other Songs Could Heat Up the Summer Charts?

Beyond Langley’s dominance, some other tracks are poised to maintain or even increase their popularity through the summer months.

Katie Atkinson points to Bruno Mars’ "Risk It All," especially with its newly released Spanish-language version. She speculates that a collaboration with a prominent Latina artist such as Karol G, Shakira, or Rosalía, combined with a major live performance on his Romantic World Tour, could propel the song to a summer surge. However, she doesn’t see Olivia Rodrigo’s current single "Drop Dead" as a contender but advises watching for her next release from the album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.

Kyle Denis describes the current Hot 100 top 10 as somewhat stagnant but expects Olivia Rodrigo to have a bigger hit on the horizon. He also anticipates continued growth for the remix of "Dracula" by Tame Impala and JENNIE. Outside the top 10, Denis highlights several rising tracks including Zara Larsson’s "Midnight Sun," Stella Lefty’s "Boston," Malcolm Todd’s "Earrings," Sombr’s "Homewrecker," and DaBaby’s "Pop Dat Thang." He also mentions the Michael Jackson biopic potentially boosting "Billie Jean" for the summer.

Josh Glicksman notes that six of the top 10 songs have already spent at least 30 weeks on the Hot 100. While upcoming blockbuster album releases, including Drake’s multiple new projects, are expected to shake up the charts, many current hits are likely to remain mainstays throughout the summer.

Lyndsey Havens singles out Tame Impala and JENNIE’s "Dracula" remix as the most obvious pick among top 10 songs, though she acknowledges its downtempo style doesn’t perfectly align with typical summer anthems.

Andrew Unterberger agrees "Dracula" has exceeded expectations in its seasonal appeal despite not being a conventional summer track. However, he doubts any of the other charting artists near Langley will seriously challenge her for the seasonal crown.

3. Which Newcomers Might Enter the Song of the Summer Conversation?

Some songs have yet to break through into the Song of the Summer chatter but show potential to do so as their momentum builds.

Katie Atkinson identifies Tucker, the recently crowned ACM New Male Artist of the Year, as a promising contender likely to enter the conversation as the summer progresses. His rising popularity and fresh releases position him as someone to watch closely in the coming weeks.

Other emerging artists and songs are expected to make their mark as more listeners tune in and streaming numbers climb. Industry watchers anticipate that as the competition intensifies, new entries will shake up the rankings and possibly challenge the early leaders.

4. How Will Upcoming Releases Impact the Competition?

The release of major albums and singles in the coming weeks is expected to influence the race significantly. Notably, Drake’s planned triple album drop is anticipated to cause a substantial shift on the charts, potentially displacing some current hits or altering their trajectories.

Despite these anticipated changes, experts believe that Ella Langley’s stronghold on the top positions is unlikely to be fully disrupted. Her multiple hits and ongoing radio presence create a robust foundation that may absorb the impact of new releases better than other artists.

5. What Trends Are Emerging in the Song of the Summer Selection?

Several trends are evident among the early contenders for Song of the Summer 2026. There is a notable presence of country music, led by Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen, suggesting the genre’s continued crossover appeal in mainstream pop charts.

Collaborations remain a strategic tool, with duets like "I Can’t Love You Anymore" gaining particular attention for their star power and replay value. Additionally, artists are exploring multilingual releases, such as Bruno Mars’ Spanish-language version of "Risk It All," to broaden their audience reach.

Another trend is the balance between upbeat, energetic tracks suited for summer festivities and more introspective songs that resonate with a broader range of emotions during the season. This duality is reflected in the contrasting vibes between "Be Her" and "Choosin’ Texas," for example.

Overall, the summer music scene is shaping up to be diverse and competitive, with both established stars and new faces vying for listeners’ attention.

As the weeks progress and the post-Memorial Day chart officially launches, the Song of the Summer race will become clearer. For now, Ella Langley stands as the artist to beat, but the music landscape is dynamic, and surprises could still emerge to challenge her reign.