Alex Warren‘s “Ordinary,” a love ballad released in February, has held the top spot on Billboard‘s Song of the Summer chart for fourteen weeks. This is unusual, as the chart typically features upbeat, summery hits. Music experts noted the song’s slower tempo compared to typical summer anthems.
Several factors contributed to “Ordinary“‘s unexpected success. One is a relative scarcity of compelling new summer releases from popular artists. While artists like Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter released new music, none achieved the same level of popularity. Another factor is a noticeable decline in interest in new music overall.
A mid-year report from Luminate indicated a 3.3% drop in streaming of new tracks in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. Only three of the top ten songs on Luminate‘s report, based on US on-demand audio streams, were released in 2025. Many songs on Billboard‘s charts have remained there for extended periods. For instance, Chappell Roan‘s “Pink Pony Club” has been on the Hot 100 for 63 weeks.
Luminate‘s vice president of music insights, Jaime Marconette, linked the preference for older music to the rise of “recession pop”—music released around the 2008 financial crisis. This trend suggests a nostalgic element and a desire for escapism.
Paula Harper, a musicologist at the University of Chicago, observed that many people, when asked about the 2025 song of the summer, cited songs from 2024, often surprised at how long ago those songs were released. TikTok played a significant role in maintaining the popularity of these older tracks.
The success of “Ordinary” as a ballad raised questions about listener preferences. While ballads like Olivia Rodrigo‘s “Driver’s License” have been successful, they are not typically suited for dominating the summer charts. Experts suggested “Ordinary” isn’t designed for a summer anthem status, unlike upbeat tracks.
Ethan Hein, an adjunct professor of music at New York University and the New School, suggested the preference for “Ordinary” reflects a cultural mood. He noted a lack of enthusiasm among his songwriting students for creating upbeat pop songs, with many submitting more somber pieces. He believes this reflects a lack of excitement about the present and future.
Ray Leone, a music psychologist, suggested that listeners might be drawn to “Ordinary” as a counterpoint to the perceived chaos of the world. He proposed that the song’s personal and intimate nature offers a sense of connection in contrast to larger societal anxieties.
Joe Bennett, a professor at Berklee College of Music, viewed the song’s success within the context of enduring human emotions. He emphasized that love songs, like “Ordinary,” remain timeless and offer solace regardless of broader societal circumstances. The success of Warren‘s song, therefore, reflects a complex interplay of musical trends, cultural anxieties, and enduring human emotions.
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