Who’s Dominating the Charts? July’s Top Tracks Revealed
Summer charts usually follow a formula: light beats, easy hooks, and songs made for carefree poolside playlists. But July 2025 is showing a new trend.
The Billboard Hot 100 for July 2025 is led by songs that are performing exceptionally well on streaming platforms and social media.
However, the carefree summer music vibe is shifting, with several of the top-charting songs leaning into sarcasm and tension, built for viral attention. Others are quiet yet smart, with deeper subject matter than most summer singles typically allow.
So, without further ado, let's get into this year's top summer anthems and discuss where each song stands and why it's getting attention.
Sabrina Carpenter: "Manchild"
Peak: No. 1 | Weeks on Chart: 3
"Manchild" is the most talked-about hit of the summer. The lyrics target emotionally immature men through sarcastic commentary. Produced by Jack Antonoff, and rightfully so, as the song is absolutely dripping with his signature 1980s retro-pop style.
This catchy summer hit remains at the top of the charts but has also received criticism for being 'shallow and repetitive.' Some listeners have pointed out that the same song with reversed gender roles would be considered offensive.
The music video is visually chaotic and leans heavily into satire. Critics are split on whether the message holds up. Some have praised the song's humor and simplicity, while others have questioned how seriously Carpenter should be taken as a songwriter.
Regardless of the debate, "Manchild" has done what it set out to do: get noticed.
Reneé Rapp – "Leave Me Alone"
Peak: No. 2 | Weeks on Chart: 5
"Leave Me Alone" is loud, messy, and completely on-brand for Reneé Rapp. The lyrics are brash and unapologetic from the jump, delivered over a beat that blends club energy with pop-punk. She swings between talk-singing and melodic lines like she’s venting mid-party and that rawness works in her favor.
The response has been mixed, but not indifferent. Some critics have praised the track’s confidence and sense of fun. Others have called it crude and unfocused.
The music video adds to the song's impact, showing Rapp in a violent pillow fight party that ends in blood. It’s a clear shift from the emotional restraint of Snow Angel. With “Leave Me Alone,” Rapp’s not interested in subtlety. She’s clearing space for whatever comes next.
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean – "Rein Me In"
Peak: No. 3 | Debut Week
"Rein Me In" is a rework of a solo track from Sam Fender's latest album, now getting a second life as a duet with Olivia Dean. The new version turns a self-reflective track into a two-sided story about emotional distance and quiet desperation.
The vocals are understated, almost conversational, which fits the song’s tone. The production stays out of the way, letting the lyrics do the heavy lifting. It doesn't aim for that viral hook we often see in top summer hits. It’s just a solid, emotionally honest track.
The original was strong, but this update gives it broader reach without losing its core. Fender’s gift for restraint and narrative clarity continue to be his biggest assets.
Benson Boone – "Mystical Magical"
Peak: No. 4 | Weeks on Chart: 9
The phrase "moonbeam ice cream" might not be deep lyricism, but it stuck — for better or worse. It's not high-concept writing, but it's precisely what streaming platforms reward.
“Mystical Magical” trades Boone’s typical emotional balladry for something lighter and more playful. The synth-pop production is airy, and his vocals remain smooth and controlled.
It’s not his most personal or compelling work, but it shows he’s willing to loosen up and try something different. As far as mid-chart pop goes, it does what it needs to: it keeps Boone in rotation and adds a new color to his roster.
Hailee Steinfeld – "Dangerous"
Peak: No. 1 (×3) | Weeks on Chart: 9
Hailee Steinfeld's return to music after a two-year hiatus did not go unnoticed. "Dangerous," released as part of the Sinners soundtrack, immediately drew attention and marked a confident, controlled reentry into the pop landscape.
The production by Ludwig Göransson is cinematic and polished. Steinfeld co-wrote the song, describing it as a reflection of her character's emotional conflict in the film.
The song is built around steady percussion and layered vocals. There are not many vocal risks here, and it doesn't break new musical ground. Still, the track was well-executed, however, it's unlikely to have a long-term chart impact beyond the film's success.
Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that she's capable of moving seamlessly between screen and studio.
Benson Boone – "Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else"
Peak: No. 5 | Weeks on Chart: 17
This is Boone's most emotionally grounded track on the charts right now. The lyrics tell a story of conflicting emotions and heartbreak as Boone finds himself face-to-face with a past love, pretending he's moved on while quietly unraveling inside.
Critics have hailed the song as a strong example of his storytelling prowess. He's still walking a fine line between adult contemporary and pop, but his vocal clarity and sincerity are consistent.
Sam Fender – "Little Bit Closer"
Peak: No. 1 (×4) | Weeks on Chart: 18
"Little Bit Closer" is one of the few tracks in the Top 10 that deals directly with social themes. Fender criticizes calls out religious hypocrisy while trying to reclaim a sense of spiritual connection.
The arrangement feels like a soft anthem, built to be inclusive yet direct, leaning on choir-style vocals and familiar chord progressions.
Not everyone will connect with the message, and some of the lyrics are oversimplified. But the message is what's carried it on the charts for 18 weeks and kept it in conversation.
Sleep Token – "Emergence"
Peak: No. 1 (×3) | Weeks on Chart: 15
"Emergence" is the most unconventional song in the Top 10. At six minutes long, it shifts through multiple genres, starting with a piano ballad, transitioning into a trap beat, then heavy metal, and closing with jazz. That's deliberate.
Sleep Token fans expect this level of experimentation and chaos, and this song delivers.
The structure makes it impossible to program for radio, but that's not the point. What matters here is artistic control and musical risk-taking. For a progressive metal track to land this high on the Hot 100, even briefly, is rare. It reflects a growing appetite for genre disruption.
It's streaming well, and critics have praised it as one of the most ambitious releases of the year.
Selena Gomez, benny blanco & The Marías – “Ojos Tristes”
Peak: No. 1 (×3) | Weeks on Chart: 14
"Ojos Tristes" is a slow, restrained, bilingual ballad focused on emotional detail. The production is restrained, and the vocal performances are soft but effective. The song is built around emotional fatigue — one person leaving a relationship while the other struggles to let go. The chorus includes lines from a 1981 Spanish ballad, giving the song a touch of nostalgia.
Selena Gomez and María Zardoya deliver the song with softness rather than power. It's not a breakthrough moment, but the execution is strong, and the concept is clear.
Ed Sheeran – "Azizam"
Peak: No. 1 | Weeks on Chart: 14
"Azizam" follows the Sheeran formula: accessible pop, mid-tempo rhythm, and clean vocals — this time with Persian musical elements and a Farsi title. The addition of the Citizens of the World Choir adds depth, but the structure remains safe.
Critics have called it predictable, and even Sheeran's response to a viral online critique was casual and unbothered, as he acknowledged that he's just making what he enjoys. It's not groundbreaking, but it works, and it's a brilliant addition to his catalog.
Summer Hits Are Evolving and So Are the Listeners
If July's charts are any indication, the summer of 2025 belongs less to the escapist anthem and more to the track that starts a conversation. Instead of light, feel-good anthems, this month's top tracks lean into tension, emotional complexity, and viral provocation—and that might be the new standard for what defines a summer hit.