Just as “California Gurls” and “Call Me Maybe” became royalty of the airways in recent years, a new cache of catchy choruses have graced us with their presence over the past three months. Despite the growing trend of relying solely on Spotify for music purposes, the concept of a “summer hit” is still going strong.

Although it hit the charts a few months before the summer began, Icona Pop’s “I Love It” has been firmly blasting from many Millikin students’ car speakers this summer.  Selena Gomez has also made her mark with her instantly likeable “Come & Get It”.

Sophomore Mikayla Mendenhall, of Blue Mound, Ill. said, “It’s got this Indian-esque feel to it […] and it’s catchy. Even though I say I’m tired of hearing it, I still end up singing along.”

This seems to be the case for many of the songs being showcased this summer. The tale of singing along in spite of constant airtime is a trend for several tracks. Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop,” for instance, has been high on the charts for many weeks now. Having grown up with the young star, many Millikin students are still in awe of her change from Hannah Montana to a short-haired, twerking diva.

Jackie Boaden, a Sophomore from Edinburg, Ill. said she’s been jamming to “Here’s to Never Growing Up” by Avril Lavigne. When asked why she said, “Well…I don’t wanna grow up and it’s my theme song right now.” Boaden has also been listening to “Ceiling Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore of “Thrift Shop” fame, saying that it, “always reminds me of my dorm friends”.

Singing along isn’t the only thing that the songs of this summer have inspired. “Cups” by Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick, has almost become a cult classic. After speaking with several students, nearly half said they had learned the addicting hand game that serves as the percussion for Kendrick’s track.

Mainstream Top 40 songs haven’t been the only thing flooding the ears of the Big Blue. Amanda Skopek, a Sophomore Elementary Education major said that, after attending Warped Tour this summer, she and her roommate have been listening to a group called Hands Like Houses constantly. Her favorite track from the band’s new album is “Ocean Dust.”

“They [the band] are a lot like Panic At The Disco”, Skopek said “so, if you like them, you’ll definitely love Hands Like Houses.” She goes on to say, “[The music] is fantastic. It needs to be listened to by everyone.” Her roommate quickly agreed, saying that she has almost stopped listening to all other music after discovering the band.

Newly discovered bands aside, the Top 40 Scene is still going strong as summer comes to an end. Lady Gaga’s new single “Applause,” has been fighting with Katy Perry’s “Roar” for the last week after both tracks were released on the same day. As two more artists squeeze their way into the last dregs of summer, it’s clear that the “summer hit” is far from dead. Although the summer is ending, it may be best to do as Florida Georgia Line suggests: “Simply roll the windows down and cruise.”