Every year, around Labor Day, it’s a fun exercise to name the Song of the Summer — the song that defined the season and captured the culture, pouring out of every car radio and department store loudspeaker.

Traditionally, the Song of the Summer designation wasn’t anything official, but more of a vibe check. You knew it when you heard it. And you knew it because you heard it so damn much.

In 2010, Billboard decided to make the process less ephemeral and more mathematical, launching a Songs of the Summer chart with retroactive editions for every year from 1958 forward. The lineups were based on a combination of record sales and radio play, and later digital streams.

I don’t always agree with their conclusions (‘Espresso’ will forever by my Song of the Summer for 2024, no matter how well Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s ‘I Had Some Help’ performed), but I do have a soft spot for rules and structure.

So I checked out all of those charts and compiled my list of favorites from the 67-year history of official Songs of the Summer.

Here are my picks, with links to my thoughts and recordings of each song:

#10. ‘As It Was’ – Harry Styles

#9. ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ – Elton John & Kiki Dee

#8. ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ – The Supremes

#7. ‘One of These Nights’ – Eagles

#6. ‘Crazy in Love’ – Beyoncé

#5. ‘When Doves Cry’ – Prince

#4. ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ – The Rolling Stones

#3. ‘Umbrella’ – Rihanna

#2. ‘Jessie’s Girl’ – Rick Springfield

#1. ‘Every Breath You Take’ – The Police