Spotify crowns Sabrina Carpenter the summer queen

As the summer sun set this year, music fans noticed something unusual: the season didn’t produce the usual blockbuster party anthem. Instead of a single chart-topping smash, listeners gravitated toward deeper, more introspective songs. Spotify reports that summer 2025 was the least danceable, lowest-energy summer in a decade.

Behind the scenes, Spotify’s editorial team compiled a list of five Songs of the Summer that defined 2025. The tracks ranged from mellow ballads to international dancehall remixes, but one name clearly stood out. By August’s end, Sabrina Carpenter had risen to the very top of this list.

How did Sabrina Carpenter earn that crown? It wasn’t overnight. Over the past two summers, she has quietly built a string of catchy, culture-making hits, each showcasing her clever, tongue-in-cheek style. This summer, with streaming numbers soaring and fans buzzing, some are already calling her pop’s “Summer Queen.”

Curious how a Disney alum turned pop star became such a phenomenon? Keep reading to find out how Spotify and fans came together to crown Sabrina Carpenter the summer queen.

Spotify’s songs of summer highlight Sabrina Carpenter

Spotify’s year-end playlists set the stage for Sabrina’s success. The streaming giant revealed its official Songs of Summer 2025, and Carpenter’s name was front and center. According to Spotify, summer listeners abandoned high-energy beats for more mellow tunes.

Spotify highlighted that “Manchild” wasn’t just another release; it dominated their charts. It sat at No. 1 on the U.S. Daily Top Songs chart for nearly a month, showing just how sticky the song was with listeners. Even casual fans who weren’t following Sabrina closely before this summer found themselves humming the tune.

At the same time, Spotify made sure to showcase variety. Their Songs of Summer also included heartfelt ballads and even a global dance remix that found international success. Yet within that eclectic mix, Sabrina’s single stood out as the centerpiece of pop. It was proof that audiences still crave sharp lyrics and clever storytelling in their summer anthems.

Manchild is a snarky summer anthem

“Manchild” captured the mood of 2025 with its cheeky but infectious energy. The single balances playful pop hooks with biting commentary, targeting immature partners in a way that feels both relatable and lighthearted.

The song’s music video doubled down on the humor. In it, Sabrina rides through a desert surrounded by bumbling “manchildren,” poking fun at clueless behavior in a surreal, over-the-top way. The visuals amplified the comedy baked into the track’s lyrics, making it even more shareable on social media.

Part of the reason “Manchild” worked so well was Sabrina’s co-writing team. Collaborating with Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff, she created a track that was pop-polished but still full of personality.

Critics praised “Manchild” as one of Sabrina’s best songs yet. Outlets noted how she seamlessly combined humor, heartbreak, and empowerment into a three-minute track. NPR called it catchy and funny, Billboard emphasized its staying power, and fans crowned it their summer anthem.

A string of summer hits and awards

Sabrina’s summer dominance wasn’t a one-time fluke. “Manchild” followed a line of hits that began with “Please Please Please” and exploded with “Espresso” in 2024. These songs built her reputation as the queen of clever, tongue-in-cheek pop. They also set her up to have back-to-back summers of success, a feat not many artists achieve.

Her single “Espresso” was particularly important. It earned over 1.7 billion streams on Spotify, became a cultural touchstone, and even inspired coffee-flavored ice cream collaborations. The track won Song of the Year at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, cementing Sabrina’s place in pop’s mainstream.

Awards and recognition piled up quickly. Sabrina landed six Grammy nominations by early 2025, including nods in major categories like Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Industry watchers pointed out that she wasn’t just riding viral hype; she was receiving acknowledgment from the most established institutions in music.

Together, these milestones created the perfect runway for “Manchild” to take off. By the time the single arrived, Sabrina already had a proven track record of delivering clever hits. Fans were ready, critics were paying attention, and Spotify was more than willing to crown her.

Chart domination and streaming success

When “Manchild” dropped in June 2025, it was clear from the start that it would be massive. The single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her second chart-topping hit in less than two years. It also raced to the top of the Pop Airplay chart, proving that radio stations were as invested in her music as streaming audiences.

Streaming numbers told an equally impressive story. On Spotify, “Manchild” held the top spot on the U.S. Daily Top Songs chart for 25 consecutive days. That kind of staying power is rare in today’s fast-paced streaming world. While other songs came and went in the rankings, Sabrina’s single remained steady, reflecting both replay value and cultural relevance.

Internationally, Sabrina’s presence also grew. While other Spotify highlights like global dance remixes ruled overseas, “Manchild” found traction across markets where English-language pop still dominates. Fans from Europe to Asia posted covers and memes based on the track, further spreading its influence.

Fans, critics, and the summer queen buzz

Beyond the charts, Sabrina Carpenter’s personality played a huge role in her new title. Fans connect to her not just because of her music, but because she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She mixes sharp lyrics with playful delivery, making listeners feel like they’re in on the joke.

Critics, too, have taken notice. Outlets like NPR described her approach as screwball comedy set to pop beats, noting that her humor makes even bitter songs feel light and fun. While some traditionalists dismiss her style as too tongue-in-cheek, most agree that her comedic edge is part of what sets her apart from other pop stars.

By the end of summer, the conversation wasn’t just about her hit singles. It was about her as an entertainer, a storyteller, and someone redefining what a modern pop star can look like. That’s why the phrase “summer queen” stuck so easily.

What’s next for Sabrina

With summer 2025 in the books, Sabrina Carpenter is already looking ahead. Her new album Man’s Best Friend dropped on August 29, packed with songs that continue her signature mix of humor and honesty. At a special Spotify-hosted listening event, she described the album as feeling like a diary entry, a snapshot of her personal life during this wild ride.

Her plans for the rest of the year are equally ambitious. Carpenter has a massive arena tour lined up, with stops at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’s Crypto.com Arena. Tickets are already in high demand, signaling that her fanbase isn’t just loyal, it’s expanding rapidly.

Industry insiders suggest that Sabrina is entering a career-defining chapter. With multiple Grammy nominations, chart-topping singles, and consistent streaming dominance, she’s crossed over from rising star to household name. The big question now is whether she can sustain that momentum into the fall and beyond.

If “Manchild” is any indication, she’s well-positioned to do just that. For now, Sabrina Carpenter holds the crown as Spotify’s “Summer Queen,” but the coming months will reveal whether her reign stretches past the season.

TL;DR

• Sabrina Carpenter was crowned Spotify’s “Summer Queen” for 2025.
• Her song “Manchild” dominated both Spotify charts and Billboard.
• The track stayed at #1 on Spotify’s U.S. chart for 25 straight days.
• It follows her 2024 smash “Espresso,” which earned 1.7B+ streams.
• She earned multiple Grammy nominations and a VMA win in 2024.
• Fans and critics embraced her witty, tongue-in-cheek pop style.
• New album Man’s Best Friend and arena tours mark her next big era.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.