A Brief History Of Labor Day No. 1s and End-of-Summer Anthems

It’s that time of year once again, when Labor Day brings summer to an official close. No more white paints or Hawaiian shirts, and more importantly, no more Songs of the Summer. The race is officially over, and either the victorious track lingers, or it’s already been replaced by one that’s getting ready for colder weather.

While this year’s clear Song of the Summer, Carly Rae Jepsen’s lipdub-inspiring “Call Me Maybe,” is still standing at an impressive No. 4, Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” has been at No. 1 for two weeks now and doesn’t quite embody the same carefree summertime spirit. This got us to thinking: What other songs have hit the top of the charts on Labor Day? Is there a noticeable shift between from songs that make you wanna play beach volleyball to ones that encourage you explicitly not to?

Let’s run down a decade’s worth of Labor Day No. 1s and find out:

2012: Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

Catchy sure, but nothing like a hopeful “Call Me Maybe.” Taylor’s actually asking you to call her never. Stop calling.

2011: Katy Perry, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”

It’s been a long summer, and someone’s going to have to clean up all the plastic red cups from the backyard.

2010: Eminem feat. Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”

This eye-opening duet hit No. 1 after Katy Perry’s summertime requisite “California Girls,” and made all of August a bit more depressing.

2009: Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”

Never forget how the BEPs ruled the summer of 2009 with back-to-back No. 1s lasting all the way from April to October.

2008: Rihanna, “Disturbia”

Rihanna’s dark ode to stalking only sat atop the charts for two weeks until be dethroned by an equally fall-friendly hit, T.I.’s “Whatever You Like.”

2007: Sean Kingston, “Beautiful Girls”

The reggae-tinged “Beautiful Girls” was primed for warm weather success: It samples Ben E. King’s summertime classic “Stand by Me.”

2006: Fergie, “London Bridge”

Sandwiched in between Justin Timberlake singles, “London Bridge” was an abrasive pop song–and reminded you how much worse the weather probably was across the pond.

2005: Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together”

Doublecheck your summer fling this Labor Day: Do you belong together?

2004: Terror Squad, “Lean Back”

“Lean back, lean back, lean back…” the anthem of relaxation is perfect for one last lounge on your fold-up beach chair.

2003: Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z, “Crazy in Love”

Another duet that reminds you to hold on to you summertime romance, because your winter one just might not be… Beyoncé.

2002: Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland, “Dilemma”

A decade of Labor Day No. 1s ends with another summer romance that we think will last, just like its inspiration that held the charts for six weeks.

The post A Brief History Of Labor Day No. 1s and End-of-Summer Anthems appeared first on Popdust.