Will Ariana Grande’s “Problem” Be 2014’s Song Of The Summer?

Slip on your shades, grab a glass of lemonade and check back each day over the next week and a half as we present you seven different Song Of The Summer contenders!

It’s that time of year again, pop fans, when every site devoted to pop culture will attempt to predict what the Song Of The Summer will be…before the summer season actually begins, naturally. Regarding last year, it’s safe to say that Robin Thicke‘s somewhat controversial sex jam “Blurred Lines” walked away with the title, while just two years ago it was Carly Rae Jepsen‘s “Call Me Maybe” that blew up the airwaves all through the warmest months of 2012.

So here’s the deal: We here at Idolator are presenting one Song Of The Summer contender a day, then capping the roll-out off with a poll where you can vote on the one from the bunch that’s your favorite — only this time, we’re highlighting seven songs rather than the usual five. And with that now out of the way, let’s get on with it!

We’re starting the whole SOS shebang off this time around with Ariana Grande‘s sax-filled “Problem,” a raucous pop jam which, thanks to Iggy Azalea‘s current chart-topper “Fancy,” has been stuck in the runner-up position on the Billboard Hot 100 for the past two weeks. Ariana can’t have too many hard feelings though, since, of course, Iggy also features on “Problem.”

Ari first debuted “Problem” at the Radio Disney Music Awards in late April. The song, co-produced by Max Martin, Shellback and Ilya, shot straight to the top of the iTunes chart in no time flat, and in case you haven’t checked the digital retailer lately, it’s still lording over the store’s Top Singles chart, nearly 40 days later.

The ’60s-themed music video for “Problem,” directed by Nev Todorovic, is exactly the type of fun, lighthearted fare that you’d expect from a Song Of The Summer contender. (Again, think “Call Me Maybe,” “Blurred Lines” or Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera‘s “Moves Like Jagger,” from 2011.) In the visual, Ariana rocks several slick black and white outfits and white thigh-high boots, while Iggy sports a blonde bouffant. Groovy, baby!

It’s all so swingin’, and we must give props to the ladies for almost pulling off a clip as far out as the ultimate pop video throwback to the ’60s, Deee-Lite‘s similarly retro “Groove Is In The Heart.”

And so, with “Problem” being inescapable on radio, the video having premiered and the only way to go being up on the charts — to the #1 position, that is — we think Ariana and Iggy have a fair shot at obtaining the Song Of The Summer crown for 2014.

What do you say? Let us know below, and be sure to check back tomorrow and all next week as we roll out even more contenders for this year’s SOS race!

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