Summer 2024 was great fun for pop music fans: Between Charli XCX’s groundbreaking album brat, the feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and new releases from artists such as Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, it is undeniable that this summer has seen a resurgence of excitement in pop music as a whole. Yet many of these pop songs share a crucial element that the public seems to overlook: The role of the beverage. Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi,” and Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova” and “Coffee” all position a drink as the focal theme of the song.  

This is not the first time that a drink has been a prominent part of a hit song. There have been numerous popular songs across genres that prominently feature a drink or the act of drinking: Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” details a summer romance, and Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” tells a silly story about a man bored of his relationship. However, this summer saw three songs related to non-alcoholic beverages topping the charts; while there are allusions to wine in “Coffee,” it is only for a line in the chorus, with most of the focus being put on the titular beverage. 

Is it all froth, or is there a deeper meaning brewing here? The fact that there are four top songs related to drinks hardly feels like a coincidence. It is apparent that, in each of these songs, the role of the drink is to act as a distinct metaphor. In “Espresso,” Carpenter uses drinking the caffeinated beverage as a metaphor for her charisma and allure, which allows her to stay on someone’s mind—she’s the caffeine that is keeping her partner awake. In “Coffee,” Roan explores grabbing coffee to reconnect with an old flame, with the point of the song being that anything further would risk a more intimate relapse. Both “Red Wine Supernova” and “Diet Pepsi” only refer to the titular drinks in their choruses, but they both centre the relationship between beverages and love, as well as acting as references to musical beverage consumption of the past. Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova” references the Oasis hit “Champagne Supernova,” and Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” tips its hat to the Lana Del Rey track “Diet Mountain Dew.” 

Is there anything particular about the summer of 2024 that has us all, for lack of a better word, thirsty? It seems unlikely considering there’s a simpler explanation available: Having a drink, be it boozy or non-alcoholic, is a very common experience. Coffee shops are a prime spot for people to hang out with their friends, study, or just get some energy for the day, with some people even incorporating a visit to their local cafe in the morning as a vital component of their daily routine. Similarly, bars act as a social place for all occasions, giving people a space to congregate while they have a drink or two after work or on the weekend. Soft drinks, particularly soda or pop, serve as a common drink choice for many during dinner. Ultimately, it is clear that beverages are tied to the day-to-day lives of millions, which makes it no surprise that songwriters would turn to the idea for their own songs. 

So while it would be funny to suggest that people have experienced a sudden burst of thirst, the truth of this phenomenon is more rooted in the beverage’s universalizing power, making it a prime target for metaphors. We can only wait and see if this trend of beverage-themed pop hits continues into summer 2025 or if it will go flat.