The deLillos and Postgirobygget songs Neste Sommer and Idyll are Norwegians' summer hit favorites. (photo deLillos: Agnete Brun, photo Arne Hurlen, press photo)
Two Norwegian classics reign supreme when Norwegians are asked to choose their favorites among well-known summer hits. Postgirobygget's Idyll and deLillos' Neste sommer share first place in a new, nationally representative survey from the research agency Opinion, conducted for TONO.
/ 02/07/2025 / Willy MartinsenEvery summer we hear summer songs and hits on the radio, playlists and concerts, but which of these are Norwegians' favorites? A representative sample of Norwegians over the age of 16 has now been asked this question by the analysis company Opinion on behalf of TONO.
– Norwegian music has gained a stronger position in recent years, but still faces strong competition from music from other countries. It is therefore nice and inspiring to see that there are two Norwegian songs that top the list of Norwegians' favorite summer hits, says Kristian Dugstad from TONO's communications department.
In the survey, respondents could choose up to three summer songs.
Every third Norwegian over the age of 16 (29 percent) chose Postgirobygget's Idyll and deLillo's Next summer, which thus shares first place as Norwegians' favorite summer hit.
Right behind follow two other immortal summer classics, namely Golden Times. Summer times (22 percent) and Mungo Jerry's In the Summertime (12 percent).
This was not unexpected, but still very pleasant. That a text I scribbled down in my notebook for the mathematics subject at Trondheim University College would end up becoming immortal fills me with pride and joy, says Hurlen.
Also Next summer, written by Lars Lillo-Stenberg and Kyrre S. Fritzner and published in 1993, has retained its position, after 32 years.
– We at deLillos are very happy that this song is still helping to create a good summer atmosphere. Thank you very much, says Lars Lillo-Stenberg.
Musical tastes vary with age, and the numbers show clear differences:
Although "Idyll" and "Next Summer" are doing well throughout the country, there are some regional differences:
Respondents could choose up to three songs. The percentage shows how much of the population chose each song:
| Title | Share |
| Postgiro Building – Idyll (1996) | 29% |
| deLillo's – Next Summer (1993) | 29% |
| Golden Times – Summer Times (1982) | 22% |
| Mungo Jerry – In the Summertime (1970) | 12% |
| Thomas Ledin – The summer is short (1982) | 8% |
| Shakira – Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (2010) | 7% |
| Freddy Kalas – Jovial (2016) | 7% |
| Katrina & The Waves – Walking on Sunshine (1985) | 7% |
| Calvin Harris – Summer (2014) | 5% |
| Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber - Despacito (2017) | 5% |
| Carp – Piano (2006) | 5% |
| Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar (2019) | 5% |
The survey was conducted by Opinion for TONO in June 2025 among a representative sample of 1051 Norwegians over the age of 16. Contact TONO to receive the figures for the survey.
TONO was founded in 1928 and is a non-profit cooperative owned and managed by composers, lyricists and music publishers. TONO manages the economic copyrights in their musical works and grants licenses for the public use of protected music for a fee. TONO's financial results are transferred to the rights holders of music that has been performed publicly in Norway and abroad. TONO has more than 43,000 members and also represents millions of international authors.
Kristian Dugstad, content producer, kristian.dugstad@tono.no, mob984 36 031
Willy Martinsen, Communications Director, willy.martinsen@tono.no, mobile 909 65 254