Best Song Ever: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without overcomplicating the voicing, making it genuinely singable for developing choirs. The 2-part texture keeps focus on the melody and groove while allowing singers to feel the contemporary production values they already know. Programming a track this recognizable creates an instant connection with audiences and gives students a legitimate reason to care about the music they're rehearsing.

Celebratory and buoyant, with an irresistible forward motion that makes singers want to move. The arrangement captures that summer anthem quality, infectious and unabashedly fun, without losing the melodic hook that made the original a global hit.

Choirs at the middle and early high school level who want contemporary repertoire that feels current without being patronizing. Any director looking to bridge the gap between what students listen to and what they sing in ensemble.

• Lock into the groove by having singers internalize the rhythmic feel before adding lyrics; the pocket matters as much as pitch accuracy here.
• Keep diction crisp and conversational rather than operatic, letting the pop sensibility come through in how vowels and consonants land.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to build confidence with the harmonic backdrop, then pull it away strategically to develop independence.
• Balance energy with clarity; the song thrives on brightness and drive, but not at the expense of ensemble blend in the 2-part writing.

Build a pop-themed concert around this, pairing it with other contemporary arrangements that share its energy. It also works beautifully as a closing number when you want to send the audience out smiling and energized.

• Singing in pop/rock style with contemporary tone and phrasing
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated, groove-based arrangements
• Blending two-part harmony while preserving individual melodic clarity
• Responding to recorded accompaniment and tracking against a rhythmic grid