In my teenage days as a fledgling singer in a garage band (because that’s where we deserved to be seen/heard), I penned a ditty called, “Summer Is A Bummer.” It basically expounded about how kids anticipate summertime to be free of the pressing burdens of school, responsibility, hormonal angst, peer pressure, and other things which seem quaint in the rearview mirror.
Summer can be a time of reflection, growth, and creating cherished memories. We get summer-like weather here year-round, but other enjoyable items associated with summer just seem to fit these months better. Like eggnog in winter and pumpkins in autumn, summer holds a special place for swimming, fishing, barbeques, picnics, vacations, Independence Day, watermelon, corn-on-the-cob, movie blockbusters, ice cream, and so much more, including memorable, summer-specific tunes.
Below are a handful of songs to enhance already-sunny weekdays/starry nights. You know, because there’s nothing going on locally, nationally, or internationally to possibly cause a rain cloud now, is there? OK, I digress. It’s 2024, we’ve entered the twilight zone. Perhaps a brief respite while sipping lemonade can foment a sunnier disposition. Plop yourself down, play these summertime-sourced singles along with your own faves.
Some here you’ll probably know; some of these might be first-timers for you. And yes, they do lean old(er) skool…
“Hot Fun In The Summertime” Sly & The Family Stone (#1 hit for the enigmatic Stone)
“In The Summertime” Mungo Jerry (amazing one-hit wonder sold 30-million copies)
“Long Hot Summer” Keith Urban” (a #1 country hit in 2011)
“One Summer Dream” Electric Light Orchestra (an emotional dreamscape)
“Rain In The Summertime” The Alarm (highly underrated Welsh band)
“Sausalito Summernight” Diesel (a Dutch band’s one-hit wonder)
“Summer” WAR (chill defined, and it’s even got cowbell!)
“The Boys Of Summer” Don Henley (the Eagle crooner in Grammy-winning form)
“Summer” Calvin Harris (Spotify’s song of the summer in 2014)
“Summer Breeze” Seals & Crofts (harmonies galore a la C & K or Kalapana)
“Summer In New York” Sofi Tukker (a modern riff featuring a Suzanne Vega hook)
“Summer of ‘69” Bryan Adams (nostalgia lives in this raspy rocker’s classic)
“Summer Rain” Johnny Rivers (conjures visions, with a shout out to “Sgt. Pepper”)
“Summertime Magic” Childish Gambino (multi-talented Donald Glover shines)
“Summertime, Summertime” The Jamies (an earworm if there ever was one)
I could go on all day and night, as I’m sure you could, too. Time to chill.
Think about it…