Don't think this one requires much explanation, but I'll be happy to add some if anyone disagrees. I was inspired to create the thread when this one came up in my 1960s playlist:
Probably my definitive Summer Song: Beach Baby by John Carter and his wife Gillian Shakespeare--first recorded by the British group "The First Class." [yt]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WpsmHfDqsl8[/yt]
Here's one that makes me feel the heat coming off the pavement: [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m648v4s5sFc[/yt]
Seriously, I think that one could have been #1 if only they had introduced that French horn figure about 10 to 20 seconds earlier. It's a perfect little Brian Wilsonesque touch, but you don't get enough time to enjoy it before it fades out.
Ah, and then a bit later, this one came up--Very evocative of vacations with the ex on the Cape.... Also the #1 song the week that my sister was born! 1966 was a very Summery year in music....
More of a song from summer (June, 1972) than a song about summer: the late Bobby Russell's The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia--first recorded by Vicki Lawence. (Lawrence was Russell's wife at the time.) (Please forgive the errors in the attached lyrics.) [yt]https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLF316B40A8FDA2C99&v=E8OSGxZavtQ[/yt]
"Heatwave" by Martha & The Vandellas [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE2fnYpwrng[/yt] My 80's teenage flashback: "Suddenly Last Summer," by The Motels [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Ox-lGm-wA[/yt]
Ever since it's release, just about every summer seems to begin with me hearing this one on the radio: Sheryl Crow l Soak Up The Sun [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIYiGA_rIls[/yt] A personal favorite: The Sundays l Summertime [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z778slDEsds[/yt] Usually played at every party: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince l Summertime [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr0tTbTbmVA[/yt] Although, really a song about summer being over, this song played on the radio last May, and for me was a reminder Summer began. Don Henley l The Boys of Summer [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh4nVj8g4hg[/yt] Ye olde but goodie: Mungo Jerry l In The Summertime [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUQcnfwUUM[/yt]
My favorite of all, live version, very fun to watch: [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B5EtjNNf60[/yt] I don't know that there's every been a band with as much personality per member as Sly and the Family Stone, and it's great how they get individual parts in so many their songs. The young lady's reaction when Larry sings his verse is priceless. The song I remember most from a summer of my own teen years: [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ePIZugahFc[/yt]
Bryan Adams -- Summer of 69' [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f06QZCVUHg[/yt] The Eagles -- Hotel California [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyy4yaVwsv0[/yt] Seals and Crofts -- Summer Breeze [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC1K1AYvtAo[/yt]
Reminds me of my first love. Who I met in the summer of '78 Done by a few artists but this was my introduction to the song I broke up with my first love in summer '82 shortly after seeing the Go Go's on their Vacation tour
This one makes me think of summer camp and horseback rides. She later said that the song was the only good thing she got out of that marriage.
Always liked the sound of that one. But is it just me, or does the guy playing the love interest in the video (presumably a band member) bear a disturbing resemblance to Martin Landau...? Seeing this video again brings to mind something that my ex said back when it was new: "She seems like someone who's in love with her own feet." iTunes thanks you for reminding me of this one.
Now that you've said that, I can't watch that video without looking at her feet. They're in like every third shot. It feels like an elaborate practical joke on her part. No problem.
Speaking of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson released an album full of Disney tunes with his own touches a few years ago, and his version of The Little Mermaid's Kiss The Girl has become one of my favourite new summer songs of the last several years. Great album too. [yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCIh6EIUfPU[/yt]