At exactly 9:58 Chicago time (10:58 EDT), the summer solstice occurs. I’m putting this post up at the moment summer starts.
Remember this song?
The lyrics are here, some of the worst verses in rock history. It’s still a bouncy summer song (remember, it’s the tune that counts).
Sittin’ in my car outside your house(Sittin’ in my car outside your house)‘Member when you spilled Coke all over your blouse
Here’s another egregious bit:
Miniature golf and Hondas in the hills(Miniature golf and Hondas in the hills)When we rode the horse, we got some thrills
Yep, they got some thrills.
And if your penchant is for jazz, here’s Miles Davis’s “Summertime”:
How about this classic?
Perfect pick with Miles playing in front of Gil Evan’s orchestral arrangement of Gershwin –
There’s something close to immortality in that…
Sublime
There’s also Mr. Gershwin’s song “Summertime.” Here, Greg Kinnear does the honors in the Farrelly brother’s comedy Stuck on You, with a bonus dance routine from La Streep herself. (I’ve heard it claimed that Kinnear did his own singing, but it sure seems to me he’s doing a very good lip synch of Billy Stewart’s 1966 R&B cover.)
Another version by Miles–as sideman.
https://youtu.be/bgRwszUOOT0
…and then the ol’ Summertime Blues.
https://youtu.be/GAM1k9vEVqg
Blame for the lyrics of “All Summer Long” goes to Mike Love, the least lovable Beach Boy.
Here is another season song of note—“It’s Summer” by The Temptations:
Only one of the Beachboys could be called a Beach guy or surfer. The rest of them were pretty much on shore. Dennis Wilson, the drummer was the guy. They lived and grew up in Hawthorne, California, very close to the ocean, not far from Manhattan beach. My wife, before we were married, lived in Hawthorne from 69-76.
How could you not include Billie Holiday’s version of Summertime…..one of the great songs of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysow1wXWyvE
and The Who’s version of Summertime Blues