Looking for a great summer playlist? Well, what better time than today—the first official day of the season—to take a closer look at the songs that literally include the word “Summer.” There seems to be no shortage of them, because who doesn’t love this time of year? Well, besides those working long hours on blacktop or a roof. The songs below fall on a rating scale starting with warm and ending with fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot. So without further adieu.
Warm.
Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran. I’m almost certain this song and Wipeout were played on repeat at the one-time magical destination known as Geauga Lake. It was the poor man’s Cedar Point but we loved it anyway! The water slides were epic and if you payed close attention you could catch the water show at Sea World on the other side of the lake.
Hot Fun in the Summertime by The Loving Spoonful. “Them summer days. Those summer days.” This may also have been on the Geauga Lake mix tape. A solid pick that is certainly top ten worthy.
All Summer Long. Kid Rock. The incorporation of Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama adds a nice touch to this awesome summer anthem that those of us who grew up on the Great Lakes certainly appreciate. Nothing better than fresh caught walleye.
Sweltering
Summer of ‘69. Bryan Adams. I can’t imagine playing a guitar “until my fingers bled” no matter what the season. The opening guitar riff absolutely slaps as the kids say these days.
The Boys of Summer. Don Henley. While I have never seen a “Dead Head sticker on a Cadillac,” I am more than familiar with that little voice inside of my head. No doubt we should all heed his warning and not look back because “those days are gone forever” and letting go is something we all have to do. Well put Don. Creepy, but well put.
Summer in the City. The Loving Spoonful…again. Until today I never knew the last line of the first stanza ended with “hotter than a match head.” Once again The Loving Spoonful paints a great picture of summer. The blaring car horns also gives each listener a realistic metropolitan vibe. For those of us who grew up close to a big city, it’s a different kind of hot during the summer months.
In the Summertime. Mungo Jerry. “Dee-dee-dee, dee dee, Da-da-da, da-da.” I was disappointed to learn Mungo Jerry was the band’s name, not the name of this beautiful man above. I kind of wish I never wrote this now. Oh well. “Dee-da-da, dee-da-da, da-da-da!”
Fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot
Cruel Summer. Bananarama. It’s a tune that will always remind me of my friend and fellow Red Flash hooper, John Silva, who absolutely loved this song. He would usually imitate using the den-den daiko drum that Mr. Miyagi used to teach Daniel-Son the drum technique—something he used masterfully to defeat Chozen Toguchi. As for the name, the only cruel summer I can think of was back in 2020. Stupid Covid.
Summertime. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. To be honest, I have never chilled in a car that I spent all day waxing, but this song almost makes me wish I had. It is the iconic view of summertime in Philly or any big city for that matter. No doubt “the smell from a grill can spark up nostalgia” and is as welcomed of a scent as fresh cut grass.
Summer Breeze. Seals and Crofts. These two guys are underrated when it comes to the great harmonizing duos of all-time. This song is a gem. You feel as though you are outside, beverage in hand, sun on your face, and the temperature is a perfect 71 degrees with the occasional gentle breeze. The acoustic guitar at the outset of the song creates a scene of pure serenity.
The Summer Wind. Frank Sinatra. The only thing better than a summer breeze is a summer wind. Old Blue Eyes has many great songs, this one is my absolute favorite. It’s a song of love lost. The summer wind has the affect of “a piper man” luring Frank’s summer companion away after many walks on “that golden sand,” leaving Sinatra all alone. Crazy thing is, the song seems to have the opposite affect on the listener. Maybe it’s the electric organ coupled with all those horns. Whatever the case, its stands alone as my favorite. Have a listen.
Of course, there are many more songs that allude to this much loved season, too many to mention. Maybe that’s a post for another day. Hopefully these songs will make their way to your playlists, and if you don’t get around to it, your next best bet is to check out the wonderfulness that is Yacht Rock. Soak up the sunshine folks, because before you know it the summer will be gone—just like Geauga Lake.
-Tommy O’Sionnach
Nothing better than that Mrs. Lowe!
Outside looking in!!!!! But a solid one!