A KOOL Day for Music Summer Special pt. 2
As promised, in no particular order, here is the continuation of the ‘songs of summer’ list from last week that instantly brings to mind summer fun. See if your summer songs makes the list.
Mungo Jerry
In The Summertime (1970)
From the British rock band who saw their biggest success in America with this track. The band took their name from a book of poetry from T.S. Elliot called ‘Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer’. In interviews with the band’s founder, Ray Dorset said that the song was written in about 10 minutes. But recording the song took some trial and error to get the sound just right. The song is known for the sound effect of motor vehicle. Dorset said that nothing he found in the sound effect library suited him. So he had the studio sound engineer take a portable tape machine and hold a microphone while someone drove a Triumph sports car back and forth in front of the studio. The song became an international hit.
Chad & Jeremy
Summer Song (1964)
From the British folk duo Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde that utilized a softer folk music style instead of the Merseybeat sound that they were known for.
The song was used on the BBC television show called ‘Juke Box Jury’ where guest panelist would come on and rate songs. Guest judge Ringo Starr gave the song a pass and said that it would never be a hit in the U.S. In reality, the song stopped at number seven on the American pop charts and number two for six weeks on the Adult Contemporary and is considered to be one of the signature songs of the British Invasion era.
Beach Boys
California Girls (1965)
How can you have a Summer-themed song list and NOT have the epitome of beach-music on it?
The Beach Boys commonly wrote songs about summer themes celebrating surfing, girls, surfing girls and cars.
In an interview, Brian Wilson was sitting at the piano thinking about musical themes from cowboy movies and came up with the first notes that start the song. The main chords came after and the next day, he and Mike Love finished it.
The song is one of the most successful Beach Boys tracks ever recorded.
