By moanman (24.44.218.110) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 05:19 pm:

Okay. I'm fairly new to this board (nearly a month) so I hope this subject isn't already a tired, been there, done that affair. As the end of summer draws near, what are those songs that, when you close your eyes, you feel the summer heat, the sweat, the sweet breeze, the fun, frolic & good times of the season? The word "summer" doesn't have to be in the title-- only the vibe...

Few of mine:

Hot Fun in The Summertime, Sly & The Family Stone

All Day Music, War

The Boys of Summer, Don Henley

It's Summer, War

Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding

Groovin', The Rascals

It's Summertime, MFSB

Let The Children Play, Santana

Rock Creek Park, Blackbyrds

The Simple Things, Minnie Riperton

That's The Way of The World, Earth Wind & Fire

Summer Breeze, Main Ingredient version

La Costa, Natalie Cole

Dancing in The Street, Martha & The Vandellas

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 05:34 pm:

Good one moanman and no this topic hasn't been discussed before. I always liked " What A Day For A Daydream " to remind me of a passing summer.

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 06:22 pm:

Ralph & moanman;
I beleive Eli did this one a couple months ago, all summer related titles.
S.S.

By Stephanie (68.50.216.139) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 06:32 pm:

Summer in the City by the Lovin Spoonful that was the ONE time the Spoonful really rocked and didnt sound like Jug Band Music.......but all of their cuts are good
Stephanie

By Stephanie (68.50.216.139) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 06:53 pm:

Summer in the City by the Lovin Spoonful that was the ONE time the Spoonful really rocked and didnt sound like Jug Band Music.......but all of their cuts are good
Stephanie

By moanman (24.44.218.110) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 07:13 pm:

Soulsis

Thanks for the update. I wasn't sure. This thread really isn't necessarily a "summer-related title" subject. It's about songs that either make you think of summer, or put you in that feel & frame of mind. Small diff, I guess.

Example "All Day Music" doesn't use "summer" in the lyric, yet the mention of "let's have a picnic, go to the park, rollin' in the grass till long after dark" gives me a summer feel. Feel me?

peace

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 07:49 pm:

Stephenie....
.....remember, everybody knows that the very last line is
"The doctor said 'give him jug band music
It's sure to make him feel just fine' (bomp bomp)"

Mongo Jerry's "In The Summertime" is a song that brings a warm feeling. Besides, before it got really popular, if you had a heavy spot load, you could cut it in the middle, right after that "noise" if you needed an extra minute or two.
Also, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game", the Steve Goodman/Jethro Burns version.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

Soulsister,
yeah, the deal here is, on the coldest January day, what song is going to trasport you to a summer's day? Of course if you move to L.A. it wll be a different ball game. But even after 26 years in California, there are songs that still bring me back.

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

Ralph;
Since you put that way I'd have to say the following do:

Groovin'-The Young Rascals

Under The Boardwalk-The Drifters

Palisades Park-Freddie Cannon

Stone Soul Picnic-Fifth Dimension

See You In September-Brian Highland

Just to name a few of my summer songs from memory lane.
S.S.

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 10:58 pm:

Forgot "Summertime"-the unique version by the late & great Billy Stewart.

Also "Beautiful Day"- LOVED that one by my friend Jackie "Sonny" Wilson.

How's that Ralph? (ha-ha-).

By moanman (24.44.218.110) on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 06:34 pm:

"Breezin'" George Benson

"Happiness is Just Around the Bend" Main Ingredient

"Give Me The Night" George Benson

"Summer Madness" Kool & The Gang

"Ooh Child" The Stairsteps

"Star of the Story" Heatwave

"City Country City" War

"Simply Beautiful" Al Green

"Spill the Wine" War

"Can't Find My Way Home" Blind Faith

"Low Rider" War

In fact, most every song War ever made... Ah, it's summer!

By Diego (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 05:03 pm:

Moanman, you are right on the War tip. "It's Summer," may be the greatest of all time.

SS, Groovin'" is right up there too, especially that ending "..Ah ha, ah,ha..."

Here's a few more to add to that summerish feel-good whatever-time-of-the-year you-hear-it-mix:

Cliff Nobles' "The Horse"
"California Girl"--Eddie Floyd
"Forever"--the Marvelettes
"Love Makes a Woman"--Barbara Acklin
"Stay in My Corner"--The Dells

Soul Sister, I'll raise you a "Goodbye Cruel World" by James Darren to "Palisades Park"(smile)

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 05:42 pm:

My summertime list:
"Groovin'" & "A Beautiful Morning" - Rascals
"A Few More Kisses To Go" - Isaac Hayes (especially for those hot summer nights)
"Grazing In The Grass" - BOTH versions by the Friends of Distinction & Hugh Masekela
"Saturday In The Park" & "Wishing You Were Here" - Chicago
"Spinning Wheel" - Blood, Sweat & Tears
"For The Love Of You" - Isley Brothers
"That's The Way Of The World", "Gratitude" & "Open Our Eyes" albums by Earth Wind & Fire
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"/"I Can't Help It" - Michael Jackson
"Boogie Nights" & "The Grooveline" - Heatwave
ANY ANTHOLOGY/BEST OF/CD REISSUE BY WAR! (Hell, their entire catalog reminds me of summer!)
"Let's Get It On" - Marvin Gaye (summer of 1973 - gotta love it!)
"Stoned Out Of My Mind" - Chi-lites
"When Doves Cry", "Let's Go Crazy" & "Raspberry Beret" - Prince & the Revolution
"Higher Love" - Stevie Winwood (featuring Chaka Khan)
"1-2-3"(single version) - Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
"When Smokey Sings" - ABC
"Good Times" - Chic
"Ain't No Stopping Us Now" - McFadden & Whitehead
"Survival" & "Give The People What They Want" - O'Jays
"Cool Change" & "Reminiscing" - Little River Band
"Hot Fun In The Summertime" - Sly & the Family Stone
"Quiet Storm" - Smokey Robinson

I think I feel a cool breeze coming....

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Greg C. (166.84.225.78) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 05:43 pm:

For The Love Of You-Isley Brothers
Summertime (LP)-MFSB
Summer Madness-Kool & The Gang
Warm Weather-Pieces Of A Dream
Dragonfly Summer-Michael Franks
Best Of My Love-Emotions
Look Over Your Shoulder-Escorts

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 05:47 pm:

Honorable mentions:
"Summer Breeze" - Isley Brothers
"Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" - Main Ingredient
"Fool On The Hill" - Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66
"Let 'Em In" - Paul McCartney & Wings' version and Billy Paul's remake
"Lady Love" - Lou Rawls
"Used Ta Be My Girl" - O'Jays

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Des (81.152.235.240) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 06:11 pm:

"Warm Summer Night" Chic
"Long Hot Summer" Style Council
"Brazilian Love Affair" George Duke
"Summer Nights"
and "Sunset" Lonnie Liston Smith
"Summertime" Miles/Gil Evans
"Closer to the Source" Dizzy Gillespie
"Blue Pacific"
and "Dragonfly Summer" Michael Franks

Des

By Shauntrell (68.42.156.203) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 07:50 pm:

OK. Now I must throw a sonic monkey wrench into your Soulful Detroit forum....

"Hotter Than July" Stevie Wonder
"It Takes Two" Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
(yeah I said it)
"Fight The Power" Public Enemy

C'mon R&B elitists........give 'em a chance!

By Des (81.152.235.240) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 08:19 pm:

Hey,Shauntrell - don't see too many problems in who you've listed.
Stevie - 'nuff said.
Public Enemy's cut was used to such huge effect in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" -- whose plot centred around the hottest day of a late 80's Summer in a NYC district,thus becoming,in my mind for sure,synonymous with Summer and easily making it a valid entrant here.
Rob Base caught some flak for no creits to Maze for using 'Joy and Pain' on another cut....but I don't think that'd stop this from being a valid entry,either.
Of course,Hotter Than July was just an album title and not a song.....kinda just sneaks in here,methinks.
Des

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:14 pm:

Diego;
NaH...I use to hang out at Palisades Amusement Park as a kid, ride the rides, the tunnel of love, penny arcade, chance games, Rock & Soul Shows, Clay Cole's T.V. Show, eat the cotton candy, custard, lime sherbert, krinkle-kut fries with malt vinegar and swim in the salt water pool! What fun times! I liked that song just for sentimental reasons but didn't care for Freddie Cannon's singing! (ha-ha-).
S.S.

By Diego (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:06 am:

S.S, if only Frankie Lyman could've cut that song you would have had a great summer!(Smile)

By Larry (68.164.129.93) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:16 am:

Most memorable summer jams... hmm....
I know. Boysenberry. Toasted rye, butter and Boysenberry Jam w/coffee (or tea).

By Rich (162.33.235.101) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 09:31 am:

Yeah, good one Moanman : All Day Music - definitely has the right feel. Summer Madness - the live version in particular.

Des & Shauntrell - Fight The Power - absolutely, I know you got soul !!

No Madrill yet, huh - a serious summertime groove.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:39 am:

Here's some more summer jams:
"Love Song" & "Fencewalk" - Mandrill
"Don't Ask My Neighbors", "Boogie Wonderland" (w/EWF) & "Best Of My Love" - Emotions
"I Know You Got Soul" - Bobby Byrd's original and Eric B & Rakim's hip-hop classic
"Can't Truss It" - Public Enemy
"Uptown Anthem" & "Hip Hop Hooray" - Naughty By Nature
"Just My Imagination" - Temptations
"The Love You Save" - Jackson 5
"Summer Madness" (Live version from the Love & Understanding album), "Jungle Boogie" & "Hollywood Swinging" - Kool & the Gang
"Rock The Boat" - Hues Corporation
"Candida" & "Knock Three Times" - Tony Orlando & Dawn
"It's A Miracle" & "Copacabana" - Barry Manilow

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Diego (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:40 pm:

Kev, and what about a Stevie song that got lost in the "Jungle Fever" Soundtrack. "Fun Day."

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

Diego:
Wow...I forgot about that tune. That entire soundtrack was one of Stevie's better efforts in recent years.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:52 pm:

All of the ones mentioned here are great.

I'd vote for an entire album, however: "Light of Worlds" by Kool and the Gang.

That album IS summer......it just SOUNDS like summer from the first note to the last. Somehow, that CD takes me back to those late twilight days of summer as a kid.....staying out late playing ball or goofin' off as the stars popped into view above. If sultry, humid South Carolina summers had a soundtrack, "Light of Worlds" would be it.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

Galactus:
I love the "Summer Madness" suite from "Light Of Worlds".
For you it was South Carolina - for me it was breezy summer days & nights in Rochester, NY. Riding my bike until dark, chillin' on the enclosed upstairs porch watching the moon & stars at night or seeing the sun rise early in the morning while grooving to Kool & the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire, the Isleys & War. THAT is summer for me.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Shauntrell (68.42.156.203) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 05:57 pm:

Yo Des, I was thinking about Master Blaster
(Jammin'), but I guess the album title was
more fitting than the actual title of the
song. Good lookin'.

By The Count (69.14.112.184) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 06:04 pm:

DANCIN IN THE STREETS
HEAT WAVE
CHUG-A-LUG,CHUG-A-LUG(roger miller)
"COUNT"

By Diego (205.188.198.26) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 08:22 pm:

Yo, Shauntrell, so it's like that, you gonna call an Ol' G out on the summer hip hop tip, huh? I feel you on P.E. I'm even gonna throw Ludacris in here--bam! "Roll Out," 'cause he kind of had that "War" thing going, rollin' down 20 with the top back. What about "Rollin'" by the Dungeon family?(Sounds just like a fifties "Do Wop" song. I still like Will Smith's "Summertime"(he had a little help with that 'ol school hook though).

"Basketball", by Kurtis Blow will play any day, and that great party song by Chubb Rock--you know the one with the Qs in the video

Heavy D's "We Got Our own Thing."
R. Kelley had a great summer rap om his first CD, I think, called "Hangin' Out" Huh? What? What? Holla.