It is August and there’s about one more month of summer left. Kids are getting ready to go back to school. If you’re like me, you want some relief from this scorching heat!
Music for me brings back memories. The good old days. Particularly when stress and bills were non-existent or at the minimum. In the summer, my family would come down South from up North and stay for days. We’d have cookouts and play in the yard with other neighborhood kids. Now let’s go down memory lane. Take a journey with me and recall what was happening when you heard these summer songs. If you heard any at all.
1. Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
Have you noticed for decades this song plays EVERY SINGLE SUMMER? I absolutely love it! You can’t help but groove to it. Did I grow up in Philly? No. However, I remember as a young girl during summer the fellas would get their Nissan cars cleaned up at the car wash and drive extra slow around the neighborhood. The song is a timeless classic for all ages.
2. Summer Breeze- The Isley Brothers
If you are 40 years old and up you should know this one. Who doesn’t love The Isley Brothers? These guys can sing. Plus you hear real instruments in their music. I believe we are getting away from that these days.
3. Summer Rain- Carl Thomas
Every time I hear this song I can see myself relaxing at the beach. When this song came out, I barely had enough money to go to the beach.
4. Summer Madness- Kool & The Gang
This song doesn’t have any words. It’s an instrumental song or jazz like. This song has been sampled by Mary J. Blige and it’s in the “Summertime” song by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. If you listen at the end of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s and The Fresh Prince’s song, Will pays homage when he says, “Fresh Prince’s new definition of Summer Madness.”
5. Feels Like Summertime – Childish Gambino
This song was released in 2018. It has a fun vibe. I was glad that he had another good song after his hit single,”Redbone” to share with us.
6. Hot Fun in the Summer Time- Sly and The Family Stone
This song has been on several commercials growing up. Now millennial’s, our grandparents have to know this one.
7. Summertime- Fantasia
I remember when Fantasia sung this song on American Idol. She was sitting on the floor in her peach or pink colored halter dress. I was in awe and so was the TV audience! It only made sense to put it on her debut album. The great Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald sung this song as well.
8. In the Summertime – Shaggy
If you are a millennial or older do you remember this jam? The original was made by Jerry Mungo. You probably heard it on some commercials in the past too.
9. Summer – War
Hey 60s and 70s babies! Do you know this one? This is before my time, but I like it. The song reached #4 on the R&B chart in summer of 1976.
10. Summer Girls- LFO
I remember this song back in high school. It’s catchy and quirky. This song played over and over on MTV and VH1. I’d also hear it while shopping at the mall. This was the first time I learned of the clothing store, Abercrombie and Fitch.