Jersey’s favorite hits with summer in the title

As we enjoy the blue skies, a light breeze, and the summer sun, on a "SUMMER FUN WEEKEND," I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of "Jersey's Favorite Hits" with the term "Summer" in the title!

"Summer In The City"--Lovin' Spoonful (#1/1966)

This Greenwich Village NY-based band termed their sound "good time music."  "Summer In The City" was their only song to reach #1...appropriately in the summer (August) of 1966.

"Hot town...summer in the city...back of my neck getting dirty & gritty." And to that, after doing the radio show, add that I have "headphone hair," as well!

"Summertime"--Billy Stewart (#10/1966)

Nicknamed "Fat Boy," Billy Stewart was born in Washington D.C. in 1937. This top-10 hit was a "standard," written by George Gershwin, and taken from the show "Porgie & Bess." Sadly, Stewart was killed in a car crash in 1970.

In this "video," Billy is obviously lip-syncing to the record. It appears to have come from the TV show "Where The Action Is."

"In The Summertime"--Mungo Jerry (#3/1970)

"In the summer time, when the weather is high...you can chase right up and touch the sky..."

Mungo Jerry isn't a guy...its a multi-member (ever-changing lineup) band from England. Ray Dorset is the band's leader...and founder.

The name was inspired by the T.S. Eliot poem "Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer." "Mungomania" has been called "the most startling and unpredicted pop phenomenon" to hit England since the Beatles. "In The Summertime" is their only international chart hit.

"Summer Breeze"--Seals & Crofts (#6/1972)

Jim Seals and Dash Crofts are from Texas. They played with "The Champs," AFTER "Tequila" was a hit. After that band broke up, they played with other bands, until they banded together in 1969. "Summer Breeze" was their first hit...and it took four albums to have that hit!

"Summer breeze...makes me feel fine...blowing through the jasmine in my mind."

Jasmine is a flower that blooms in summer. Its also good for tea. Seals and Crofts use it to symbolize contentment and harmony in their first radio hit...about enjoying the simple pleasures of life, with the ones you love.

"Summer Nights"--John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (#5/1978)

Summer and the movie "Grease" are synonymous.  An enduring 1970's multi-media phenomenon that celebrated stylized American life of the 1950's.

And, this summer favorite has a Jersey connection...as John Travolta grew up in Englewood. "Up your nose with a garden hose!"

"Cruel Summer"--Bananarama (#9/1984)

Bananarama is Sarah Dallin, Keren Woodward and Siobhan Fahey, all from London.

The group name is a combination of the children's TV show "The Banana Splits" and the Roxy Music song "Pyjamarama."

Fahey married Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) in 1987.

"Cruel Summer" was the band's first chart hit...debuting in August 1984...

"Summer Of '69"--Bryan Adams (#5/1985)

Just a little "Canadian Content" in this overview of "Jersey's Favorite Hits" with "Summer" in the title...

I met Bryan Adams backstage at a station concert in Philadelphia in the late 1990's. Great guy...just a "regular" guy who enjoyed hanging out with the station staff, talking about music, and what we did for fun in Philly...

By the way, Bryan Adams was born November 5, 1959...so he was 9 in the "Summer of '69." Who's life is he singing about? The song's writer's life? Fiction? A combination of both?

I forgot to ask, when I had the chance to set the record straight!

"Summertime"--D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (#4/1991)

This is the Philadelphia "rap duo" of Jeff Townes, and Will Smith.

Maybe, you forgot that Will Smith made his name in the music world before he starred in "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" on TV...and then became a major movie star!

Will is another one of the artists that I met, when I was working in Philly radio.

He is a super nice guy...and when you are talking with him, he looks you right in the eye...and there is nothing more important at that moment, than your conversation. Thanks for being a total class act...and for the memories, Will!

Aah....summer!

These are just a few "Summer In The Title" songs from the "rock" world that popped into my head......there are many more!

Please feel free to share your "summer" faves below!!

And, no......I'm not forgetting "The Chairman Of The Board!"

Jersey native, and favorite son, Frank Sinatra...

"Summer Wind" isn't from the "rock 'n' roll" genre...nor would he have wanted it to be, but...I'm pleased to give Frank an "Honorable Mention."

There you go...crank UP "Jersey's Favorite Hits"...slather on that sunscreen...and "roll your bod!"