The Greatest 60's Summer Songs Ever! Volume 2

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Everyone has their favorite musical time periods and mine is the 60's. So many different types of songs were recorded during that decade; you had protest, love, Folk, British Invasion, Motown, surfing and Psychedelic. What a diverse selection of tunes to choose from! This select list only includes 60's songs that were released during the summer months. So, let's dig into the music vault and come up with another edition of my "Favorite Fives!" Nothing says summer to those who love water than the sounds of the beach or surf. So, here's some "Hang Five" tunes I enjoy complete with comments... 1. "Surfer Girl"- Unlike the other surfer titled songs by the Beach Boys this one is a love song where the singer imagines a romantic life together with his girl by the ocean. The tune's lyrics contains this surfer inspired line; "In my Woodie (a station wagon with wood exterior paneling) I would take you everywhere I go." The Woodie line was also used in the Beach Boys other surf song "Surfin Safari." Fun fact: This was the first song Brian Wilson wrote, but it did not appear on a recording until the band's third album. 2. "Wipe Out"- This is a popular instrumental track with a continuous surf rhythm. The only vocal is the song title shouted at the track's beginning. What makes this song so special is the terrific drums solos performed throughout the tune. Fun fact: The group who recorded this recognizable hit were called The Surfaris and were a bunch of teenagers. 3. "Where The Boys Are"- This was the title song from the movie of the same name starring George Hamilton. Connie Francis who recorded this tune also appeared in this film where college students go to Florida on spring break. How many of you saw this Oldies film? Fun fact: Neil Sedaka who recorded the popular 60's song "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" co-wrote this tune. Sad fact: Connie Francis who sang this 1960 classic was raped at a Howard Johnson's motel in 1977, after appearing at a music festival in New York state. 4. "Under The Boardwalk"- A song about a young couple spending some romantic time under a seaside boardwalk out of sight from the crowds makes for a terrific summer tune. It's Summer love at it's best, and like a previous "Drifters" song, "Up On The Roof," the couple decides to escape the heat of the sun. Fun fact: There were over 60 members who would eventually perform as part of the group "The Drifters." Usually featuring one or two members that were with the group at some point in their musical career. 5. "Surf City"- Jan & Dean recorded this #1 tune in 1963. This duo spread the message of California culture in the 60's with tunes about girls, cars and surfing. Their music became a big influence on surfing, where a place like California's Malibu beach went from no surfers to being so crowded you could not get in the water. Fun Fact: This #1 song was written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, his first chart topper, which came a year before he and his band The Beach Boys would top the charts with "I Get Around." Brian's father and the group's manager was furious, as he thought it should be a Beach Boys song. Yep, those were some great beach songs! Riding those waves and being at the shore is one "happening place" to be in summertime. If only I could be a passenger on a "Yellow Submarine" so I could enjoy that "Octopus' Garden or other cool sea life! So, what do you think? Would you put any of these songs on your summer playlist? What's your favorite "Beach or Surf song?" Got one? *Enjoy this classic 60's video of the Beach Boys doing another summer surf tribute "Surfin USA." Thanks for reading and responding to my music post. Until my next summer song listing... Source- Wikipedia & songfacts.com