The Greatest 60's Summer Songs Ever! Volume 4

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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 or popular during the summer months. So, let's dig into the music vault and come up with another edition of my "Favorite Fives!" Summer is a time of year for getting away; like going on a vacation, traveling somewhere to see the sights, or maybe taking the kids to enjoy an amusement park with rides and cotton candy. And that's what these summer song titles all have in common. Going someplace special in the summertime. First stop... PALISADES PARK! Hope you enjoyed that roller coaster ride of a tune- 1. "Palisades Park"- Recorded by Freddy Cannon in 1962 this song about an amusement park in New Jersey peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 charts. It was Cannon's biggest hit. The song lists a number of rides in the lyrics including Shoot the Chute, Rocket Ship, Roller Coaster, Loop the Loop, Merry Go Round, Tunnel of Love, and the Ferris Wheel. Fun Fact: This song was written by future "TV Gong Show" host Chuck Barris whose goofy talent show program ran from 1976-78. Barris was also the creator of the popular 60's Daytime programs "The Dating Game" and the "Newlywed Game." -What's your favorite amusement park ride? The Ferris Wheel was always a thrill for me to go on although I have a fear of heights, 2. "Travelin' Man"- This song was a big boost to Ricky Nelson's music career reaching the #1 spot on the charts in 1961. Ricky was already a teen idol from the popular TV sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." This tune about a guy who travels all over the world and finds a different girl waiting for him wherever he goes makes for some fun summer vacation! Fun Fact: Nelson was one of the biggest stars during the era 1957-1963, second only to Elvis Presley among American solo artists in terms of popularity and chart success. Ricky even used Elvis's backing group "The Jordanaires" on this song. -Can you name another popular Ricky Nelson song? I like the one he sing's about a certain girl called Mary something or other, 3. "Summer In The City"- Had to have this tune by the Lovin' Spoonful on my playlist, and from the responses I've gotten, this song is a favorite summer song of many. This song was released in the summer of 1966 - July 4, to be exact and quickly reached the #1 spot on the charts. The tune contained many city sound effects like car horns to reflect city traffic in the recording. It became the first hit song to use these type sounds. Fun fact: The sound effect traffic idea was also used on a track called "Expressway (To Your Heart)" by Soul Survivor in 1967. It was inspired by the Lovin' Spoonful song. 4. "We Gotta Get Out of This Place"- This 1965 song by the English Rhythm & Blues group The Animals was immensely popular with United States Armed Forces GIs during the Vietnam War. I can guess why! I bet many feel the same way come summer vacation time, You might remember this band from their signature song "House of The Rising Sun." Fun Fact: Eric Burden the front man lead singer of The Animals joined the Latin group "War" after leaving the band. He helped launch this band's success with the single "Spill The Wine." 5. "I Get Around"- Ahh, the innocence of those youthful teenage years where getting your first car was a big deal. And being able to "get around" without having to walk there! This 1964 classic about a teenage lifestyle featuring friends, girls and cars was The Beach Boys first #1 song in their own country. Fun Fact- The singer Alice Cooper of "Schools Out" fame says that this is his favorite song. The horror rocker is a big fan of '60s pop music, especially The Beach Boys and The Beatles. -Can you name another Beach Boys song featuring a car? I remember one about a car with a "big engine." And the song title is the engine size. Well, it's nice to get away for awhile even if only in a song. And after that songlist I need to borrow a line from The Animals tune and get me outta this place, or at least out of the house and go somewhere... So, what do you think? Would you put any of these songs on your summer playlist? Which of these five do you like best? Hope you enjoyed the trivia! Thanks for reading and responding to my music post and attempting to answer the trivia questions. Until my next summer song posting... Source- Wikipedia & songfacts.com