The Greatest 60's Summer Songs Ever! Final Edition

Tweet

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 selection of my "Favorite Fives!" Summer love songs were a big part of 60's music and these 5 songs are no exception. So, as we end the summer season and have our final Labor Day fling, I find these words from this love song by the group The Happenings very fitting... "See You In September." Hope you enjoyed this tune about a couple's goodbye for the summer and the guy's hoping to see his girl again come September. Here's my final '5" 1. "See You In September"- Previously recorded by the Tempos in 1959 this cover by The Happenings did much better in 1966 reaching #3 on the record charts. As the lyrics state, "Will I see you in September, Or lose you to a summer love," is a story many young couples can relate too when a vacation keeps them apart. The tune was a huge hit with the teenage crowd for just that reason! Fun Fact: The Happenings song was produced by Bob Crew who also produced the Four Seasons. If you listen to the song you can hear a similarity to the Four Seasons style. 2. "Sherry"- Yes, that's right, I did mention the Four Seasons, one of my "All-Time favorite 60's groups. So, let's add this terrific tune to my summer playlist. Many of the band's songs deal with love and teen heartache, and the storyline in this track has a boy begging the girl to go out with him. Frankie Valli's soaring falsetto vocals were a big part of the group's sound, emphasized on this song and others the band recorded. Amazingly, after this song finished it's reign at the top of the charts in 1962 for five weeks, the group came out with another song called "Big Girls Don't Cry," which took over the #1 spot for another five weeks! Seems these 4 guys and the Beach Boys were the only two American bands which could compete with the British Invasion sound of the 60's. Fun Fact: This song was originally called "Terry." Glad they changed the name, -Trivia Question: Can you name other popular Four Seasons song which uses a "girl's name as the title?" 3. Sealed With A Kiss- Some of the best love songs are of the teenage variety and this one by Brian Hyland reached the #3 spot on the Billboard charts in 1962. And like The Happening's song this tune is another about saying goodbye for the summer, and promising (with a kiss) to meet up again come September. Hyland's and other artists puppy-love pop virtually defined the radio sound prior to Beatlemania and the British Rock n' Roll bands that followed. Fun Fact: Although Hyland's popularity waned when musical tastes changed in the mid-60's he did score two final hits in 1971 with a covers of Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops" and The Impressions "Gypsy Woman." Have you ever heard of these "Oldies but goodie" tunes? 4. Sugar Sugar- Co-written by Andy Kim for the fictional American band called The Archies in 1968 the song was one of the biggest "bubblegum" pop hits of the 60's. The tune was #1 for four weeks and was "Record of the Year" for 1969. The Archies were actually a cartoon TV show band based on the popular comic. Session musicians including Kim were used to record the song. The tune was originally offered to The Monkees but the band rejected it. Fun Fact: You might recognize the artist Andy Kim from the song "Rock Me Gently" which topped the U.S. singles chart in 1974. Trivia Question: How many of you recall the Archie comic series? How many characters from that comic can you name? 5. Sweet Caroline- released just before the official end of summer in September 1969 this song is practically an anthem for every karaoke singer who ever bravely stepped up to the mic. There isn't a summer that I haven't heard this tune played by a local band at some bar I've gone to. And this tune is a terrific sing-a-long with crowds especially the chorus "so good, so good, so good" after the line "good times never seemed so good. A fun time song and easy to sing especially after a cocktail or three. wow It's given me some great summer cheer how about you? Fun fact: Did you know that John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline gave Neil the idea for the song title's name. The song was actually about Diamond's 2nd wife Marcia, but does Sweet Marcia work as well? I think not! Honorable Mention- The Tymes "So Much In Love" This song could of easily made the 60's list as a classic summer love song except it was released in January 1963. The #1 tune takes place in a very romantic setting, as the couple is strolling by the sea below the twinkling stars. Now that's romantic! (heart icon) Enough to melt that winter snow, Source- Wikipedia & songfacts.com