As summer nears its unfortunate end, we’re grabbing hold of the last bits of it we can get, including the music. So, before the cold sets in, let’s look back at some of the hottest summer hits throughout the decades!
Summer of 29’: “Singin in the Rain’ “ – Cliff Edwards
Singin in the Rain, written by Arthur Freed, is one of the most revered songs in the last 100 years. Yet ironically, no one can say for sure exactly when it was written! This song inspired the classic 1952 film “Singin’ in the Rain” and is most notably performed by Gene Kelly. It has since been covered by many artists including Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Sammy Davis Jr.
Summer of 39’: “Wishing Will Make it So” – Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller had more number-one records and top hits in just four years than Elvis and the Beatles had in their whole careers! Sadly, he disappeared in 1944 when his plane was lost flying over the English Channel. Along with the rest of his incredible legacy, he leaves us “Wishing Will Make it So”, a true classic!
Summer of 49’: “Some Enchanted Evening” – Perry Como
“Some Enchanted Evening” is a song from the musical South Pacific, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Although over the years, this song has been performed various ways by many different artists, it was Perry Como’s 1949 version that brought it to #1 on the charts. To this day, it is the most popular song from any Rodgers and Hammerstein show!
Summer of 59’: “Lonely Boy” – Paul Anka
Paul Anka had a real knack for portraying teenage life through music. At the time he was writing “Lonely Boy”, his mother was very ill, which gave him a very emotional edge. Thus, this was his first song to top the Billboard charts!
Summer of 69’: “In The Year 2525″ – Zager and Evans
Sorry to disappoint, but Bryan Adam’s “Summer of ’69” was not the song of this summer, it was in fact one-hit-wonder “In The Year 2025.” It reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles chart in 1969. Since 2018, Zager and Evans were the only artists to have a #1 hit in both the U.S and U.K and then never have another song hit any charts again!
Summer of 79’: “Bad Girls” – Donna Summer
Not only did “Bad Girls” make #1 on the hot 100, but it became a worldwide success, selling over 2 million copies. Summer was inspired to write the song after her assistant was offended by a police officer who mistook her for a prostitute. Leave it to Donna Summer to write the song of the summer!
Summer of 89’: “Toy Soldiers” – Martika
The background vocals for “Toy Soldiers” were sung by a number of Martika’s former castmates from the 1980s television series Kids Incorporated, two of them being Fergie and Jennifer Love Hewitt!
Summer of 99’: “Genie in a Bottle” – Christina Aguilera
Not only did this song top the summer charts, but it was also the second-highest selling record in the US for 1999. And to top it off, Aguilera was just 18 at the time!
Summer of 09’: “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas
Fergie definitely knows how to make her way on the charts! “Boom Boom Pow” made history by being the first pop song played on the New York City radio show Now 92.3 after it switched from being a rock station to sharing mainstream music.
Summer of 19’: “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas x Billy Ray Cyrus
Where to begin? “Old Town Road” has swept the nation this summer, entertaining rap, hip-hop and country fans alike. However, not everyone has been so easily swayed by the catchy tune. The song was taken down from the country charts for basically not being country enough! Had it remained, “Old Town Road” would have also been #1 on Hot Country Songs.
So, as you can see, even as the years go by the sound of summer may change, but never the spirit. Chasing love, having fun, being young and foolish. The fears and excitement of not knowing what’s to come. Enjoying the now. That will always be the soundtrack to summer.
See you next year!
Featured Image via Style Caster
