Folks, it's amazing to realize that the What The Riff podcast has been around for a year! To celebrate, we're focusing this Memorial Day week on rock-and-roll songs of summer. Our memories of summers past have always been tied to the music of the time, and we suspect that is the same for you as well. Whether cruising with the top down, hanging out with friends, or playing your boom box on the beach or at the pool, the right song will “take you back” and the memories come flooding through. We hope you enj...
Folks, it's amazing to realize that the What The Riff podcast has been around for a year! To celebrate, we're focusing this Memorial Day week on rock-and-roll songs of summer. Our memories of summers past have always been tied to the music of the time, and we suspect that is the same for you as well. Whether cruising with the top down, hanging out with friends, or playing your boom box on the beach or at the pool, the right song will “take you back” and the memories come flooding through. We hope you enjoy this special rabbit hole edition as we look at summer songs that rock!
“Summertime, Summertime” by the Jamies
We go back a little earlier than typical with this song from 1958. It has a "sacred harp" sound, and its introductory riff has been covered multiple times.
“Dancing in the Street”
by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
by David Bowie & Mick Jagger
by Van Halen
Here is a fine example of a song that has been covered multiple times in a number of styles. The consensus of the What The Riff?!? guys is that the Van Halen version is the best. What do you think?
Surfin' U.S.A. by the Beach Boys
Perhaps the group most identified with summer in the 60's. You can't do a summer rock episode without having The Beach Boys make an appearance.
“Wipe Out” by The Surfaris
The most famous instrumental surfing song. What a distinctive percussion and guitar riff!
“In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry
We make our way into 1970 with this easy-going groovey track.
“Summer in the City” by The Lovin' Spoonful
What an awesome line: "Hotter than a matchhead." This song drifts back to a psychedelic 1966, and reminds us of the pre-air conditioning days of summer in the South.
“School's Out” by Alice Cooper
Everyone remembers this anthem playing at the end of school, marking the start of summer.
“Rockaway Beach” by The Ramones
Here is a punk genre summer song from the 70's. This one hearkens to the surfing songs of the 60's.
“Summertime Blues”
by Eddie Cochran
by The Who
by Rush
Here's another example of an original with multiple covers, from 1958 to 1976 to 2004. Were you even aware RUSH did this cover?
“Margaritaville ” by Jimmy Buffett
This 1977 classic is a mandatory summer song, and brings up the drinks of summer.
“Summer Nights” by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
While this tune is not exactly a rock song, it was a huge summer classic from the 70's, and we did not feel right leaving it out! ... but we don’t listen to the whole thing...
“Suddenly Last Summer” by The Motels
Drifting into the 80's, The Motels lead off a set of summer songs with female leads. There's a wistfulness with this track we’re all digging.
“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama
Bananarama had a string of hits in the 80's, including this summer song in a minor key.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
And we switch to a 1985 hit that is more upbeat and positive. This was the biggest hit for Katrina and the Waves, almost (but not quite) their "one hit wonder.“
“Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham
This 1983 hit was made famous by “National Lampoon's Vacation” movies, and appeared in subsequent movies in the series. To us, it sounds a little bit like Kenny Loggins, maybe.
“Mas Tequila” by Sammy Hagar
We step outside our normal chronology with this track from 1999. But it just FEELS like summer.
“Blister in the Sun” by the Violent Femmes
A 1983 track, this one is a more alternative rock summer song with a distinctive guitar riff.
“Miserlou” by Dick Dale
We finish off this rabbit hole episode with an instrumental from the King of the Surf Guitar, and from the movie "Pulp Fiction."
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
