This ‘young bloke’ has had a blast putting together this completely biased, non-scientific, certainly NOT researched list of songs/instrumentals, that to my mind reflect Summer ‘Down Under’. I’ve featured quite a few Aussie acts + US & UK talent from the late 50’s through the 80’s. I’m sure there are a stack of great, summer inspired songs from the 80’s forward, however they may surface at a later date.
As a radio person for a few decades or four, I’ve played all of these tracks many times over the years BUT they survive (at least in my audio head) as music cuts that create the mood, images and sound of an Aussie summer. In my role as a voice over actor and writer, music is both a relaxant (yes, it is addictive) and an everyday tool in both the broadcast and VO business.
My selection is not presented in any particular numerical/favourite order. It’s not a countdown as such, but rather 30 odd tracks that I happen to enjoy and believe me the list IS eclectic. I hope you enjoy them !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksrAaV2ZC88 – ‘It’s Almost Summer’ – Billy Thorpe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC1K1AYvtAo – ‘Summer Breeze’ – Seals & Crofts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C070_4ya98Y – ‘The Heat Is On’ – Glenn Frey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5bUmx-hk-c – ‘Summer In The City’ – The Lovin’ Spoonful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coBwk8v9KPQ – ‘The Summer Wind’ – Frank Sinatra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gc4QTqslN4 – ‘Surfer Bird’ – The Trashmen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcNeOw4ZAlo – ‘One Summer’ – Daryl Braithwaite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8iMzdzUds – ”Ride The Wild Surf’ – Jan & Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDDL1RxXRc – ‘Summer (The First Time)’ – Bobby Goldsboro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZZD8ckwLJA – ‘Summertime Blues’ – Eddie Cochrane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvD0_aeAf2E – ‘A Summer Song’ – Chad & Jeremy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3agVtY4Z6M – ‘Bombora’ – The Atlantics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F24LC0QsYTQ – ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’ – Beach Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f06QZCVUHg – ‘Summer Of 69’ – Bryan Adams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiISrw2GTXE – ‘Summer Wine’ – Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFIVQms3SAk – ‘Summer Of ’81’ – Mondo Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE2fnYpwrng – ‘Heat Wave’ – Martha & the Vandellas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG0oBPtyNb0 – ‘In The Summertime’ – Mungo Jerry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuxiLtP7xTw – ‘Beach Baby’ – First Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LSnovsmS1g – ‘I Live For The Sun’ – The Sunrays
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmzCj01VfFM – ‘Lake Side’ – Australian Crawl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wssIZOBV9i4 – ‘Summer Rain’ – Belinda Carlisle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5D07c0dJuQ – ‘Wipeout’ – Surfaris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fUyRp0NEzo – ‘Do It Again’ – Beach Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQTVpem9-hI – ‘On The Beach’ – Chris Rea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS_sLUVuKTs – ‘Mississippi’ – John Phillips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blghTWXqwys – ‘He’s My Blonde Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy’ – Little Pattie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAP1AgSwN18 – ‘Summertime’ (long version) – Billy Stewart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh-5SyBn4fY – ‘Summer Samba’ – Astrid Gilberto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl1ydqS4bFQ – ‘Summer Love’ – Sherbet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqKi_9p1zks – ‘Little Honda’ – Hondels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=379SyVbbj34 – ‘Summer Rain’ (2013 LIVE version) – Johnny Rivers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSsiS-v6_6M – (Theme From) ‘A Summer Place’ – Percy Faith & Orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGALtkbk37Y – ‘Summer Breeze’ – Stylus (LIVE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viqr6KHwJjc – ‘Albatross’ – Fleetwood Mac