Summer in the City

The Lovin' Spoonful's song Summer in the City was written by John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, and Steve Boone. It was made available as a single in July 1966 and later that same month, on the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful. The song was the Lovin' Spoonful's lone No. 1 single and their fifth to enter the US top ten. The recording has a harsher rock tone, which is a change from the band's milder sound. The lyrics bemoan the heat, comparing the oppressive warmth and noise of the day with the comfort provided by the chilly night, which enables the start of the nightlife. This sets them apart from most songs about the summer.

John Sebastian reworked "Summer in the City's" lyrics and melody from a song composed by his adolescent brother, Mark. While in the recording studio, Boone helped write the song's bridge. At Columbia Studios in New York, The Lovin' Spoonful cut "Summer in the City" over the course of two sessions in March 1966. Engineer Roy Halee assisted Erik Jacobsen in producing the sessions, and Artie Schroeck contributed as a session musician on a Wurlitzer electric piano. The track is an early example of pop music with added sound effects, using a pneumatic drill and car horns to simulate city noises.

Many music journalists and musicologists have since praised "Summer in the City" for its alternating major-minor keys and creative use of sound effects. Numerous performers have recorded the song, notably Quincy Jones, whose 1973 rendition received the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement and was later sampled by many hip-hop artists. Keep reading to discover more best summer songs of all time.

Artist: the Lovin' Spoonful

Released: July 4, 1966

Genre: Pop, rock, hard rock, psychedelic rock