In the Summertime
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| “In the Summertime” | |||||
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| Single by Mungo Jerry from the album Electronically Tested |
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| B-side | Mighty Man | ||||
| Released | 1970 | ||||
| Genre | Pop-Folk | ||||
| Length | 3:40 | ||||
| Label | Dawn Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | Ray Dorset | ||||
| Producer | Barry Murray | ||||
| Mungo Jerry singles chronology | |||||
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- "In the Summertime" is the title of three popular recordings. For the song by Thirsty Merc see In the Summertime (song).
"In the Summertime" is a song recorded in 1970 by the British pop-blues band Mungo Jerry. Written by the group's leader Ray Dorset, this song, which celebrates the carefree days of summer, reached the No. 1 position on charts around the world (including seven weeks in the UK) and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US. It is considered one of the highest selling recordings of all time with an estimated 23 million copies sold[citation needed].
It was unusual because the initial UK release, on Dawn Records (a new label launched by Pye), was a maxi-single, playing at 33 rpm (whereas singles generally played at 45 rpm), including an additional song, Mighty Man on the A-side, and a much longer track, Dust Pneumonia Blues, on the B-side. As it was housed in a picture sleeve (something which only became commonplace about eight years later), and only sold at a few pence more than the normal 45 rpm two-track single, it was considered excellent value for money. Small quantities of 45 rpm discs, on the light blue Pye record label, were pressed for use in jukeboxes, and these are now rare collectors' items.
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[edit] Covers
A near identical version of the song was released in Australia in 1970 by The Mixtures which had a clever beach related promo music video. They followed it up with "The Pushbike song" - which sounded nearly identical to "In the Summertime". Another cover version was recorded by the Idle Race and enjoyed some success in South America, though unreleased in the UK until its appearance on a retrospective CD in 1996.
The film The Substitute used a new version of the tune in its soundtrack.
In 1995, the reggae artist Shaggy covered the song, and scored a hit with it. It reached #5 on the UK singles chart. Shaggy changed one line of the song to reflect modern-day values. In Mungo Jerry's version, the lyrics encouraged people to "have a drink, have a drive..." while Shaggy's more politically correct version says "I'm going to ride and drive ..." Ironically, the relevant part of the original recording was used in 1992 on British TV public service advertisements warning viewers not to drink and drive.[1] However, Shaggy retained the lines "If her Daddy's rich take her out for a meal, If her Daddy's poor just do what you feel," which was disturbing to many listeners.[citation needed]
In 2006, famed progressive keyboardist Derek Sherinian covered the song on his album Blood of the Snake, featuring singer Billy Idol, guitarist Slash, and bassist Tony Franklin. The music video of the cover can be seen on his official website [2].
In 2007, American rock/Rapcore group Phunk Junkeez covered the song in their own unique style on their album "Hydro Phonic", featuring Soulman - Vocals, guitarist Jumbo Jim - Bass, backup vocals, Danny P - Guitarist, backup vocals, DJ Roachclip - Turntables, vocals, Money Mike - Drums and Milky - Merch, Vocals. Their official site can be seen here[3], or [4].
[edit] Other Film Citations
- "In the Summertime" was featured in the official soundtrack of the 2005 film, Wedding Crashers, starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
- "In the Summertime" can be heard in the background of a scene in Mr. Deeds.
- "In the Summertime" is also featured in the Welsh cult classic "Twin Town", starring Rhys Ifans and Fatty.
- "It can also be heard in an episode of the Simpsons, it's the one in which Homer, Lenny and Carl are kids in a summercamp(where Homer gets to know Marge later...).
[edit] Bob Dylan
Yet another song of the same title was written and recorded by Bob Dylan on his 1981 album Shot of Love. Written during Dylan's explicitly Christian period, its lyrics derive in part from Romans 8: 18 ("For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us").
[edit] External links
| Preceded by "Yellow River" by Christie |
UK number one single (Mungo Jerry version) June 13, 1970-July 25, 1970 |
Succeeded by "The Wonder of You (Live)" by Elvis Presley |
