Oldies Vault: Fun In The Summer Sun

Time for some fun in the sun. Enjoy these “summer flavored” blasts from the past, evoking simpler times. Whether you want soft songs for summer romance, sunny “pop” songs for cruising to the beach or songs with a hard, danceable edge, reach into the oldies vault — there’s something for everyone!

Back in the 50’s, Harry Belafonte rode the crest of the calypso wave launching him into stardom. Sadly, we recently we lost Mr. Belafonte, but his music lives on forever with classics such as Banana Boat (Day-O), Coconut Woman and Island in the Sun.

The 60’s brought us plenty of “fun in the sun groups” – the ultimate being the Beach Boys (who still had “summer staying power” with their 80’s hit, Kokomo).  Sun, sand and hot rods ruled the airwaves with countless groups singing their fast-car hits such as Hot Rod Lincoln, Hot Rod City, Hey Little Cobra, Mustang Sally – and everyone was warned about that Little Old Lady From Pasadena (go Granny go Granny go)!

Through the years, we had the Safaris wiping out and Martha & the Vandellas comparing love to a Heatwave. Seals & Crofts, Sinatra and Richard Marx sang about the Summer Breeze, Summer Wind and those Endless Summer Nights.

A little trivia: Do you remember the 70’s song titles for these singers: Daddy Dewdrop simply couldn’t get enough of the chick in the black bikini. Bobby Bloom gave us a one-hit wonder with a catchy beach vibe. First Class sang about a special summer love. Tony Orlando & Dawn gave us a romantic beach song. Give up? Song titles are in the list below.

Even though the music of sand, surf and hot rods started to fade in the 70’s — the 80’s and even 90’s, still gave us some summer hits. Katrina & The Waves had us all Walking on Sunshine. Other songs like Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fun, have a care-free happy vibe, perfect for a gal-pal summer getaway. And who doesn’t want to sit out on the beach or deck with a drink in hand as we drift off with Jimmy Buffet to Margaritaville?

So feel the Warmth of the Sun with these summer flavored hits from the past:

Banana Boat (Day-O) – Harry Belafonte ‘57

Coconut Woman – Harry Belafonte ‘57

Island In The Sun – Harry Belafone ‘57

Love Letters in the Sand – Pat Boone ‘57

One Summer Night – Danleers ‘58

Sea Cruise – Frankie Ford ‘59

Summertime Summertime – The Jamies – hit it twice (‘58 and again in ‘62)

Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran ‘58 and The Who ‘70

See You in September – The Tempos ‘59 The Happenings ‘66

Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin ‘60

Surf City – Jan & Dean ‘63

Hot Rod City – the Super Stocks ‘63 (from the LP Hot Rod Rally)

Surfer Girl – Beach Boys ‘63

Heatwave – Martha and the Vandellas ‘63

Fun Fun Fun – Beach Boys ‘64

GTO – Ronny & the Daytonas ‘64

Under the Boardwalk – The Drifters ‘64

Warmth of the Sun – Beach Boys ‘64

Ride the Wild Surf – Jan & Dean ‘64 (from the movie: Ride the Wild Surf)

Summer Wind – Frank Sinatra (‘66)

Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett ‘66

Good Vibrations – Beach Boys ‘66 Todd Rundgren ‘76

(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding ‘68

Theme from Hawaii 5-0 The Ventures ‘69

In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry ‘70

Montego Bay – Bobby Bloom ‘71

Summer Sand – Dawn ‘71

Chick-A-Boom – Daddy Dewdrop ‘71

Summer Breeze – Seals and Crofts ‘72

Beach Baby – First Class ‘74

Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet ‘77

Car Wash – Rose Royce ‘77

Summer Nights – Olivia Newton-John with John Travolta ‘78

Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes ‘79

Vacation – The Go Gos ‘82

Boys of Summer – Don Henley ‘84

Cruel Summer – Bananarama ‘84

Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper ‘84

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves ‘85

Theme From Miami Vice – Jan Hammer ‘85

Endless Summer Nights – Richard Marx ‘88

Kokomo – Beach Boys ‘88

So whether you “pop the top” for the weekend and head to the beach or drift off on your deck or patio to Margaritaville, check out these hot hits from the past. Load them into your favorite listening devices or check them out on YouTube.

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