JERRY KELLER - “Here Comes Summer”
(9th October 1959)
At first glace Jerry Keller’s only Brit hit seems dreadfully badly timed: a breezy Hammond confection about the onset of Summer reaching No.1 in October. But when you hear the record it makes sense - contentedly wistful, this is a song for a satisfied Summer’s end. Whether Keller meant it that way is anyone’s guess, but his cosy, introspective vocal line is hardly brimming with the title’s suggested anticipation.
The lyrics are a seasonal checklist: a concentrate of the All-American Fantasy Summer that became a lodestone for pop culture, a teen Eden to return to or subvert. It must have been a particularly seductive vision for British kids, whose own blazing Summer had been soundtracked by the likes of Craig Douglas and whose climate was not generally suited to “drive-in movies every night”. Even so the lingering presence of that ultimate Summer in pop is much more to do with Hollywood and the Beach Boys than poor, bland, forgotten Jerry Keller. But “Here Comes Summer” is a gem for all that - optimistic, catchy, delightfully and economically arranged: a suitable curtain call for teen-pop’s first heatwave. 6
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papacool on January 6th, 2007
Ever since I heard this back in 1959, it has ALWAYS been a favoutite of mine. ‘FRIENDS’ have poo hood and scorned me about this record ‘Here Comes Summer’ but, I think deep down, they really do like and appreciate this. I brings back som many memories of the ‘good-old-days’. Now that we are in our 60’s O like to let my grand children here what we listened to. Ahh… bring back that kind of music
Swatcat on February 21st, 2007
I have not heard this track for MANY MANY years, first play and I was hooked on it again - the simple lyrics work well coupled with the harmonising backing singers makes it a great track.
Chris W on December 2nd, 2007
This song was a favorite of mine when it first hit the charts. It became an anthem every year as school let out and we looked forward to the days of a carefree summer as described in the lyrics.