By Sarah08/09/2021
What would summer be without kicking back and relaxing in the sun with your favourite songs in the background? As fun as a lot of music created in the most recent years is, we can’t forget about the oldies but goodies that never fail to lift our spirits.
One
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters - 1941
This song was recorded in 1941 for the comedy film “Buck Privates” and written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince. It was nominated for several awards at the time, and reached No. 6 on the U.S. pop singles charts in the spring of that year when the movie was released!
“He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way; He had a boogie style that no one else could play. He was the top man at his craft, But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft. He's in the army now, a-blowin' reveille; He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B.”
Two
Swinging On A Star by Bing Crosby - 1944
The very first recording of this jolly tune was recorded in 1944 by Bing Crosby alongside John Scott Troller and his orchestra. It’s rumoured that the inspiration for this song came from something Bing said to his complaining son at the dinner table - “if you don’t go to school, you might grow up to be a mule”.
“And, by the way, if you hate to go to school You may grow up to be a mule Or would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar?”
Three
Sh’boom (Life Could be a Dream) by The Chords - 1954
Also known as “Life Could be a Dream”, this is an early doo-wop song written by The Chords and published in 1954. Even though The Chords were an R&B group, this song was considered the first doo-wop piece to the top ten on the pop charts!
“Life could be a dream Sh-boom, if I could take you to a paradise up above If you will tell me I'm the only one that you love Life could be a dream, sweetheart, hello, hello again.”
Four
Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day - 1958
“Rockin’ Robin” was Bobby Day’s biggest hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending one week at the top of the charts. In 1972, Michael Jackson recorded his own version of this song which became his biggest hit from the album “Got to Be There”.
“'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight (Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee) Every little swallow, every chick-a-dee Every little bird in the tall oak tree.”
Five
Splish Splash by Bobby Darin - 1958
This song gave artist Bobby Darin a major boost in his career, reaching No. 3 on the U.S. pop singles chart and No. 2 on the R&B best sellers chart. The lyrics refer to other popular songs of the time period including “Lollipop”, “Peggy Sue” and “Good Golly Miss Molly”.
“Splish splash, I was taking a bath Long about a Saturday night, yeah A rub dub, just relaxing in the tub Thinking everything was alright.”
Six
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini by Brian Hyland - 1960
After its release in 1960, this song quickly became a worldwide sensation. In the United States alone, over a million copies were sold and overseas, adaptations in different languages were written!
“It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini That she wore for the first time today An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini So in the blanket, she wanted to stay.”
Seven
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison - 1967
Considered to be Van Morrison’s signature song, “Brown Eyed Girl” spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. To this day, this song is regularly played and enjoyed on classic rock radio stations; being constantly covered by musicians worldwide.
“Hey, where did we go? Days when the rains came Down in the hollow Playin' a new game Laughin' and a-runnin', hey, hey Skippin' and a-jumpin' In the misty morning fog with Our, our hearts a-thumping and you.”
That’s a wrap! We don’t know about you, but there’s no doubt that if any one of these songs were played on a playlist or radio station that we wouldn’t be able to resist bursting into song (or a smile). Can you think of any songs that should be included in our next blog post? Let us know by sending a message to any of our social media platforms!