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This lazy, laid back celebration of love on a summer's day originated with John Sebastian's attempt to rewrite the Supremes' "
Baby Love," though it turned into something quite different.
John Sebastian "We had no way of knowing what a nice long shelf life some of that material was gonna have. At the time, we were certainly aiming only for the next few months. That's really what we were trying for, a Top Ten record right now, right then. Everything else is unexpected." (courtesy:
theharbinger.org.
This song started The whole New Vaudeville Bandwagon in the late 1960s of which
Sgt. Pepper was the most well known example. This song influenced the Beatles, as John Lennon's jukebox included both this and "
Do You Believe In Magic?." This song was a major influence on Paul McCartney's Beatles composition "
Good Day Sunshine."
Films and TV shows to include this classic as part of their soundtrack include: 1989 film Field of Dreams, the pilot episode of the TV series Men of a Certain Age, 1994 film The War, the "John Lennon's Jukebox" episode of the TV series The South Bank Show, 1967's Poor Cow, and 1970 film Summer in the City.
How authentic is the Baby Boomer street-cred of Lovin' Spoonful lead John Sebastian? So much so that he was born in 1944 in Greenwich Village, New York, and his tie-dye denim jacket is on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, since they were inducted into it in 2000.
Another one for the trivia freaks: John Sebastian is the godson of actress Vivian Vance, whom you know as Ethel Mertz in the classic TV series I Love Lucy.
Other artists to cover this song include: Chet Atkins, David Cassidy, Art Garfunkel (on the album named Daydream - Songs from a Parent to a Child), Rick Nelson, The Sweet, and The Sandpipers.
Comments (6):
Chris Tomlin
The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.
Al Jourgensen of Ministry
In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.
Brad Smith of Blind Melon
The Blind Melon bassist/songwriter tells the story of "No Rain," which he wrote before the band was formed.
Songs Discussed in Movies
Bridesmaids,
Reservoir Dogs,
Willy Wonka. Just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.
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