Here Comes Summer

Album: Biggest Summer Hits (1959)
Charted: 1 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American singer Jerry Keller formed his first group, The Lads of Note, whilst still in his teens in the early 1950s. After studying at the University of Tulsa, Keller moved to New York in 1956. He attended the same church there as Pat Boone, who sent him to see Marty Mills who became Keller's manager. This song became his only hit as a recording artist on the UK and US singles charts, but he later carved out a successful career as a songwriter. Among the hits he co-penned were Andy Williams' successful single "Almost There," from the 1964 movie I'd Rather Be Rich. He also wrote the English lyric for "A Man and A Woman " from the 1966 French Academy Award winning film Un Homme et Une Femme, which has been recorded by a number of artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Engelbert Humperdinck and Johnny Mathis.
  • Many consider this song, which celebrates teenage innocence, to be the UK's first ever summer hit. Strangely, though it entered the UK charts in August, this song arrived at #1 in the rather unseasonal month of October.
  • The Dave Clark Five revived this song in 1970, but their version proved less successful peaking at #44 in the UK.

Comments: 4

  • Brady6 from Ohio, Usa“Here Comes Summer” was recorded in late 1958. Wisely, it was held back for release for the summer of 1959. Planned for release in early May, for some reason it was delayed several weeks. That probably is why the song did not reach the top ten in the US.
  • Paul from LondonI've seen a record label dated 1958 for this single. Am I right in thinking this song was first released in States that year but it failed to chart? When released a whole year later in the UK in the autumn of 1959 it went straight to No.1!
  • AnonymousI've seen a record label dated 1958 for this single. Am I right in thinking this song was first released in States that year but it failed to chart? When released a whole year later in the UK in the autumn of 1959 it went straight to No.1!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 23rd 1959, "Here Comes Summer" by Jerry Keller entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #14 and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on October 9th, 1959 it reached #1 (for 1 week) on the United Kingdom's Singles chart...
    Mr. Keller celebrated his 77th birthday three days ago on June 20th, 2014.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

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.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.