Summer 91 (Looking Back)

Album: single release only (2021)
Charted: 27
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 1991 was a landmark year for dance music, with a wave of fresh and exciting styles taking the genre into different directions. The Source with Candi Staton's "You Got The Love," Seal's "Crazy," and Primal Scream's "Higher Than The Sun" were all big hits; The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld album popularized ambient house, and Saint Etienne's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" was one of several tunes centered between house and trip-hop. Meanwhile, house and rave clubs such as Lakota and Cream were emerging across Britain, while simultaneously illegal events were being held in airplane hangars, warehouses, and in the countryside. This nostalgic song finds Noizu looking back fondly at the glory years of the '90s house music and rave era.
  • Written during the COVID lockdown, the lyrics are a yearning for lost time while Noizu's production incorporates house music elements. "I wanted to capture the nostalgic elements of '90s house but with a modern feel," said the Los Angeles-based producer. "We wrote the lyrics to try and capture how people in the dance community around the world were feeling at the time."
  • Originally released on Noizu's Techne imprint in the summer of 2020, he revamped the song with more vocals and a new mix. This version, made available on RCA Records on January 15, 2021, entered the UK singles chart three months later.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.