Just as movie fans look forward to the release of the summer blockbuster movies, I look forward to picking out the popular Music Hits of the Summer!
Most people think of Songs of the Summer dating back to the 1950s & 60s….but they are actually dated back to the 1800s when sheet-music sales would sky-rocket for a catchy song during the summer months. This is particularly true of U.S. Composer Stephen Foster’s pieces like Old Dog Tray and Camptown Races.
When phonographs and radio became popular in the 1920s, the New York Times started chronicling the Songs of Summer with Yes, We Have No Bananas by Louis Prima & Orchestra. It’s catchy, easy to remember and most importantly easy to sing along to…these are key components to a good Summer Song. Our brains love repetition and popular music never disappoints, but there is always a balance between too much repetition and just enough small musical surprises to make a song a hit.
If we move forward in time a bit, here are some fun singalong Summer Hit Songs by decade:
- 1969 – Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
- 1974 – Annies Song by John Denver
- 1985 – Raspberry Beret by Prince
- 1997 – MMMBop by Hansen
- 2005 – Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stephani
- 2013 – Cups by Anna Kendrick
- 2022 – As It Was by Harry Styles
There have been a few really fun songs released on the radio recently, but I’m still deciding on my vote for this summer… what is your favourite?
