My Gen X Playlist: Summertime – The Sundays

Since this prompt is so similar to a recent one, I’m going to take the free pass today. There hasn’t been any earth shattering shifts in the past few weeks, so I’ll spare you the copy and past for today’s prompt. That just leaves me with the fun part – choosing a song. . .

I initially chose Summertime by The Sundays to celebrate the end of the season. Because summer officially ends September 22nd, what better idea than to get lost in Harriet Wheeler’s beautiful vocals with the remaining summer days. I always assumed this song was about, well. . . summertime. It turns out, I was only partially correct. For context, this song was released in 1997 and social acceptance has evolved since then.

According to band members Harriet Wheeler and David Gavurin, the couple wrote “Summertime” after a few of their friends signed up for a dating service. Gavurin elaborated that he was inspired to write the song because practices such as joining singles groups and advertising oneself for romance was becoming more “respectable”, despite the fact that both he and Wheeler believed these practices were “tragic and funny” and took away the chance for people to meet face-to-face.

– wikiwand

OK, yes, very interesting. Interesting, but definitely not satisfying, if that makes any sense. I did a little more digging and this next one feels a little better.

“Summertime” is a song that captures the essence of summer, evoking a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet memories. The lyrics take listeners on a journey of introspection, reminiscing about a past relationship or a fleeting romance. The hauntingly beautiful voice of Harriet Wheeler, the band’s lead vocalist, adds an ethereal quality to the song, enveloping listeners in a wave of emotions.

– OldTimeMusic

Ah, there you go. This is more about the feel of the song and that’s what’s most important on my free pass day. Cheers to the final weeks of summer.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Do some people wind up with the one that they adore
In a heart-shaped hotel room it's what a heart is for
The bubble floats so madly will it stay sky-high?
Hello partner
Kiss your name bye-bye
Sometimes...

Romantic Piscean seeks angel in disguise
Chinese-speaking girlfriend big brown eyes
Liverpudlian lady sophisticated male
Hello partner
Tell me love can't fail

And it's you and me in the summertime
We'll be hand in hand down in the park
With a squeeze and a sigh & that twinkle in your eye
And all the sunshine banishes the dark

Do some people wind up with the one that they abhor
In a distant hell-hole room third world war
But all I see is films where a colourless despair
Meant angry young men with immaculate hair
Sometimes...

Get up a voice inside says there's no time for looking down
Only a pound a word & you're talking to the town
But how do you coin the phrase though that will set your soul apart?
Just to touch
A lonely heart

And it's you & me in the summertime
We'll be hand in hand down in the park
With a squeeze and a sigh & that twinkle in your eye
And all the sunshine banishes the dark

And it's you I need in the summertime
As I turn my white skin red
Two peas from the same pod yes we are
Or have I read too much fiction?
Is this how it happens?