Summer of '69
"Summer of '69" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Bryan Adams | ||||
from the album Reckless | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released | June 17, 1985 | |||
Recorded | 1984 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:36 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Bryan Adams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Summer of '69" |
"Summer of '69" is a song recorded by the Canadian singer Bryan Adams from his fourth album, Reckless. It is an up-tempo rock song about a dilemma between settling down or trying to become a rock star. The track was written by Adams and his longtime songwriting collaborator Jim Vallance. "Summer of '69" was produced by Adams and Bob Clearmountain. "Summer of '69" was released in June 1985 under A&M Records as the fourth single from Reckless.[1] According to later claims by Adams, the title is a reference to the sex position, not the year, but Vallance disputes this.[3]
The song was released with two
Conception and themes
After a tour supporting his album Cuts Like a Knife, Adams immediately started the recording sessions for the new album, Reckless. "Summer of '69" was finished on January 25, 1984,[6] co-written with Jim Vallance in his basement studio. The song went through a number of changes because neither Adams nor Vallance was convinced it was a strong enough song to be featured on the album. In their first draft, the lyric "summer of '69" appeared only once. At that time the two were planning to title it "Best Days of My Life" instead. While the phrase "Best Days of My Life" appeared seven times in the first draft, on the final draft it had been replaced by "Summer of '69" and appeared only two times throughout the song.[7]
When writing the lyrics "Jimmy quit, Jody got married", Vallance suggested using "Woody quit and Gordy got married", referring to members of his high school band, but Adams liked his version better. Adams mentioned once in an interview that "Jimmy" was one of his early drummers. "Jody" is a reference to Adams' sound manager, Jody Perpick, who got married during the album's recording session.
On the song's first demo, it started with a 12-string riff, just like the breakdown section in the middle of the song, but this was replaced with a chunky 6-string intro on the second demo. The song was recorded three to four times, in different ways, with both Adams and Vallance still not convinced that it was finished.[7]
"Summer of '69" is written in the key of D major.[8]
When Adams appeared on
Critical reception
In its 2005 list "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born", Blender ranked the song 70th and commented that the song "made people who hadn't yet had either a first love or a first band nostalgic for the experience".[12]
"Summer of '69" has found itself in several "best of" lists compiled by various music publications and critics, including the following:
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blender | United States | "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" | 2005 | 70[12] |
Chartattack
|
Canada | "The 100 Best Canadian Singles of All Time"[citation needed] | 1996 | 24 |
Chartattack | Canada | "The 50 Best Canadian Singles of All Time"[citation needed] | 2000 | 4 |
Chuck Eddy | United States | "The 100 Best Singles of the 80s"[citation needed] | 1990 | 50 |
Dave Marsh | United States | "The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made"[citation needed] | 1989 | 635 |
Chart performance
Upon the release of the album
The song debuted at its peak position, number 9, on August 10, on the
In 1985 the song won the
"Summer of '69" remains popular to this day in many countries around the world.
As of 2017, "Summer of '69" was, at number 115, the only song from 1995 or earlier among the 150 most streamed songs of all time in Canada by Canadian artists.[27] As of 2017, it was the 41st highest selling digital song of all time by a Canadian artist in Canada and the highest selling such song from before 2005.[28] Between 1996 and 2017, it was the 53rd most played song by a Canadian artist on Canadian radio stations of all format types, the only song before 1990 in the top 150 most played songs.[5]
In May 2021 the Official Charts Company included it in the list of huge selling summer songs in the UK.[29]
Music video
The music video, released in 1985, was directed by Irish director
Track listing and formats
- 7" single
- "Summer of '69" – 3:36
- "The Best Was Yet to Come" – 2:52
Personnel
- Bryan Adams – vocals and rhythm guitar
- Keith Scott – lead guitar
- Tommy Mandel – synthesizer and organ
- Dave Taylor – bass
- Pat Steward – drums
- Jim Vallance – tambourine
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[62] | 8× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[63] | 3× Platinum | 270,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[64] | 3× Gold | 750,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[65] | Platinum | 100,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[66] | 4× Platinum | 2,400,000‡ |
United States | — | 1,606,647[67] |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Notes
- ^ The Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart did not include re-currents so the song's popularity on album-oriented rock radio in mid-1985 is not reflected on that chart.
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4422-5449-7. Archivedfrom the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ Andrew Jett. "10 Best Pop Rock Songs". Mademan. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Is Bryan Adams' 'Summer of '69' About What You Think It Is?". November 5, 2014. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Nielsen and Billboard's Canada 150 Charts". July 2017. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Top 150 Canadian Airplay Songs – All Formats". July 2017. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Album notes for Anthology by Dave Marsh (CD booklet). A&M Records (A&M 5613). August 11, 2010.
- ^ a b c d ""Summer of '69". Jimvallance.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ Bryan, Adams; Jim, Vallance; Bryan, Adams (October 1, 2010). "Summer of '69". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "Bryan Adams: Hit Was About Sex, Not 1969". CBS News. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2019. Also available in video form at "Bryan Adams Talks '69'". CBS. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Is Bryan Adams' "Summer Of '69" About What You Think It Is?". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. June 29, 1985. p. 9. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born: 51–100". Blender. October 2005. Archived from the original on December 15, 2005. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "Bryan Adams: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 42, No. 16, June 29, 1985". RPM. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 42, No. 18, July 13, 1985". RPM. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ a b "Top Singles – Volume 43, No. 1, September 14, 1985". RPM. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Summer of '69 tops list of favourite driving songs". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC.ca). August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on January 25, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Hits, die in Sommerstimmung (...)" (in German). Südwestrundfunk (Southwest Broadcasting). Archived from the original on October 19, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- )
- )
- ^ ""50 Tracks" list of essential Canadian music". CBC Radio. 2005. Archived from the original on April 12, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
- ^ "Topp 1000 liste på Radio Norge". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
- ^ "Ann Christy stoot Queen van eerste plaats op Radio 2". Het Belang van Limburg (in Flemish). December 31, 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ Jolly, Joanna (September 3, 2011). "Close-up: Nepal's love for Bryan Adams hit Summer of '69". BBC News. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ "Grand ceremony launches World Cup". BBC. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Surprises Toronto Crowd With Bryan Adams 'Summer of '69' Duet: Watch". August 5, 2018. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ "Top 150 Canadian Streaming Songs". July 2017. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Top 150 Canadian Artist Digital Songs". July 2017. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (May 29, 2021). "Huge selling 'summer' songs, including Grease, Calvin Harris and Bryan Adams". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "The Life Of Bryan" (in Danish). Skolarbete.nu. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Rock On The Net: Bryan Adams". rockonthenet.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ Belgian peak Archived April 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69". VG-lista.
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. September 22, 1990. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 37, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Bryan Adams – Summer of '69" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ a b c "Chart Log UK: A – Azzido Da Bass". zobbel.de. Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- IFPI Finland. Archivedfrom the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on August 28, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 43, No. 16, December 28, 1985". RPM. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1985". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1985". Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2021. Cash Box magazine.
- ^ "1985 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 52. December 28, 1985. p. T-21.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1990". Ultratop. Archived from the original on January 7, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1990". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart – 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ Karen Bliss (June 29, 2017). "Canada 150: Celine Dion & Shania Twain Lead Nielsen Music Canada's Top Canadian Artists Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Bryan Adams – Summer of '69". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bryan Adams; 'Summer of '69')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Bryan Adams – Summer of '69" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Summer of '69" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – Bryan Adams – Summer of '69". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- Nielsen Soundscan. June 23, 2016. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2021.