Song #166 - "Summer In The City" - The Lovin' Spoonful

Recorded - June 9, 1966

Released - July 4, 1966

#1 for weeks of August 13, 20 and 27, 1966. 

     1965 was certainly the big year for Folk Rock. While I have already covered The Byrds and have given mention to folk artists such as Bob Dylan who went electric that year, there was another band who further helped folk rock achieve its widespread popularity. That band of course being The Lovin' Spoonful. 

     Originally based in New York City and fronted by John Sebastian, the group broke onto the scene in 1965 with "Do You Believe In Magic". Several other hits followed both that year and the next, including "Daydream" and "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind". All of these early Lovin' Spoonful songs are very grounded in folk music and often feature John Sebastian on autoharp. However, it was their first #1 hit in the summer of 1966 that gave way to a more pure rock sound - "Summer In The City". 

     Sure, there are elements of "Summer In The City" which maintain the original Lovin' Spoonful aesthetic. There's autoharp, courtesy of John Sebastian, and the same poetic and clever lyrics present in their earlier hits. Yet that's where the similarities end. In fact, I'd say "Summer..." owes a lot more to the sound of Motown, and even predates the funkier sounds of Sly And The Family Stone. 

     "Summer In The City" gets you hooked right away with its stop/start introduction. Due to the rapid pace that John Sebastian sings the vocals and the frantic minor keyed melody, the listener is reminded of a hustling and bustling hot day in the city. I always love songs like this which manage to tie the music in with the lyrics. 

     The Lovin' Spoonful would have minimal success following 1967 after original member Zal Yanovsky departed from the lineup. The band would ultimately end up splitting in 1969. John Sebastian continued to have success in the next decade with a #1 hit, "Welcome Back". He continues to this very day to perform live and has even put together a documentary on the history of folk music. Yet, he and The Lovin' Spoonful will be remembered most for the wonderful classics they gave us from 1965-1966.

Final Verdict - "Summer In The City" is a hot, energetic, and even funky rock number. It doesn't matter if you've heard it yet or you know it by heart, I'd still recommend giving it another spin.

             Coming Up Next - "Sunshine Superman" by Donovan.

Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock, and "Don't you know it's a pity" that 1966 will soon be over -