We had a great response to our poll for your favorite summer song. Before we get to the official Top 10, there were four write-in votes for excellent songs that weren’t counted since the songs were released after the Grooveyard era of 1955-63. Let’s start with those bonus songs. (Any purists who would prefer this blog limited strictly to The Grooveyard songs can scroll down four songs and start there.)
First, a great video for the “Theme from Endless Summer” by The Sandals…
The hair on this video alone is enough to tell you this one-hit wonder is post-Grooveyard–“In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry…
This one was only off by about a decade, and was the only song on the list to include a mandolin–“Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts…
One of my favorite summer memories growing up were going to the concerts in Central Park. I saw John Sebastian, the lead singer of this group there, and wound up walking with him to the subway afterwards. It’s “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful…
On to the poll results for the songs that did qualify. The results were very close, and three songs came within a percent of making the Top 10. Let’s start with Martha and the Vandellas and “Heat Wave”…
Just a few votes would have given Woodhaven, Queens native Brian Hyland a second spot in the Top 10. (You’ve probably already guessed the one that did make it.) Here’s “Sealed With a Kiss”…
And here’s a near-miss by recent Grooveyard guest Gary (US) Bonds–“School is Out”…
Finally, on to the survey itself…
Here’s #10 by the Jamies, “Summertime, Summertime”…
#9 by Eddie Cochran –and later a huge hit for The Who– “Summertime Blues”…
Some of you were probably eagerly anticipating the video for #8–“Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” by Brian Hyland…
This seems like a good place for a commercial. Chris MacIntosh and Jay Mirabile fill in for Alan Seltzer on The Grooveyard Thursday night at 9 PM. Alan will host The Rock Show on Friday from 7-9 PM. His in-studio guest will be Playboy model–and Playmate in the Columbian and Mexico editions–Jessica Canizales. She’ll be discussing the “Sign of the Times” celebrity autograph signing, dinner and comedy show being held Saturday at Mother Kellys in Cedarhurst. The event is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. You do realize I’m doing this to help a charity, and not because I get to sit in a studio with a gorgeous swimsuit model, right? No? Well join us anyway on 88.1 FM on Long Island, wcwp.org, or the TuneIn app on your Smart Phone.. We’ll have fun!
Back to the survey, let’s cool off with Percy Faith and His Orchestra at #7–“Theme From ‘A Summer Place’ “…
The group at #6 is now celebrating their 50th anniversary. Here’s a recording of the Beach Boys in a 1964 concert with “Surfer Girl”…
You can’t roll out the season without #5–Nat “King” Cole and “The Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”…
For #4, we go to Camp Granada–Allan Sherman with “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah”…
#3 has a second offering by the Beach Boys–“Surfin’ USA”…
Summer vacation is taking you away with #2–“See You in September” by The Tempos…
…and #1 evokes memories of the place with the world’s largest outdoor salt water pool and Sunday concerts MCed by Cousin Brucie. It’s Freddy Cannon and “Palisades Park”…
Thanks again for your votes. If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to join me in “The Grooveyard” Thursday nights from 9-11 PM on 88,1 FM on Long Island, the 88.1 FM button on wcwp.org, or 88.1 FM WCWP on the TuneIn app for your Smart Phone.
“The Grooveyard…where Oldies Come Alive!”
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