It’s a full week of summer songs here at the Classic Song of the Day blog, and today’s classic summer song of the day is the aptly named “Summer” by the band War.
“Summer” was written by the entire band—Lonnie Jordan (keyboards), Howard Scott (guitar), Lee Oskar (harmonica), Papa Dee Allen (percussion), Charles Miller (sax), B.B. Dickerson (bass), and Harold Ray Brown (drums). Released as a single in June of 1976, “Summer” hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
The song is all about… well, summer. As the lyrics put it:
Ridin’ ’round town with all the windows down
Eight track playin’ all your favorite sounds
The rhythm of the bongos fill the park
The street musicians tryin’ to get a start
‘Cause it’s summer
Summertime is here
Yes, it’s summer
My time of year
Yes, it’s summer
My time of year
In case the song’s melody seems a tad familiar, know that War’s Lonnie Jordan says he “borrowed” it from a Burger King commercial—you know, the one that goes “Have it your way.” Just sing that melody with the words “‘Cause it’s summer” and you’ll get it.
The group War formed in 1969 in Long Beach, California. Originally called Eric Burdon and War (because the former Animals’ lead singer was the original front man), the basic group evolved from an earlier group called the Creators, then Nightshift, then finally War. With Eric Burdon, the group had a #3 hit with 1970’s “Spill the Wine.” After Eric Burdon left in 1970, the band continued on its own and notched several more hits, including “Slippin’ Into Darkness” (#16 in 1972), “The World is a Ghetto (#7 in 1972), “The Cisco Kid” (#2 in 1972), “Gypsy Man” (#8 in 1973), “Me and Baby Brother” (#15 in 1973), “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (#6 in 1975), and “Low Rider” (#7 in 1975). “Summer” was their last big hit, although the band (led by Lonnie Jordan but with a vastly different lineup) continues to perform today.
By the way, War recorded a holiday version of “Summer” in 2023, imaginatively titled “(Yes It’s) Christmas.” It’s your daily bonus track of the day.
