The Symbolic 70s: Mungo Jerry "In The Summertime"

For this week, we will be talking about Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime". Like several other songs that I have talked about in recent posts, this one hit wonder from decades ago is still well known even by young people today. A few years ago, this song was used in an MCS commercial to promote their trips on cruise ships. My sister even remembers dancing to the song in an aqua Zumba class a few years ago. This is a happy song that does not talk about anything too serious but rather about enjoying time outdoors during the summer. The song sounds like something people would listen to during a relaxing day at the beach or pool.

What stands out to me about the song is the variety of instruments that are played in the song which include the keyboard, stand-up bass, banjo and electric guitar. The song repeats the melody over and over again throughout the song which makes the song simple and easy to follow if you do not know it well.

My grandfather pointed out that this song uses the "skiffle" style of music, which uses more unique instruments that can be found in daily life such as the washboard. He also remembers his son, (my uncle) winning a trivia contest where he had to name the artist of this song.

Recording-

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=6884fcb711&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1694883166767850302&th=17856f42a2fca33e&view=att&disp=safe