22 August 2008
Top 10 summer bank holiday songs
With the summer bank holiday upon us the Performing Right Society (PRS) today reveals the top ten most played songs about summer over the last year.
We’ve had the wettest August for a hundred years, but lots of people are keeping happy by listening to these summer-themed songs.
Topping the chart is Johnny Nash’s reggae song I Can See Clearly Now – famous for its optimistic lyrics and upbeat tempo. This is closely followed by the iconic Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.
Despite being recognised as one of the most played summer songs; at third is Bryan Adam’s Summer of ‘69, which only ever reached #42 on the UK charts.
Top ten most popular summer songs:
| 1 |
Johnny Nash |
I Can See Clearly Now |
Johnny Nash |
Warner/Chappell |
| Trivia: The song stayed at #1 in the US for four weeks and did more to bring the sound of reggae music into the mainstream than any other song up to that point |
| 2 |
Katrina & the Waves |
Walking on Sunshine |
Kimberly Rew |
Screen Gems - EMI Ltd |
| Trivia: Summer 1985, Live Aid pop concerts are held around the world and raise £50 million for famine relief in Ethiopia. |
| 3 |
Bryan Adams |
Summer of '69 |
Bryan Adams/James Douglas Vallance |
Universal |
| Trivia: A nostalgic song which actually refers back to Adams' youth and time spent in the summer of ‘69. |
| 4 |
The Kinks |
Sunny Afternoon |
Ray Davies |
Carlin Music |
| Trivia: Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks was in fact made very quickly, early one morning. |
| 5 |
Don Henley |
The Boys Of Summer |
Don Henley/Michael Campbell |
Warner/Chappell |
| Trivia: The Boys of Summer is also a common nickname for baseball players in America. |
| 6 |
Mungo Jerry |
In The Summertime |
Raymond Dorset |
Sony |
| Trivia: The song celebrates the carefree days of summer and reached the No. 1 position on charts around the world, including seven weeks in the UK. |
| 7 |
Bananarama |
Cruel Summer |
Steve Jolley/Tony Swain/Siobhan Fahey/Keren Woodward/Sarah Dallin |
Associated Music/Reverb/Sony |
| Trivia: Coincidentally 1983 was the fourth hottest summer recorded in the UK for a century. |
| 8 |
Isley Brothers |
Summer Breeze |
James Seals/Darrell Crofts |
The International Music Network/Universal MCA |
| Trivia: The song was released from the album 3 + 3 and considered the most successful period for the Isley Brothers. |
| 9 |
The Beatles |
Here Comes The Sun |
George Harrison |
Harrisongs UK |
| Trivia: This song was inspired by the long winters in England which Harrison thought went on forever. |
| 10 |
Cliff Richard |
Summer Holiday |
Brian Bennett/Bruce Welch |
Elstree Music |
| Trivia: The song captured the popular mood of the time as relatively cheap continental holidays became available in Britain around the time of its release. |
Source: PRS
The results are based on data complied by the PRS, in order to pay accurate royalties to its 60,000 composer, songwriter and music publisher members whenever their music is broadcast or publicly performed. PRS identified summer themed songs and checked these songs against its database to identify the songs with the most plays.
Commenting on the results, Ellis Rich, Chairman of PRS said: ‘The summer's been a bit of a wash-out, so it’s great to hear these classic summer-time songs that remind us of the best of British weather.
All these summer songs have stood the test of time, which goes to show the importance of music in our lives and the nostalgia it brings, no matter what the weather forecast.
Across the country, wherever people are enjoying music this weekend such as Nottinghill Carnival, Highland Games or Pimm’s Summerfest, we hope the weather holds out for them.’
- Ends -
Contact:
PRS - Catherine George 020 7306 4777
Votive Communications – Simon Chan 020 7353 9304
Notes to editors:
© You are free to use the findings of this exclusive survey providing you credit the Performing Right Society.
PRS, The Performing Right Society, creating a future for music. As a not-for-profit membership society, PRS ensures composers, songwriters and music publishers are paid royalties when their music is used. Music is everywhere, every day: live performance, TV and radio, CDs, DVDs, downloads, streams and everything in between. Royalties create a future for music by supporting creators while they continue to write. www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk