The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer In The City” Was The Catchiest 60’s Song Around

Summertime In The City, 1966

Performing contagious and funky hit “Summer In The City,” The Lovin’ Spoonful shines musically and vocally in this 1966 as they explain why nighttime in the city is superior to a hot and dry daytime, especially in the summer.

Interesting Quote:  “That song that came from an idea my brother Mike had. He had this great chorus, and the release was so big. I had to create some kind of tension at the front end to make it even bigger. That’s where that jagged piano part comes from.” – John Sebastian

From album Hums of The Lovin’ Spoon, “Summer In The City” reached # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks straight and eventually earned a gold record.

Commonly used in films and TV shows, the tune has become somewhat of a staple rock song as it was ranked #401 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 

+ Summer In The City Lyrics +

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it’ll be alright

And babe, don’t you know it’s a pity
That the days can’t be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city

Cool town, evening in the city
Dressing so fine and looking so pretty
Cool cat, looking for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I’m wheezing like a bus stop
Running up the stairs, gonna meet you on the rooftop

But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it’ll be alright

And babe, don’t you know it’s a pity
That the days can’t be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it’ll be alright

And babe, don’t you know it’s a pity
That the days can’t be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city