The title alone and I bet your already wanting to sing.
Its just one of those songs you always sing regardless of where you are. Trust me it happens, the song will begin to play while shopping at your favorite store; you start of humming and by the chorus the whole store is singing along.
The Boys of Summer was originally sung by Don Henley and released on his 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. The song was written by Henley and Mike Campbell. Since the release of his version many covers began to follow. Some of the most memorable covers of the song are done by Dj Sammy and the Ataris. All of the versions have the same song lyrics yet each one sounds different because of the genre of music the lyrics are presented.
In the original Don Henley version the song is done in a mellow rock style. The introduction is very haunting and later builds into the fun summer hook of the song. The Dj Sammy version takes a complete twist on the classic song. This version is done in a euro/electronic genre. This version starts off up tempo and joyful and remains fun and playful throughout the whole song. The Ataris version takes the song to a whole new direction. In this version the song is done in a Rock/Screamo version. This version starts very uptempo and builds into the lyrics much faster then the two other versions.
Both the Don Henley version and Dj Sammy version are sang much slower emphasizing the words while the Ataris version is done very fast and the words are slurred together with no pauses.
Now for the music video’s.
Don Henley’s version typical 80’s music video - Black and white and cheesy galore.
The video shows a young boy through different stages of his life and through relationships. From a directorial point of view its well done with the flashbacks. Only thing is the close ups on Henley were not needed. Last comment on this one- it’s a song about the summer and the beach, we notice the beach one whole time. Woah!
Dj Sammy’s version, the best in my opinion. It’s a song about the beach and the summer so the video has a group of people in little clothes on the beach- Boring…simple idea? Yes it is. But it works- Also this version fallows the song lyrics – long brown hair- the tan it all works very well.
Happy summer time love song with a fun music video
The Ataris- Honestly, I don’t know what happened. This video has nothing to do with the song. Personally I think the video was done for another song.
The song says
But I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin’ in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
Yet the video shows a pale skinned black hair no sunglasses wearing female. ‘Common Ataris the details were there for you!
Another problem with this version, it’s about summer love and the beach, I did not see any love connection or any beach- I did see a lot of ladybugs.
Ladybugs do not equal love and the beach.
Usually I think covers ruin a song.
“ You can’t beet the original- it’s a classic.”
WRONG.
My favorite of the versions….
Hands Down Dj Sammy.
So what if I’m biased- I cant help but love euro.
So take a listen to all three versions-
If you don’t have the time-
I’ll rank them for you
1) Dj Sammy
2) The Ataris
3) Don Henley
Once again biased I know- being young it is enivedible I like the never versions of the song with more of an up temo.
Don’t worry I know you wanted to sing along. The lyrics are posted below the videos. Just click the link. It's simple - well to must.
"The Boys of Summer" (Dj Sammy 2002)
"The Boys of Summer" (The Ataris 2003)
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