Back then we had the "AM Transistor Radio" that we held in the palm of our hand. It was powered by a nine-volt battery and had an earpiece to it too. I was twelve years old back in 1966...Now I'm 68 years old and a senior citizen. Watching today's youth reacting to what I consider the greatest decade in Rock & Roll music history the 60's. Awesome!
Yesserie I collect these radios, they’re often works of art . A cheaper hobby that fulfills a “reminisce”need of mine. And older tube radios sound awesome after making them Bluetooth capable.
I'm 8, my father spent the week ends on the golf course. The golf course opened a swimming pool for families to build memberships. There was a small shop that sold snacks/drinks/hamburgers. During swim breaks we would go get ice cold Coke (bottle) from a "Coca cola" vending machine. All the chocolate bars were kept in a freezer to keep them from melting. My go to was Butterfinger bar. On the juke box inside the music was sent out to the pool through a megaphone like speaker. This is just one of the songs that instantly take me there even today at 63. I can still smell the chlorine from the pool. Other tunes were "Green River" from CCR, "Light My Fire" the Doors, Ride Captain Ride" Blues Image among many more. The first playlist I ever created were the songs from spending days at the pool. It's the first of many. I never mustered the courage to dive from the tall diving board. About 20 feet high! I think my first crush happened there a few years later when I begin to notice girls could be more than a sister( I had two) That golf course is no longer, the pool was closed long before that. The land the golf course set on was recently sold. It is currently becoming a new residential area in Wichita Falls, Texas. It began as Skyline then went through some name changes La Vista/Hawk Ridge before the drought was to much for the owners to overcome. But I still go there when I hear one of those songs. Lovin Spoonful thanks for the memories!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Summer in the City" was released in July of 1966 and was a number one hit for the Spoonful. John Sebastion sang lead. Try "Darlin' Be Home Soon" and "Do You Believe in Magic?" by them.
Lead singer is John Sebastian. This was a huge hit in the sixties. Other songs to check out by them are: Do You Believe In Magic (biggest hit) Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind Daydream Jug Band Music Nashville Cats.
Great songs, but actually this was their greatest hit (Summer in the City). "Daydream", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" and "Nashville Cats" were also all bigger hits than "Do You Believe In Magic". But it might have stuck in your mind because it was their very first big hit (#9 on the charts).
The Lovin' Spoonful was one of my favorite groups. I am 70 years old and John Sebastian was a great musician. He played keyboards, guitar and autoharp.
Right on. One of my fave bands too. I was 17 that year. I play one so it's a fun rock trivia Q: What's the only rock band to use an autoharp? You can hear it best on the chorus. And also strong on "Do You Believe in Magic".
So many GREAT songs from The Lovin' Spoonful. "Darling be Home Soon", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind", "Do You Believe in Magic" so many... Another similar group would be Spanky and Our Gang.
We had record player!! With two speakers!!! Yeah man, they were Nice! We had LP's. We had The Beetles, The Monkeys, GREATEST hits mixes- they'd advertise on TV. I had Tom Jones, Billy Paul, Isaac Hayes, The Supremes greatest hits - you got 3 LP's then after the 70's I had stacks of LP's and 45's. MJ was my first 45- I WANT YOU BACK!
Another great song by LS is "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" Summer in the City played over and over at the swimming pool for years. John Sebatian on keyboard has written a long list of hit songs. One song many are familiar with is the theme song to Welcome Back Kotter
The Loving Spoonful were like a shooting star, they burnt bright for a few years and left their mark on the landscape of 60s Rock. Many great singles. 👍
The Spoonful were absolutely fantastic. I loved them then and still do. I was a ten year old the summer this hit the AM airwaves in 1966 and it’s one of my top three summer tunes of all time. Still have the single on Kama Sutra records.
@@resurrectionwaiting9294 John got busted for pot possession and was threatened with being deported back to his native Canada. He ended up turning in his band mates, and that was the end of the Spoonful.
So many great hits.. Think on the national charts except for this one which was a number 1 song, they had 4 number 2 hits .. in the rock n roll hall of fame.. go with what others have mentioned to play next.. can't go wrong.. btw.. John Sebastian the lead singer went solo, was at Woodstock & I guess is most famous for the title song to the 70's sitcom, Welcome Back Kotter, (Welcome Back) ..wonderful reaction to a 60's blast..
John Sebastian is such a musical talent. I was but a baby when this song was originally released so couldn't exactly grab a girl and go dancing out in the city all night,but my mum introduced me to this group in the 70s by playing the greatest hits album of theirs she had.
You need to check out their tune “What a Day for a Daydream”. It really has a lazy summer day vibe. John Sebastian has the best voice and writes amazing tunes. Also the music device of the day was a transistor radio.
I was thinking Daydream but there are so many songs of theirs I've a soft spot for. Do You Believe in Magic?,Nashville Cats,even You're a Big Boy Now,Six O'Clock and Darling Be Home Soon.
Listen to You Didn't Have To Be So Nice soon. Everything they did was good! I had a crush on John Sebastian and was lucky enough to meet him a few times, in my 50s and 60s though. Real nice guy, still tours.
@Dave Oplinger, thanks I was looking for this one; a little quirky but that's how I like them. I was 12 in 1966 what a great time to be alive for the best music ever 60-70s!! 😎😎😎😎
This song always reminds me of the summer of 66.We just moved to Miami Beach,I was 9 yrs old but have three older brothers and this song was playing all summer long on the car radio and brings me right back to that summer, the beaches ,our new house and the hotels on the beach ,I think this song will always stick in my mind , I still have my 45 record of that song.
The lyrics differ from most songs about the summer by lamenting the heat, contrasting the unpleasant warmth and noise of the daytime with the relief offered by the cool night, which allows for the nightlife to begin. I was only a year old when it came out but my dad loved this band
Lead singer John Sebastian also had a huge hit as a solo artist with the theme from the 70's sitcom Welcome Back Kotter starting John Travolta. He has such a sweet voice...great band !! 😎🙏❤🇨🇦
I was nine years old during the summer of 1966 and that song was all over the radio. That’s Jon B. Sebastian playing keyboards Jon B. Sebastian was at Woodstock he sang a song called “ I’ll Paint Rainbows all over your Blues” which is one of my favorite songs you have to check out from the Woodstock album… John B Sebastian is the man! He even did an episode of Married with Children!! Lol .. love you guys keep up the great work!
♥Yes I was around, and yes some beautiful memories of my teenage years. I'm so glad y'all got around to the Lovin' Spoonful. John Sebastian is the singer. Other songs are "Do You Believe In Magic", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?", "Daydream", and "Nashville Cats". Love you guys! ♥
This song brought back a lot of childhood memories! The lead singer's name is John Sebastian, and the band's name was inspired by some lines in a song of Mississippi John Hurt called the "Coffee Blues". Also, you might find it interesting that although the Lovin' Spoonful was not scheduled to play at Woodstock, John Sebastian (lead singer/keyboards) made a solo impromptu (accidental) appearance at the 1969 Woodstock festival. He was there as part of the audience and recognized in the crowd, so they gave him an acoustic guitar, and he played 3 songs. The audience was very familiar with who he was and that he was the founding member of the Lovin' Spoonful, so they were pleasantly surprised. Thanks for this reaction! ;-)
In a coffee house Sebastian sat And after every number they'd pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire just a-gettin' higher in L.A., You know where that's at... (Special internet points for whomever can finish the verse without cheating)
@@EW-ty6qw - Creeque Alley. "And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass." I knew the lyrics, but for some reason, I couldn't think of the song. So I did cheat a little. ✌💙✌
And when the summer comes to a close Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy an equally gorgeous song where the summer comes to a close and all those things we miss when it does
Love, Love, Love the Lovin’ Spoonful! The mid to late 60’s had some of the BEST 60’s music! The LA sound was really there. John Sebastian was awesome. He performed at Woodstock, by the way. 1966…I was a teen. And we had trasister radios. Radio DJ’s were everything to us!
John Sebastian, the lead singer, is a great songwriter and his songs have been covered by many other artists. He also wrote and performed the theme song from the 1970s sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter," which launched the career of John Travolta.
The Lovin' Spoonful had so many wonderful songs. These guys and the Turtles were both a great band and had similar sounds and lots of records, ALL GOOD! I want to hear them all!
My favorite song from the Lovin' Spoonful. This is from 1966. Other songs to check out by them is "She's Still a Mystery to Me" and "Darlin Be Home Soon. The lead singer is John Sebastian who also recorded "Welcome Back Kotter" from the TV show. This was a monster hit in the day.
Deep breath............ I was 9! Loved this song! So fortunate to grow up with such wonderful music. There was a small family owned beach not far from me. Campground, pavilion (with jukebox), snack bar, boat ramp. We were friends with the family. Folks used to leave me there for a couple of weeks in the summer. Their daughter was the same age. We used to go to the pavilion at night, fire up the jukebox, dance in the cool, soft dirt. Wonderful memories!
John Sebastian is the lead singer. This was definitely 1966, *before* the hippie thing really got going. Everybody listened to this and everything on their AM transistor radios, full blast. And this was on the air all the time. They were so cool.
Hey guys. LOL Jay. They were transistor radios dude. Juke boxes are those huge record machines in diners and bars. That was John Sebastian singing this song. John wrote and sang lead on most of their songs the first few years. John had grown up in The Village in NYC. His dad was a harmonica player, and John grew up around musicians. The lead guitar was taken from a folky group that included Mama Cass. In fact in the Mamas and Papas song Creeque Alley (you should do that one if you haven't yet btw), they mention The Spoonful. I don't know if you guys have ever seen old reruns or heard about a show called Welcome Back Kotter, but the theme song was written and sung by John Sebastian. Man I miss the 60s. LOL. Summer music was big back in the day. Under the boardwalk, Up on the roof, or of course anything by the Beach Boys. For more Spoonful, try You didn't have to be so nice, or Do you believe in magic, or did you ever have to make up your mind.
I was a teenager and Amber you were right. This is one of those gems from that time. The Lovin' Spoonful were part of that number of folk rock groups that were around at the time and had big hits. Try the songs "Rain On the Roof" or "Do You believe in Magic." The lead singer is John Sebastion and he sang at Woodstock as a single performer. Other groups that were huge like the Spoonful at the time were the Byrds, The Turtles, and The Association. This last group is one Amber that I think you'd like. Their big hits were "Cherish", and especially "Windy." Thank you for sharing. It's nice to see you appreciate what a unique time the 1960s were. Folks such as myself have tried to live with peace and love in our hearts.
John Sebastian and Zal ( "Zally") Yanovsky from the Spoonful were folkies who were acquainted with members of the Mamas and the Papas before both bands made it big. Sebastian and Zally are name-checked in the Mamas and Papas song Creeque Alley.
Yes this song was popular not only in the 60s but also pretty much every decades since: well preserved on oldies radio. These guys had a ton of hits.Funny songs, standard pop songs, and Ballads too.
In July 1966 I was due to go into hospital for an operation - I was aged ten , and got a new transistor radio for my birthday the month before. BBC radio was awful with hardly any pop music , but there was a pirate radio station called Radio Scotland which came from a boat offshore. They played nothing but pop and about once an hour my favourite record got played - Ike and Tina Turner ( just Tina on the record though ) - " River Deep , Mountain High" . It got me through my hospital visit ! You haven't lived until you've heard it Amber !
I graduated high school in 66. That summer was full of great hits. "Do You Believe In Magic" and "Younger Girl". John Sebastián was the lead singer, probably still singing.
One thing that makes this song work is the switch between minor and major modes. It starts in minor as the lyrics refer to the oppressive heat of the daytime, but then switches to major when the lyrics refer to the cooler nighttime. The lead singer is John Sebastian. He had a solo hit with the theme song to Welcome Back, Kotter in 1976.
Lead-singer John Sebastian also went on in the mid-70's to record the theme for the hit TV series - Welcome Back Kotter about an inner city teacher. The show also began John Travolta's career. A great upbeat hippie-vibe song the Lovin' Spoonful had was - Do You Believe In Magic. Amber'll love it! Jordan'll dig the chorus energy too.
I wasn't born till 1970 but thru my early years it was very much a current song and by the time I was a teen in the 80s it was one of those 60s classics everybody still loved. So it was an ever present familiar song throughout my youth.
I love The Lovin' Spoonful and especially "Summer in the City." Other memorable songs from that time are “Pied Piper” by Crispian St. Peters, “Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks, and “Black is Black” by Los Bravos.
@@maureencollins5177 If you check out Rob Squad's Reaction to The Turtles song 'Happy Together' from two weeks ago you'll find my big list of Turtle songs that you may not be familiar with. Enjoy!
This song was a big hit in Canada. I remember laying on the beach and watching the hippies making beaded necklaces. (I think they were called love beads).
Yes indeed! I used to make those necklaces at a place called Lake Eden, just west of Edmonton in Alberta. 1967 is was. Great memories for me. Those that I remember! Haha!
@@brachiator1 And ooooh. Do you remember the rare African Trading beads you sometimes put on a special necklace? I have two or three of those beads still kicking around somewhere. lol
Zal Yanovski lived in Kingston Ontario until his death in 2002. His daughter still lives there and runs the two restaurants he opened there in the 1980’s.
When the comedian Steve Martin was first becoming really popular, and his album had recently been released, a friend of mine got tickets to his show in Portland right before Christmas 1977. We drove down from the Seattle area where my family had just moved to see the show. John Sebastian opened for Steve Martin. Not only did he play this and "Welcome Back" and a few others, but he was actually pretty funny, he was a great opening act, and I really enjoyed the whole show.
Summer of 2020, a group of friends rented an old VW combi van and we toured the pacific beaches of the North island of New Zealand. I had just discovered this song and we blasted it everywhere we went and I tell you, those beach parties rocked- one can only imagine how this went down in the summer of 66. Wow.
John Sebastian (sideburns at the keyboard) grew up around musicians like Burl Ives, Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. I remember at the time Time Magazine (I think it was Time) made quite a deal out of them adding the street sounds to the song. John was friends with Bob Dylan and he currently lives in the Village of Woodstock, NY. Great reaction.
I also grew up in Chicago and one of the neighbor kids on the next block used to play this song with his band in his garage. Everyone used to go over and stand in the alley and listen. Sad note though is that he died in the Vietnam War.
@@leighsaldivar4439 Yes, I grew up on the northwest side in the Harlem/Irving area. On the day of his funeral, everyone on our block and the next put flags on our lawns so his family and friends would see it when they drove his casket past his house on the way to the cemetery. There was even a picture in our local paper.
It was very popular the summer of 1967. The Lovin' Spoonful had other hits, all good! Fun to see you both enjoying the best music ever made!! Thank you!!
They were the Lovn' Spoonful. John Sebastian was the lead singer. He sang the theme song to welcome back kottter. I saw them live 4 times and hold up pretty well. Im in my 70s and they were my favorite band in high school. Listen to Darlin" be home soon - love it and the lyrics. The band was John, Joe butler on drums. Zal Yanowsky on guitar an d Steve Boone in bass. Also loved Rain on the Roof, Nashville Cats, jugband music and more. They had a folk sound and johns voice made then distinct.
What a great song, there were stretches in that era when we were getting a great new song on the radio every single week. We were the most spoiled generation musically in the history of the human race! For another great vibe from that era, try the psychedelic classic I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night by the Electric Prunes. Enjoy! 🎵
They were often on the radio, we listened thru transistor radios in mono, not stereo (I was 14 in 1966) about the size of a large mobile phone but 2" thick. Though tinny by high quality speaker standards, they were our path to hear the Beatles, Beach Boys, Lovin Spoonful and dozens of other groups. Other great Spoonful songs are "Do You Believe In Magic", "Darlin' Be Home Soon" (from a soundtrack album), "You Didn't Have Be So Nice, "Did YOu Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind", "Daydream", "Nashville Cats". You will enjoy them all.
I was 6 years old in 66 so I only remember it from a few years later hearing it on my new transistor radio I got for Christmas in 1969! I have a very sentimental attachment to the 60s and 70s since they were my formative years!
Oh, heck yeah it was popular and on the radio a lot in ‘66. John Sebastian the lead singer on this. Amber, eclectic is correct, John Sebastian could write songs in many genres. The name “Lovin Spoonful” came from an old blues song by Mississippi John Hurt called “Coffee Blues”. Check it out, it’s a very cool track by one of the early blues artists of the 20th century. John Hurt made a bit of a comeback in the 60s as an old man, finally getting his records on modern vinyl with modern production. The Spoonful had a load of hits and great songs, they were very popular in the mid-sixties. Try “Daydream” “Do You Believe in Magic”, “Nashville Cats” or “Darling Be Home Soon”
It's a miracle that John Hurt was rediscovered. I hesitate to say rediscovered because he was never well known before that time. He released 6 singles on Okeh Records when he was 35 years old and none were commercially successful, so he went back home to sharecropping. He only played locally at dances and other events. 35 years later, when he was 70 years old, a musicologist heard a couple of the songs in a Folklore album called Anthology of American Folk Music and tracked him down. He did his first gig in Washington DC, but he really took off after playing the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. By all accounts he was a soft-spoken, polite and loving man, but he could also be impishly mischievous at times. Dave Van Ronk often told a tale of a night when they were together with a bunch of other folksingers at a bar arm-wrestling. At lot of them were big guys. When Mississippi John came into the game, Dave was afraid he might get hurt. Then he watched him put everyone down. John Hurt was in his seventies, a slight man and stood 5'4". Dave, who was built like a lumberjack, stood 6'2' and weighed over 200 pounds, thought they were letting John win. So he went over and tried him, and he wasn't going to let him win. He was totally shocked when John beat him. He thought it thought it had to be a fluke so he said he tried again and again, and John Hurt beat him every time! Sorry if I kind of hijacked your post, but I just love Mississippi John Hurt. So sad that he died only three years after becoming so well known. But what an amazing talent and powerful influence he had on the blues. And what a wonderful legacy he left for us.
Lead Singer is John Sebastian. He's still recording - made an amazing album a few years ago with David Grisman. His vocal chords are blown out but he still has the Vibe. This group was on the Ed Sullivan show at least a few times - you gotta look up Ed Sullivan - it's a real hoot to see such a "square" man hosting all these great '60's rock bands. He brought The Beatles" to American TV. John also hosts a "Folk Revival" show on PBS TV - every fund raising season seems to carry this.
I turned 14 in July of 1966 when this song came out and it was the best. Me and my friends would call our radio station and request it over and over. Then my Mom bought me the 45 and I wore that record out. Thank you for bringing back some of my best memories!
The band name comes from the name of a song by Mississippi John Hurt (now THERE is a great listen!). It means exactly the same thing as "10 cc," which is the name of an awesome 70s group.
Wow, I was 7 years old when this song was popular. It's was always on the radio, John Sebastian is a great singer/songwriter. He was on an episode of Married with children. He and Al Bundy really hit it off!
I was ten when this came out and spent a lot of time at the local public pool that summer.This song played often and for years after was a summer staple of AM radio. You knew it was summer when they put this song into heavy rotation. Takes me back!
I was 2 in 1966. But this song got to number 1 on the charts. So it will have definitely been played a lot! I listen to this song at least 4/5 times a day. My lovely mum has Dimetia, and she will only listen to music (60s & 70s, cos they're the only ones she can still remember). But I don't mind at all, cos mum brought us up listening to all the early stuff like 50s & 60s so I know most of them.
The Lovin' Spoonful (there's no "g" at the end of "Lovin'") were huge for a few years from 1965 to '68 or '69. Their lead singer, John Sebastian, was just a wonderful singer. (He is still around and still performing at age 78.) "Summer In the City" was LS's biggest hit, but several others are definitely worth a listen, especially given your penchant for positivity. Check out "Do You Believe In Magic?" and "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice." Those two songs each kinda go hand-in-hand, as they were the group's first two hit singles (and both are barely over 2 minutes long). I'm surprised you haven't heard "Summer In the City" before, as it's been used in countless commercials, TV shows, and movies. But here are a few somewhat lesser-remembered Lovin' Spoonful songs that were also just flat-out great: "Daydream," "Nashville Cats," "Six O'Clock," "Rain On the Roof," "She Is Still A Mystery," and unquestionably the most beautiful song they ever recorded, most would say their best song, the heartfelt, "Darling Be Home Soon," which, if you listen to it, is sure to instantly become one of your favorite songs, too. There was also a little song that Lovin' Spoonful lead singer John Sebastian wrote but while Lovin' Spoonful recorded it, another group made it a hit. Check out "Younger Girl" by the Hondells. Another group also had a minor hit with it, The Critters, but if you're gotta listen to the Critters, you really gotta hear their biggest hit, and one of my favorite songs of all-time, "Mr. Dieingly Sad." Just a beautiful, beautiful song. You are now swimming in the deep end of the '60s pool and are learning about some of the most-loved music of Amber's favorite people -- us hippies of the '60s and '70s. :-)
“Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck gettin’ dirty and gritty.” This has been on tons of commercials and ads, etc. Some songs, I’m surprised you guys don’t recognize. Even so, love this one!❤️
Going along with you about the trend to use old songs in commercial ads, there is a certain medication advertisement that makes me laugh because the song the use is “Psychotic Reaction”. 🤣
You have no idea how popular it was ,the happy-go-lucky sound of John Sebastion, he was sheer ornery. We loved them . This was 2 yes if their happy catchy songs that you heard everywhere. So many good memories with their songs.
This music is my era, and, yes, we did have fun! I remember being in a park, me and my girlfriends, and, hearing, what we thought were The Temptations singing "My Girl" on a radio. We turned around to find four young guys singing the song to us. OMG, they were so good. It's a memory I'm sure all of my friends hold dear to this day. I know I do.
The band name is from a repeating line in the song Coffee Blues by Mississippi John Hurt. Yeah; summer of ‘66, that was the coolest song on the AM airwaves. I was 10, living in the city (Chicago) and I was enchanted by balmy summer nights. I would listen to that song and think about how cool it will be when I’m old enough to stay out all night on a summer night in the city.
"Cool cat looking for a kitty." This song was at the top of the charts when I was born. Lovin' Spoonful is in the RRHOF. Love the inclusion of "street noise." I would also recommend The Jaggerz, The Rapper, from the same era (1970).
Another great one is from the summer of 1963, The Tymes "So Much In Love". It's a love song that brings back memories of going down the Jersey shore, holding hands, walking in the sand after dark. Such an innocent time. Love your channel .
Yes, it was a hit. Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind.....You Didn't Have To Be So Nice..... Daydream....The Younger Girl.....Do You Believe In Magic All big hits.
The Lovin' Spoonful. What a band, saw them several times, John Sebastion was such a nice guy. "Summer in the City" is probably my most played Spoonful track. But my favourite is "What a Day for a Daydream”
You're right. This was a real popular song when it came out. It was always on the radio. I was a kid, and my older cousin let me tag along with her and her friends. THis song was a big part of the scene back in the day!
This song played all summer long on our transistor radios. Anywhere there was a radio, you heard it, in cars, at the beach, and out windows as you walked by houses.
Please react to “Creeque Alley” by the Mamas & Papas. They kinda go into the formation of not only The Mamas & Papas but also touch on The Lovin’ Spoonful as they were all part of the Greenwich Village folk scene before these two bands formed. They also mention the Byrds in that song too. It’s just another fun 60s song you’ll both love.
Brings back a lot of memories. Yep, very popular - even more so was "Do You Believe in Magic?". Lead is John Sebastian. Lovin' Spoonful is taken from a song by Mississippi John Hurt's song, "Coffee Blues", in which he extolled the magic of just a "lovin' spoonful" of Maxhouse Coffee. This was all considered "Jug Band" music - a sub-genre of blues.
"Summer in the City" was #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks in late summer/early fall 1966. It was the 5th of 7 straight Top 10 singles released between 1965 and 1966. 7 more singles charted Top 100 up to early 1969. The lead singer is John Sebastian who had a #1 single in 1976 with "Welcome Back" the theme from TV sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter."
I love how a big smile instantly comes to Amber's face. That's what so much of 60's music does to you.
69 yrs. Old still love this summer song. 😎
Dosn't get old ..
Back then we had the "AM Transistor Radio" that we held in the palm of our hand. It was powered by a nine-volt battery and had an earpiece to it too. I was twelve years old back in 1966...Now I'm 68 years old and a senior citizen. Watching today's youth reacting to what I consider the greatest decade in Rock & Roll music history the 60's. Awesome!
Yesserie I collect these radios, they’re often works of art . A cheaper hobby that fulfills a “reminisce”need of mine. And older tube radios sound awesome after making them Bluetooth capable.
Yep, or hanging from your rear view mirror.
I just turned 68, and this song makes me happy; it's full of joy and sparkle.
@@gl15col Were both the same age and remember how great it was being young during the 60's. We had the best music back then.
@@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052 I never looked at it like that. Now that I think about it...They truly were a piece of art.
I'm 8, my father spent the week ends on the golf course. The golf course opened a swimming pool for families to build memberships. There was a small shop that sold snacks/drinks/hamburgers. During swim breaks we would go get ice cold Coke (bottle) from a "Coca cola" vending machine. All the chocolate bars were kept in a freezer to keep them from melting. My go to was Butterfinger bar. On the juke box inside the music was sent out to the pool through a megaphone like speaker. This is just one of the songs that instantly take me there even today at 63. I can still smell the chlorine from the pool. Other tunes were "Green River" from CCR, "Light My Fire" the Doors, Ride Captain Ride" Blues Image among many more. The first playlist I ever created were the songs from spending days at the pool. It's the first of many. I never mustered the courage to dive from the tall diving board. About 20 feet high! I think my first crush happened there a few years later when I begin to notice girls could be more than a sister( I had two) That golf course is no longer, the pool was closed long before that. The land the golf course set on was recently sold. It is currently becoming a new residential area in Wichita Falls, Texas. It began as Skyline then went through some name changes La Vista/Hawk Ridge before the drought was to much for the owners to overcome. But I still go there when I hear one of those songs. Lovin Spoonful thanks for the memories!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Summer in the City" was released in July of 1966 and was a number one hit for the Spoonful. John Sebastion sang lead. Try "Darlin' Be Home Soon" and "Do You Believe in Magic?" by them.
He had a hit with the theme to Welcome Back Kotter too.
@@vincentschmitt7597 Love that song and the show.
I met Brother John on August 15th, 1986. Who can guess the occasion?
Do You Believe in Magic has that happy, peppy feel you would like, Amber!
"Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind."
Isn't it amazing when you realize you haven't heard a song in yeeears yet you remember every note of the beat and every word love it!!!!!!
True story I haven’t heard this on forever and I remembered every single word!
Yes it is. Happens all the time.
Lead singer is John Sebastian. This was a huge hit in the sixties. Other songs to check out by them are:
Do You Believe In Magic (biggest hit)
Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind
Daydream
Jug Band Music
Nashville Cats.
Yes, "Did You Ever Have to...." & "Nashville Cats" are fun songs by them.
John Sabastian has written many Disney songs.✌🏼
Great songs, but actually this was their greatest hit (Summer in the City). "Daydream", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" and "Nashville Cats" were also all bigger hits than "Do You Believe In Magic". But it might have stuck in your mind because it was their very first big hit (#9 on the charts).
@@ptournas thank you. I stand corrected.
@@SK-lk3iu - Bald Headed Lena.
The Lovin' Spoonful was one of my favorite groups. I am 70 years old and John Sebastian was a great musician. He played keyboards, guitar and autoharp.
Right on. One of my fave bands too. I was 17 that year. I play one so it's a fun rock trivia Q: What's the only rock band to use an autoharp? You can hear it best on the chorus. And also strong on "Do You Believe in Magic".
So many GREAT songs from The Lovin' Spoonful. "Darling be Home Soon", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind", "Do You Believe in Magic" so many... Another similar group would be Spanky and Our Gang.
John Sebastian, not only great tunes, but briliant wordsmith.
Yes, John Sebastian , great singer too !!
All of those are great songs.
Sunday Will Never Be The Same 🥰 Spanky great song.
We had record player!! With two speakers!!! Yeah man, they were Nice! We had LP's. We had The Beetles, The Monkeys, GREATEST hits mixes- they'd advertise on TV. I had Tom Jones, Billy Paul, Isaac Hayes, The Supremes greatest hits - you got 3 LP's then after the 70's I had stacks of LP's and 45's. MJ was my first 45- I WANT YOU BACK!
I so remember this group and this tune! Hope you check out their tune 'Do You Believe In Magic '. Thanks Amber and Jay
Do You Believe in Magic" and "Darling Be Home Soon" are their other classics but this was their only #1 hit.
Another great song by LS is "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" Summer in the City played over and over at the swimming pool for years. John Sebatian on keyboard has written a long list of hit songs. One song many are familiar with is the theme song to Welcome Back Kotter
The Loving Spoonful were like a shooting star, they burnt bright for a few years and left their mark on the landscape of 60s Rock. Many great singles. 👍
They were close friends with the Mamas and the Papas. ✌
The POT bust doomed the band, which robbed us of a Great Band
The Spoonful were absolutely fantastic. I loved them then and still do. I was a ten year old the summer this hit the AM airwaves in 1966 and it’s one of my top three summer tunes of all time. Still have the single on Kama Sutra records.
They dont make songs like this one any more so sad. Abel
From australia.
@@resurrectionwaiting9294 John got busted for pot possession and was threatened with being deported back to his native Canada. He ended up turning in his band mates, and that was the end of the Spoonful.
So many great hits.. Think on the national charts except for this one which was a number 1 song, they had 4 number 2 hits .. in the rock n roll hall of fame.. go with what others have mentioned to play next.. can't go wrong.. btw.. John Sebastian the lead singer went solo, was at Woodstock & I guess is most famous for the title song to the 70's sitcom, Welcome Back Kotter, (Welcome Back) ..wonderful reaction to a 60's blast..
"What A Day For A Daydream." You gotta do that Lovin' Spoonful tune.
Great Song. 🎵 it's crazy that it was a hit nearly 56 years ago & yet it is still timeless. 🥰🥰🥰 John Sebastian's soulful voice....wow!
John Sebastian is such a musical talent. I was but a baby when this song was originally released so couldn't exactly grab a girl and go dancing out in the city all night,but my mum introduced me to this group in the 70s by playing the greatest hits album of theirs she had.
You need to check out their tune “What a Day for a Daydream”. It really has a lazy summer day vibe. John Sebastian has the best voice and writes amazing tunes.
Also the music device of the day was a transistor radio.
...what she said! 👍
It’s just called “Daydream” 😊
Or a car AM radio.😊
I was thinking Daydream but there are so many songs of theirs I've a soft spot for. Do You Believe in Magic?,Nashville Cats,even You're a Big Boy Now,Six O'Clock and Darling Be Home Soon.
Listen to You Didn't Have To Be So Nice soon. Everything they did was good! I had a crush on John Sebastian and was lucky enough to meet him a few times, in my 50s and 60s though. Real nice guy, still tours.
"Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" is another good one.
@Dave Oplinger, thanks I was looking for this one; a little quirky but that's how I like them. I was 12 in 1966 what a great time to be alive for the best music ever 60-70s!! 😎😎😎😎
“…You better go home son and make up your mind…”. LOL
@@rayniecox7683 @Ted Cole @B Gallagher - you guys should loo up the recent version of John performing it with The Mona Lisa Twins!
@@rayniecox7683 - I was 8, I remember it well!
Indeed. Had the experience; that song really sang to me.
This song always reminds me of the summer of 66.We just moved to Miami Beach,I was 9 yrs old but have three older brothers and this song was playing all summer long on the car radio and brings me right back to that summer, the beaches ,our new house and the hotels on the beach ,I think this song will always stick in my mind , I still have my 45 record of that song.
Now you need to listen to “Did you ever have to make up your mind”, “Do you believe in Magic” and “You didn’t have to be so nice”.
1966, I was eleven and this was my favorite song that whole summer. Great song!!! 👍❤🤙
The lyrics differ from most songs about the summer by lamenting the heat, contrasting the unpleasant warmth and noise of the daytime with the relief offered by the cool night, which allows for the nightlife to begin. I was only a year old when it came out but my dad loved this band
Lead singer John Sebastian also had a huge hit as a solo artist with the theme from the 70's sitcom Welcome Back Kotter starting John Travolta. He has such a sweet voice...great band !!
😎🙏❤🇨🇦
radio, record player, that was our choices 🥰
I was nine years old during the summer of 1966 and that song was all over the radio. That’s Jon B. Sebastian playing keyboards Jon B. Sebastian was at Woodstock he sang a song called “ I’ll Paint Rainbows all over your Blues” which is one of my favorite songs you have to check out from the Woodstock album… John B Sebastian is the man! He even did an episode of Married with Children!! Lol .. love you guys keep up the great work!
♥Yes I was around, and yes some beautiful memories of my teenage years. I'm so glad y'all got around to the Lovin' Spoonful. John Sebastian is the singer. Other songs are "Do You Believe In Magic", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?", "Daydream", and "Nashville Cats". Love you guys! ♥
This song brought back a lot of childhood memories! The lead singer's name is John Sebastian, and the band's name was inspired by some lines in a song of Mississippi John Hurt called the "Coffee Blues". Also, you might find it interesting that although the Lovin' Spoonful was not scheduled to play at Woodstock, John Sebastian (lead singer/keyboards) made a solo impromptu (accidental) appearance at the 1969 Woodstock festival. He was there as part of the audience and recognized in the crowd, so they gave him an acoustic guitar, and he played 3 songs. The audience was very familiar with who he was and that he was the founding member of the Lovin' Spoonful, so they were pleasantly surprised. Thanks for this reaction! ;-)
I love learning something cool like this, even at my advanc(ing) age!
In a coffee house Sebastian sat
And after every number they'd pass the hat
McGuinn and McGuire just a-gettin' higher in L.A.,
You know where that's at...
(Special internet points for whomever can finish the verse without cheating)
@@EW-ty6qw - Creeque Alley. "And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass." I knew the lyrics, but for some reason, I couldn't think of the song. So I did cheat a little. ✌💙✌
@@EW-ty6qw And no one's getting FAT cept Mama Cass! lol
Sorry to get in late of this subject but just a pleasure to see someone mention Mississippi John Hurt. His story in itself is worth telling.
As summer gets closer, you should check out Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft. Absolutely gorgeous song, it just is the epitome of summer to me.
Absolutely! They would love Seals and Croft!
Another Summer song, they should play is Summer by War.
Summer Breeze is an ultimate chill song. Great duo.
And when the summer comes to a close Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy an equally gorgeous song where the summer comes to a close and all those things we miss when it does
A good one for the decade. Don’t forget Hot Fun In The Summertime.
Love, Love, Love the Lovin’ Spoonful! The mid to late 60’s had some of the BEST 60’s music! The LA sound was really there. John Sebastian was awesome. He performed at Woodstock, by the way. 1966…I was a teen. And we had trasister radios. Radio DJ’s were everything to us!
John Sebastian, the lead singer, is a great songwriter and his songs have been covered by many other artists. He also wrote and performed the theme song from the 1970s sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter," which launched the career of John Travolta.
I never knew he sang that song. One of my favorite TV theme songs!
ya know.......youtube is the best! You just schooled me and for that I thank you! Had NO idea John Sebastian did Welcome Back Kotter theme song. WOW!
Nice trivia!
I did not know this!
Ah yes, the "sweathogs:" Vinnie Barbarino (Travolta), Horshack, among others. And Mr. Kotter always bringing up potato knishes. Oy veh!
The Lovin' Spoonful had so many wonderful songs. These guys and the Turtles were both a great band and had similar sounds and lots of records, ALL GOOD! I want to hear them all!
My favorite song from the Lovin' Spoonful. This is from 1966. Other songs to check out by them is "She's Still a Mystery to Me" and "Darlin Be Home Soon. The lead singer is John Sebastian who also recorded "Welcome Back Kotter" from the TV show. This was a monster hit in the day.
Deep breath............ I was 9! Loved this song! So fortunate to grow up with such wonderful music. There was a small family owned beach not far from me. Campground, pavilion (with jukebox), snack bar, boat ramp. We were friends with the family. Folks used to leave me there for a couple of weeks in the summer. Their daughter was the same age. We used to go to the pavilion at night, fire up the jukebox, dance in the cool, soft dirt. Wonderful memories!
John Sebastian is the lead singer. This was definitely 1966, *before* the hippie thing really got going. Everybody listened to this and everything on their AM transistor radios, full blast. And this was on the air all the time. They were so cool.
I got a transistor radio in '68, and I remember this song was still regularly played - it was really popular.
LOL, yeah, 1967 was definitely peak hippie. The summer of love.♥️🌿
In 1966 the hippie thing was already going in California.
@@sexysadie2901 yes, ‘66 it was still cool and developing. Streets of Wisconsin, it was still a dream.!
Great band and I was lucky enough to see them perform live in 1967..
Hey guys. LOL Jay. They were transistor radios dude. Juke boxes are those huge record machines in diners and bars. That was John Sebastian singing this song. John wrote and sang lead on most of their songs the first few years. John had grown up in The Village in NYC. His dad was a harmonica player, and John grew up around musicians. The lead guitar was taken from a folky group that included Mama Cass. In fact in the Mamas and Papas song Creeque Alley (you should do that one if you haven't yet btw), they mention The Spoonful. I don't know if you guys have ever seen old reruns or heard about a show called Welcome Back Kotter, but the theme song was written and sung by John Sebastian. Man I miss the 60s. LOL. Summer music was big back in the day. Under the boardwalk, Up on the roof, or of course anything by the Beach Boys. For more Spoonful, try You didn't have to be so nice, or Do you believe in magic, or did you ever have to make up your mind.
do`nt forget the ear phones [ not ear buds] for the hand held trans. radio
I was a teenager and Amber you were right. This is one of those gems from that time. The Lovin' Spoonful were part of that number of folk rock groups that were around at the time and had big hits. Try the songs "Rain On the Roof" or "Do You believe in Magic." The lead singer is John Sebastion and he sang at Woodstock as a single performer. Other groups that were huge like the Spoonful at the time were the Byrds, The Turtles, and The Association. This last group is one Amber that I think you'd like. Their big hits were "Cherish", and especially "Windy." Thank you for sharing. It's nice to see you appreciate what a unique time the 1960s were. Folks such as myself have tried to live with peace and love in our hearts.
John Sebastian and Zal ( "Zally") Yanovsky from the Spoonful were folkies who were acquainted with members of the Mamas and the Papas before both bands made it big. Sebastian and Zally are name-checked in the Mamas and Papas song Creeque Alley.
Yes this song was popular not only in the 60s but also pretty much every decades since: well preserved on oldies radio. These guys had a ton of hits.Funny songs, standard pop songs, and Ballads too.
In July 1966 I was due to go into hospital for an operation - I was aged ten , and got a new transistor radio for my birthday the month before. BBC radio was awful with hardly any pop music , but there was a pirate radio station called Radio Scotland which came from a boat offshore. They played nothing but pop and about once an hour my favourite record got played - Ike and Tina Turner ( just Tina on the record though ) - " River Deep , Mountain High" . It got me through my hospital visit ! You haven't lived until you've heard it Amber !
YES! I AGREE!! 👍😃❣️
I graduated high school in 66. That summer was full of great hits. "Do You Believe In Magic" and "Younger Girl". John Sebastián was the lead singer, probably still singing.
"You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" is the one you wanted, although "Summer in the City" is worth a listen.
One thing that makes this song work is the switch between minor and major modes. It starts in minor as the lyrics refer to the oppressive heat of the daytime, but then switches to major when the lyrics refer to the cooler nighttime.
The lead singer is John Sebastian. He had a solo hit with the theme song to Welcome Back, Kotter in 1976.
Lead-singer John Sebastian also went on in the mid-70's to record the theme for the hit TV series - Welcome Back Kotter about an inner city teacher. The show also began John Travolta's career. A great upbeat hippie-vibe song the Lovin' Spoonful had was - Do You Believe In Magic. Amber'll love it! Jordan'll dig the chorus energy too.
I wasn't born till 1970 but thru my early years it was very much a current song and by the time I was a teen in the 80s it was one of those 60s classics everybody still loved. So it was an ever present familiar song throughout my youth.
I love The Lovin' Spoonful and especially "Summer in the City." Other memorable songs from that time are “Pied Piper” by Crispian St. Peters, “Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks, and “Black is Black” by Los Bravos.
Love “Black is Black”. And "Bernadette". And anything by The Turtles and the Hollies.
Jangle, you mentioned the Los Bravos. I'll bet you didn't know that they had a real good song in '68 named 'Bring A Little Lovin'.
All of those are wonderful! Thanks for the reminders that these songs exist, it's been years.
@@maureencollins5177 If you check out Rob Squad's Reaction to The Turtles song 'Happy Together' from two weeks ago you'll find my big list of Turtle songs
that you may not be familiar with. Enjoy!
And "Walk Away Renee" by The Left Banke.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC--Great song by the Lovin’ Spoonfuls!
This song was a big hit in Canada. I remember laying on the beach and watching the hippies making beaded necklaces. (I think they were called love beads).
Yes indeed! I used to make those necklaces at a place called Lake Eden, just west of Edmonton in Alberta. 1967 is was. Great memories for me. Those that I remember! Haha!
Love beads. Have not heard a reference to this in years.
@@brachiator1 And ooooh. Do you remember the rare African Trading beads you sometimes put on a special necklace? I have two or three of those beads still kicking around somewhere. lol
Zal Yanovski lived in Kingston Ontario until his death in 2002. His daughter still lives there and runs the two restaurants he opened there in the 1980’s.
When the comedian Steve Martin was first becoming really popular, and his album had recently been released, a friend of mine got tickets to his show in Portland right before Christmas 1977. We drove down from the Seattle area where my family had just moved to see the show. John Sebastian opened for Steve Martin. Not only did he play this and "Welcome Back" and a few others, but he was actually pretty funny, he was a great opening act, and I really enjoyed the whole show.
"Darling Be Home Soon" and "Do You Believe in Magic?" are two to check out.
Once again how fun was the music of this age. God I loved growing up in the 60's and 70's.
Please check out Paul Revere and the Raiders. All their songs are fun. 60’s
The Raiders are the best!! ❤️🎶
Jordan would love Indian Reservation
“Kicks”...”Just Like Me”...and so many more!!
They had a music show with many great groups called Where The Action Is.
Omg please. How about the Partridge Family?
Summer of 2020, a group of friends rented an old VW combi van and we toured the pacific beaches of the North island of New Zealand. I had just discovered this song and we blasted it everywhere we went and I tell you, those beach parties rocked- one can only imagine how this went down in the summer of 66. Wow.
John Sebastian (sideburns at the keyboard) grew up around musicians like Burl Ives, Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. I remember at the time Time Magazine (I think it was Time) made quite a deal out of them adding the street sounds to the song. John was friends with Bob Dylan and he currently lives in the Village of Woodstock, NY. Great reaction.
I was lucky to grow up in the time of bands like the Spoonful. So many great talented artists.
I loved this song growing up! My uncle used to play this in his band back in Chicago in the 60s
same here , happy memories
I also grew up in Chicago and one of the neighbor kids on the next block used to play this song with his band in his garage. Everyone used to go over and stand in the alley and listen.
Sad note though is that he died in the Vietnam War.
@@donnakubiski5572 oh that’s sad. Did you grow up in the city? My fiancée passed away recently and he grew up in the city. He was polish German.
@@leighsaldivar4439 Yes, I grew up on the northwest side in the Harlem/Irving area. On the day of his funeral, everyone on our block and the next put flags on our lawns so his family and friends would see it when they drove his casket past his house on the way to the cemetery. There was even a picture in our local paper.
@@donnakubiski5572 that’s awesome. I wish people showed that much respect today.
It was very popular the summer of 1967. The Lovin' Spoonful had other hits, all good! Fun to see you both enjoying the best music ever made!! Thank you!!
They were the Lovn' Spoonful. John Sebastian was the lead singer. He sang the theme song to welcome back kottter. I saw them live 4 times and hold up pretty well. Im in my 70s and they were my favorite band in high school. Listen to Darlin" be home soon - love it and the lyrics. The band was John, Joe butler on drums. Zal Yanowsky on guitar an d Steve Boone in bass. Also loved Rain on the Roof, Nashville Cats, jugband music and more. They had a folk sound and johns voice made then distinct.
A new generation was changing the world thru music..................
What a great song, there were stretches in that era when we were getting a great new song on the radio every single week. We were the most spoiled generation musically in the history of the human race! For another great vibe from that era, try the psychedelic classic I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night by the Electric Prunes. Enjoy! 🎵
I TOTALLY agree, Vic.
TRUST ME On This MUST HEAR Feel Good Smooth Groove Classic,,
The Blackbyrds "Walking In Rhythm"
"Kool Kat lookin' for a kitty, goin' look in every corner of the city!" This song saturated AM radio all summer in '66.
They were often on the radio, we listened thru transistor radios in mono, not stereo (I was 14 in 1966) about the size of a large mobile phone but 2" thick. Though tinny by high quality speaker standards, they were our path to hear the Beatles, Beach Boys, Lovin Spoonful and dozens of other groups. Other great Spoonful songs are "Do You Believe In Magic", "Darlin' Be Home Soon" (from a soundtrack album), "You Didn't Have Be So Nice, "Did YOu Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind", "Daydream", "Nashville Cats". You will enjoy them all.
Recommend Loving Spoonful "Do You Believe in Magic" Summer in the City is played every summer.
I was 6 years old in 66 so I only remember it from a few years later hearing it on my new transistor radio I got for Christmas in 1969! I have a very sentimental attachment to the 60s and 70s since they were my formative years!
Oh, heck yeah it was popular and on the radio a lot in ‘66. John Sebastian the lead singer on this. Amber, eclectic is correct, John Sebastian could write songs in many genres. The name “Lovin Spoonful” came from an old blues song by Mississippi John Hurt called “Coffee Blues”. Check it out, it’s a very cool track by one of the early blues artists of the 20th century. John Hurt made a bit of a comeback in the 60s as an old man, finally getting his records on modern vinyl with modern production. The Spoonful had a load of hits and great songs, they were very popular in the mid-sixties. Try “Daydream” “Do You Believe in Magic”, “Nashville Cats” or “Darling Be Home Soon”
It's a miracle that John Hurt was rediscovered. I hesitate to say rediscovered because he was never well known before that time. He released 6 singles on Okeh Records when he was 35 years old and none were commercially successful, so he went back home to sharecropping. He only played locally at dances and other events. 35 years later, when he was 70 years old, a musicologist heard a couple of the songs in a Folklore album called Anthology of American Folk Music and tracked him down.
He did his first gig in Washington DC, but he really took off after playing the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. By all accounts he was a soft-spoken, polite and loving man, but he could also be impishly mischievous at times. Dave Van Ronk often told a tale of a night when they were together with a bunch of other folksingers at a bar arm-wrestling. At lot of them were big guys. When Mississippi John came into the game, Dave was afraid he might get hurt. Then he watched him put everyone down. John Hurt was in his seventies, a slight man and stood 5'4". Dave, who was built like a lumberjack, stood 6'2' and weighed over 200 pounds, thought they were letting John win. So he went over and tried him, and he wasn't going to let him win. He was totally shocked when John beat him. He thought it thought it had to be a fluke so he said he tried again and again, and John Hurt beat him every time!
Sorry if I kind of hijacked your post, but I just love Mississippi John Hurt. So sad that he died only three years after becoming so well known. But what an amazing talent and powerful influence he had on the blues. And what a wonderful legacy he left for us.
@@ptournas not at all, thanks so much for that wonderful story of John Hurt. Amazing!!
Lead Singer is John Sebastian. He's still recording - made an amazing album a few years ago with David Grisman. His vocal chords are blown out but he still has the Vibe. This group was on the Ed Sullivan show at least a few times - you gotta look up Ed Sullivan - it's a real hoot to see such a "square" man hosting all these great '60's rock bands. He brought The Beatles" to American TV. John also hosts a "Folk Revival" show on PBS TV - every fund raising season seems to carry this.
Another great song. I remember this being played often during the summer in the 80's
That’s also when I remember it from. It’s just one of those songs that are fun to sing along with.
@@lordessducky8494 yup! The radio played it often, and often when it was hot out lol.
I turned 14 in July of 1966 when this song came out and it was the best. Me and my friends would call our radio station and request it over and over. Then my Mom bought me the 45 and I wore that record out. Thank you for bringing back some of my best memories!
The band name comes from the name of a song by Mississippi John Hurt (now THERE is a great listen!). It means exactly the same thing as "10 cc," which is the name of an awesome 70s group.
I wonder what they would make of Mr. Hurt? He was the most adorable bluesman of all time. Imo
@@douglaswaite9574 I love John Hurt. Definitely a lovable guy. Gotta have that Maxell House.
Love those Library of Congress recordings. Like somebody’s grandpa belting out amazing blues classics. Incredible technique as well.
Wow, I was 7 years old when this song was popular. It's was always on the radio, John Sebastian is a great singer/songwriter. He was on an episode of Married with children. He and Al Bundy really hit it off!
I was ten when this came out and spent a lot of time at the local public pool that summer.This song played often and for years after was a summer staple of AM radio. You knew it was summer when they put this song into heavy rotation. Takes me back!
I was 2 in 1966. But this song got to number 1 on the charts. So it will have definitely been played a lot!
I listen to this song at least 4/5 times a day. My lovely mum has Dimetia, and she will only listen to music (60s & 70s, cos they're the only ones she can still remember). But I don't mind at all, cos mum brought us up listening to all the early stuff like 50s & 60s so I know most of them.
The Lovin' Spoonful (there's no "g" at the end of "Lovin'") were huge for a few years from 1965 to '68 or '69. Their lead singer, John Sebastian, was just a wonderful singer. (He is still around and still performing at age 78.) "Summer In the City" was LS's biggest hit, but several others are definitely worth a listen, especially given your penchant for positivity. Check out "Do You Believe In Magic?" and "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice." Those two songs each kinda go hand-in-hand, as they were the group's first two hit singles (and both are barely over 2 minutes long). I'm surprised you haven't heard "Summer In the City" before, as it's been used in countless commercials, TV shows, and movies. But here are a few somewhat lesser-remembered Lovin' Spoonful songs that were also just flat-out great: "Daydream," "Nashville Cats," "Six O'Clock," "Rain On the Roof," "She Is Still A Mystery," and unquestionably the most beautiful song they ever recorded, most would say their best song, the heartfelt, "Darling Be Home Soon," which, if you listen to it, is sure to instantly become one of your favorite songs, too.
There was also a little song that Lovin' Spoonful lead singer John Sebastian wrote but while Lovin' Spoonful recorded it, another group made it a hit. Check out "Younger Girl" by the Hondells. Another group also had a minor hit with it, The Critters, but if you're gotta listen to the Critters, you really gotta hear their biggest hit, and one of my favorite songs of all-time, "Mr. Dieingly Sad." Just a beautiful, beautiful song.
You are now swimming in the deep end of the '60s pool and are learning about some of the most-loved music of Amber's favorite people -- us hippies of the '60s and '70s. :-)
Yes, it was a great summer song. Brings back a lot of memories.
“Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck gettin’ dirty and gritty.” This has been on tons of commercials and ads, etc. Some songs, I’m surprised you guys don’t recognize. Even so, love this one!❤️
Sing it baby summer is getting closer get to be outside smell the warm air birds singing fresh cut grass sun shining and going for a walk ☮️
Going along with you about the trend to use old songs in commercial ads, there is a certain medication advertisement that makes me laugh because the song the use is “Psychotic Reaction”. 🤣
Not to mention movies, starting with "Die Hard 3".
@@richarddexter7641 mmm I do remember this song being in that movie
You have no idea how popular it was ,the happy-go-lucky sound of John Sebastion, he was sheer ornery. We loved them . This was 2 yes if their happy catchy songs that you heard everywhere. So many good memories with their songs.
This music is my era, and, yes, we did have fun! I remember being in a park, me and my girlfriends, and, hearing, what we thought were The Temptations singing "My Girl" on a radio. We turned around to find four young guys singing the song to us. OMG, they were so good. It's a memory I'm sure all of my friends hold dear to this day. I know I do.
Thanks for sharing you memory.
The band name is from a repeating line in the song Coffee Blues by Mississippi John Hurt. Yeah; summer of ‘66, that was the coolest song on the AM airwaves. I was 10, living in the city (Chicago) and I was enchanted by balmy summer nights. I would listen to that song and think about how cool it will be when I’m old enough to stay out all night on a summer night in the city.
"Cool cat looking for a kitty." This song was at the top of the charts when I was born. Lovin' Spoonful is in the RRHOF. Love the inclusion of "street noise." I would also recommend The Jaggerz, The Rapper, from the same era (1970).
Yes I was 6 when this song came out. Great song 👍 it was played all the time. Classic ❤ these guys were great 👍
You guy’s are on roll this evening , you made me smile 😊
Another great one is from the summer of 1963, The Tymes "So Much In Love". It's a love song that brings back memories of going down the Jersey shore, holding hands, walking in the sand after dark. Such an innocent time. Love your channel .
You need to listen to Do You Believe In Magic. That’s another good song of theirs
Yes, it was a hit.
Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind.....You Didn't Have To Be So Nice.....
Daydream....The Younger Girl.....Do You Believe In Magic
All big hits.
The Lovin' Spoonful. What a band, saw them several times, John Sebastion was such a nice guy. "Summer in the City" is probably my most played Spoonful track. But my favourite is "What a Day for a Daydream”
Another great summer vibe song is Dancing in the Streets by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. These could be companion songs.
Wow, the Loving Spoonful, the Rascals, and the Turtles were all popular during this time. They all had great songs.
You're right. This was a real popular song when it came out. It was always on the radio. I was a kid, and my older cousin let me tag along with her and her friends. THis song was a big part of the scene back in the day!
Typical summer song! I can't explain it but every summer song doesn't age! It feels just as great today!
This song played all summer long on our transistor radios. Anywhere there was a radio, you heard it, in cars, at the beach, and out windows as you walked by houses.
Please react to “Creeque Alley” by the Mamas & Papas. They kinda go into the formation of not only The Mamas & Papas but also touch on The Lovin’ Spoonful as they were all part of the Greenwich Village folk scene before these two bands formed. They also mention the Byrds in that song too. It’s just another fun 60s song you’ll both love.
Brings back a lot of memories. Yep, very popular - even more so was "Do You Believe in Magic?". Lead is John Sebastian. Lovin' Spoonful is taken from a song by Mississippi John Hurt's song, "Coffee Blues", in which he extolled the magic of just a "lovin' spoonful" of Maxhouse Coffee. This was all considered "Jug Band" music - a sub-genre of blues.
John Sebastian (lead singer) would go on to a successful solo career. Best known for the theme to Welcome Back Kotter
yup!
During the summer of '66 this song was huge down at Myrtle Beach, SC. It was playing everywhere on the beach! Great memories!
"Summer in the City" was #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks in late summer/early fall 1966. It was the 5th of 7 straight Top 10 singles released between 1965 and 1966. 7 more singles charted Top 100 up to early 1969. The lead singer is John Sebastian who had a #1 single in 1976 with "Welcome Back" the theme from TV sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter."
I grew up listening to this stuff tnx to my dad RIP. Always loved this song, such a super summer vibe
Hi guys, love your site. If you’ve not listened to them, can I recommend The Chords singing “Sh-boom” (released in 1954)?.
Oh yeah!! The best version of that song, too!
Great tune, I was 2 years old when this came out in 66 but I remember it being played regularly on the radio in the late 60s and early 70s.