Summer is winding down … or so they say, though you couldn’t prove it by me, for it’s been hovering around the 90° mark here for days now. But, since soon enough we will be seeing the leaves don their autumn colours, smell the autumn smells, and already the Hallowe’en candy and decorations have filled the stores … I thought a nice summer song would be appropos tonight. I dug through my list of TBP songs (to be played), and came up with this one …
Summer Breeze is one of those songs that has been recorded by two artists I like, very different sounding versions, yet I like them both. Just depends, I think, on my mood of the moment which I prefer on a given day.
The more popular version in the U.S. was that by the writers of the song, Seals & Crofts, as in James Eugene “Jim” Seals and Darrell George “Dash” Crofts. Released in 1972, this was their first hit single. According to Seals, this was …
“A very simple song about a man coming home from work and hearing the dog barking and things like that, and to a lot of people the song’s about looking for security. Our meaning goes further than that, for a prison can be the prison of self and a person can become insecure and paranoid if he doesn’t have a direction in his personal life. We operate on a different level, we try to create images, impressions and trains of thought in the minds of our listeners.”
One thing I did not know about Seals and Crofts is that Jim Seals is the brother of Dan Seals, who was “England Dan” in the duo England Dan and John Ford Coley.
Two years later, the Isley Brothers recorded their version which is more … um … sultry? More like soul music, I think. The Isleys’ version is notable not only for the harmonies of the three vocal Isleys, O’Kelly, Rudolph and lead singer Ronald but also for the guitar solo by younger brother Ernie. The Isleys’ version did better in the UK than in the U.S., though I’m not quite sure why.
Summer Breeze
Seals & Crofts
See the curtains hangin’ in the window, in the evenin’ on a Friday night
A little light a-shinin’ through the window, lets me know everything is alright
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind
See the paper layin’ in the sidewalk, a little music from the house next door
So I walked on up to the doorstep, through the screen and across the floor
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Sweet days of summer, the jasmine’s in bloom
July is dressed up and playing her tune
And I come home from a hard day’s work
And you’re waiting there, not a care in the world
See the smile a-waitin’ in the kitchen, food cookin’ and the plates for two
Feel the arms that reach out to hold me, in the evening when the day is through
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Songwriters: Darrell Crofts / Jimmy Seals
Summer Breeze lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Universal Music Publishing Group
Sheila loves this one!
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Oh, I love this song. Please send some of your heat my way. Our temps dropped off quickly. Not ready for summer to end yet!
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My air-conditioning has been out for 9 days now, and with my asthma, I am ready to send you ALL our heat! I saw a picture of a snowy slope in Austria earlier today, and found myself drooling over it! 😉
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We don’t have AC. Normally we can survive 5 or so days of temps in the 90’s, but this summer was packed with those days. I feel for you with your asthma!
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Typically it is the same here … rarely more than 5-10 days of temps in the 90s, and several years it never got into the 90s. But … we have very high humidity because of our proximity to the Ohio River, the dirtiest in the nation, so without the a/c, the air is like trying to breath soup.
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Ugh!
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I never knew that the Isley Brothers recorded this song and had never heard their version before, even though I have liked a number of their other recordings. I’ve always enjoyed the mellow sounds and harmonies of Seals and Crofts. Thanks for sharing both versions.
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My pleasure! Different styles appeal to different people, and I enjoy playing these immensely! It’s my last thing before I go to bed … kind of wind down from the political mess so it doesn’t give me nightmares. 😉
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I go for the Isleys, though I never heard this one before that I can remember. The Isley Brothers were never what you would call commercial. Like the Neville Brothers, the Chambers Brothers, and a lot of other black groups, they were never promoted on the top ten stations, they were mostly “relegated” to the R&B and Soul stations and charts. It was our loss, as they put out some really fine music, the stuff you could make love to.
I have always had a thing for music that didn’t hit the top ten, though I loved rock, and esp psychedelic rock. Opera and classic turn me off, but not much more.
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Yeah, I think the Isley’s is overall my favourite too. I don’t care for opera at all, but I do love classical. Can’t stand bluegrass or gospel, and I’m not a fan of hard rock or psychedelic rock. Given that, it’s amazing that you and I like as many of the same songs as we do!
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No, I think it is natural. We’re friends.
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Indeed we are, and my life is happier for it!
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I may be misremembering, but it seems to me that at some point in the past on some other music post, I had mentioned the sibling relationship of the two talented Seals. Be that as may be, I much prefer the Seals and Crofts version of this song. Mind you, nothing against The Isley Brothers, just a personal preference. Thank-you!
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You may well have, but my mind is much like a sieve and I often forget things … I’m sorry. As I’ve said before … music is unique to the listener … we all have our preferences … whichever puts a smile on your face is good!
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great song. I’ve never heard the Isley Brothers version. I’m so used to the Seals and Croft version, I’m not sure what I think of the Isley Brothers take on it…
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I think a lot of it is what you’re more familiar with. Most people in the U.S. are likely more familiar with Seals & Crofts and will prefer it. I’ve always been a fan of the Isley Brothers, so that is my favourite, though I also like Seals & Crofts.
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Jill, this song has so much texture. It is a terrific feel good song. Keith
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It is indeed! I’m so glad you liked it!
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I”ve never heard of Seal and Crofts.Starting it I thought it was about to be an episode of Mash. Then we’re introduced to two great singers Pity they broke up. The Isley’s on the other hand let you know you were in for a taste of music of the day with a lead off by Ronald. Great listening.
Cwtch
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Really??? I guess they must not have made it at all ‘cross the pond, then. They were pretty popular here, though never among my favourites. The Isley Brothers, on the other hand … well, what’s not to like?
Cwtch
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I’ve given up on trying to predict the weather. Nice song
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Me too … I was never any good at it even before climate change made it so erratic. Glad you liked the song.
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☺️
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Great song, Jill. Thanks for the memory – my final year of university.
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Two things … music and scent … can evoke memories like nothing else can. Glad this one brought back fond memories! Hugs!!!
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