Introduction
“In the Summertime,” released in 1970, stands as the inaugural single by the British rock band Mungo Jerry. It achieved the top spot in charts globally, securing a seven-week reign on the UK Singles Chart, two weeks on a Canadian chart, and claiming the third position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US. This single eventually became one of the highest-selling of all time, amassing a total of 30 million copies sold. Crafted and composed by the lead singer of the band, Ray Dorset, during his tenure at a Timex lab, the lyrics of the song joyously reflect the carefree moments of summer. This track found its place in the band’s second album, “Electronically Tested,” released in March 1971.
Composition and Recording
Dorset attested that the creation of the song merely took 10 minutes, utilizing a second-hand Fender Stratocaster during his break from his regular job at Timex.
The recording of the song took place in Pye Studio 1 under the production of Barry Murray. Initially a two-minute piece, Murray extended it by replaying the recording with slight remixing in the second half and introducing the sound of a motorcycle in the middle. In an interview with Gary James, Dorset revealed the challenge of finding a motorcycle recording but ingeniously used the stereo effects of an engineer’s Triumph sports car passing by the studio, creating a unique auditory experience.
Release
The initial release in the UK occurred on Dawn Records, a new label introduced by Pye. Notably, it took the form of a maxi single, playing at 33 1⁄3 rpm, a departure from the standard 45 rpm of singles. The A-side featured an additional composition by Dorset, “Mighty Man,” while the B-side contained the extended version of the Woody Guthrie song “Dust Pneumonia Blues.” Sold in a picture sleeve, an uncommon practice at the time, and priced only slightly higher than the typical two-track single, it was deemed a cost-effective choice. A limited quantity of 45 rpm discs on the Pye record label, with “Mighty Man” on the B-side and lacking a picture sleeve, were pressed specifically for jukebox use, now considered rare collector’s items.
In 2012, Dorset initiated legal action against his former management company, Associated Music International, led by his former friend and business manager Eliot Cohen. The lawsuit claimed over £2 million in royalties, alleging that funds from the song had been unjustly withheld.
Video
Lyrics
In the summertime when the weather is hot
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather’s fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
Have a drink, have a drive
Go out and see what you can findIf her daddy’s rich, take her out for a meal
If her daddy’s poor, just do what you feel
Speed along the lane
Do a ton or a ton and twenty-five
When the sun goes down
You can make it, make it good and really fineWe’re no threat people
We’re not dirty, we’re not mean
We love everybody, but we do as we please
When the weather’s fine
We go fishing or go swimming in the sea
We’re always happy
Life’s for living, yeah, that’s our philosophySing along with us, dee-dee dee-dee dee
Da doo da-da da, yeah, we’re hap-pap-py
Da da da, dee da doo dee da doo da doo da
Da doo da-da da, dee da da dee da daWhen the winter’s here, yeah, it’s party time
Bring your bottle, wear your bright clothes
‘Cause it will soon be summertime
And we’ll sing again
We’ll go driving or maybe we’ll settle down
If she’s rich, if she’s nice
Bring your friends and we’ll all go into townIn the summertime when the weather is hot
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather’s fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
Have a drink, have a drive
Go out and see what you can findIf her daddy’s rich, take her out for a meal
If her daddy’s poor, just do what you feel
Speed along the lane
Do a ton or a ton and twenty-five
When the sun goes down
You can make it, make it good and really fineWe’re no threat people
We’re not dirty, we’re not mean
We love everybody, but we do as we please
When the weather’s fine
We go fishing or go swimming in the sea
We’re always happy
Life’s for living, yeah, that’s our philosophySing along with us, dee-dee dee-dee dee
Da doo da-da da, yeah, we’re hap-pap-py
Da da da, dee da doo dee da doo da doo da
Da doo da-da da, dee da da dee da da