Endless Summer Nights
Encyclopedia
"Endless Summer Nights" is a song written and performed by American pop-rock
singer Richard Marx
, and released in January 1988 as the third single from his eponymous debut album
. The song peaked at number two on the U.S. pop
and adult contemporary
charts.
The lyrics were inspired by a trip to Hawaii that Marx had taken with his then-girlfriend (and future wife), Cynthia Rhodes
.
According to Marx, he wrote the song as a theme to the summer love that does not last when lovers go their separate ways in the fall.
In the liner notes of his 1997 Greatest Hits
album, Marx commented on the song: "Aside from replacing synthesized bass with the great Nathan East
, this recording is the demo that every record company in the business rejected in 1985 and 1986." Marx eventually signed with EMI
-Manhattan Records
in 1986.
at number 53, the highest debut of the week. In March, the song reached number two, where it stayed for two weeks, behind Man In The Mirror
by Michael Jackson
.
The single also peaked at number two on the U.S. Adult Contemporary
chart.
Elsewhere, the single reached number 13 in Sweden, 19 in Australia, number 42 in New Zealand, number 50 in the United Kingdom, and number 62 in the Netherlands.
singer Dorothy Moore
performed a cover version
of "Endless Summer Nights" on her 1988 album Time Out for Me.
Smooth jazz
saxophonist
Dave Koz
, who accompanied Marx on his first tour, covered the song on his eponymous 1990 debut solo album
.
Jawaiian trio Ekolu recorded a cover version of the song on their 2009 album Ekolu Music II: Anthem.
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
singer Richard Marx
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
, and released in January 1988 as the third single from his eponymous debut album
Richard Marx (album)
-Singles:-Personnel:*Alex Acuña - percussion*Dave Buroff - arranger, saxophone*Joe Chemay - bass guitar*Paulinho da Costa - arranger, percusion*Nathan East - bass guitar*Bruce Gaitsch - rhythm guitar, other guitars*Tris Imboden - drums*John M...
. The song peaked at number two on the U.S. pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and adult contemporary
Adult contemporary music
Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music....
charts.
Background and composition
"Endless Summer Nights" was a track from Marx's original demo tapes.The lyrics were inspired by a trip to Hawaii that Marx had taken with his then-girlfriend (and future wife), Cynthia Rhodes
Cynthia Rhodes
Cynthia Rhodes is an American actress, singer and dancer most noted for her roles in Dirty Dancing, Flashdance and Staying Alive.- Career :...
.
According to Marx, he wrote the song as a theme to the summer love that does not last when lovers go their separate ways in the fall.
In the liner notes of his 1997 Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Richard Marx album)
Greatest Hits is the third compilation album by Richard Marx. Released in 1997, this greatest hits package was the last recording for Marx as a Capitol Records artist...
album, Marx commented on the song: "Aside from replacing synthesized bass with the great Nathan East
Nathan East
Nathan Harrell East is a jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. East holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of California, San Diego...
, this recording is the demo that every record company in the business rejected in 1985 and 1986." Marx eventually signed with EMI
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
-Manhattan Records
Manhattan Records
Manhattan Records is a United States record label, owned by EMI and operates as a subsidiary of The Blue Note Label Group.-Company history:Manhattan Records was formed in 1984 by Bruce Lundvall, and was later renamed EMI Manhattan Records after absorbing EMI America Records imprint...
in 1986.
Release and reception
Released in January 1988 as the third single from his debut solo album, "Endless Summer Nights" entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 53, the highest debut of the week. In March, the song reached number two, where it stayed for two weeks, behind Man In The Mirror
Man in the Mirror
"Man in the Mirror" is a song recorded by Michael Jackson and written and composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. It peaked at number one in the United States when released as a single in January 1988 off his seventh solo album, Bad. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs and...
by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
.
The single also peaked at number two on the U.S. Adult Contemporary
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
chart.
Elsewhere, the single reached number 13 in Sweden, 19 in Australia, number 42 in New Zealand, number 50 in the United Kingdom, and number 62 in the Netherlands.
Track listing
- "Endless Summer Nights" (Marx) – 4:11
- "Have Mercy" (live) (Marx) – 5:30
Chart performance
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 2 |
| U.S. Adult Contemporary | 2 |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
19 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
62 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
42 |
| Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
13 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
50 |
Other versions
SoulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer Dorothy Moore
Dorothy Moore
Dorothy Moore is an American pop, R&B, and soul singer best known for her 1976 hit song, "Misty Blue".-Career:...
performed a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Endless Summer Nights" on her 1988 album Time Out for Me.
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
Dave Koz
Dave Koz
Dave Koz is an American smooth jazz saxophonist.- Life and career :Dave Koz was born on March 27, 1963 in Encino, California....
, who accompanied Marx on his first tour, covered the song on his eponymous 1990 debut solo album
Dave Koz (album)
Dave Koz is the 1990 debut album by Dave Koz. It was released on Capitol Records in 1990. Koz himself co-wrote eight of the 11 tracks, as well as having a reworking of the Richard Marx hit Endless Summer Nights....
.
Jawaiian trio Ekolu recorded a cover version of the song on their 2009 album Ekolu Music II: Anthem.