Summer Wind
Encyclopedia
"Summer Wind" is a 1965 song, with music by Heinz Meier (= Henry Mayer) and lyrics by Johnny Mercer
, Original german lyrics by Hans Bradtke. The song is a nostalgic tale of a fleeting romance, first recorded by Wayne Newton
who had the first national chart hit with the song in 1965, peaking at number 78.
"Summer Wind" is most known for a 1966 recording by Frank Sinatra
which peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard pop singles
chart and number one on the Easy Listening chart. The Sinatra version originally appeared on his album, Strangers in the Night
. By the 2000s, it was one of Sinatra's most-used recordings in various contexts.
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
, Original german lyrics by Hans Bradtke. The song is a nostalgic tale of a fleeting romance, first recorded by Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton is an American singer and entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He performed over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas over a period of over 40 years, earning him the nicknames The Midnight Idol, Mr. Las Vegas and Mr. Entertainment...
who had the first national chart hit with the song in 1965, peaking at number 78.
"Summer Wind" is most known for a 1966 recording by Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
which peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard pop singles
Billboard 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...
chart and number one on the Easy Listening chart. The Sinatra version originally appeared on his album, Strangers in the Night
Strangers in the Night (Frank Sinatra album)
Strangers in the Night is a 1966 studio album by Frank Sinatra.The album marked Sinatra's return to #1 on the pop album charts in the mid-1960s, and it consolidated the comeback he started in 1966. Combining pop hits with show tunes and standards, the album creates a balance between big band and...
. By the 2000s, it was one of Sinatra's most-used recordings in various contexts.
Other cover versions
- In 1967, Shirley BasseyShirley BasseyDame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
recorded the song for her album And We Were LoversAnd We Were LoversAnd We Were Lovers is a 1967 album by Shirley Bassey. The album is the first appearance of Big Spender, and the single that was issued hit #21 on the charts.And We Were Lovers was recorded in America and in England...
. - In 1967, Bent FabricBent FabricBent Fabricius-Bjerre , better known internationally as Bent Fabric, is a Danish pianist and composer.-Biography:...
recorded an instrumental version of the song for his album Operation Lovebirds. - In 1974, author Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
recorded the song for his album My Huckleberry FriendMy Huckleberry Friend"...My Huckleberry Friend": Johnny Mercer Sings the Songs of Johnny Mercer is an album by singer/composer Johnny Mercer, released in 1974....
. - Barry ManilowBarry ManilowBarry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
covered the song for his 1998 tribute album, Manilow Sings SinatraManilow Sings SinatraManilow Sings Sinatra is an album by singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, released in 1998. The album was a compilation of himself singing songs originally made notable by Frank Sinatra, who had recently died...
. - Lyle LovettLyle LovettLyle Pearce Lovett is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded thirteen albums and released 21 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Cowboy Man"...
's version was featured in the 1999 Sam RaimiSam RaimiSamuel Marshall "Sam" Raimi is an American film director, producer, actor and writer. He is best known for directing cult horror films like the Evil Dead series, Darkman and Drag Me to Hell, as well as the blockbuster Spider-Man films and the producer of the successful TV series Hercules: The...
film For Love of the GameFor Love of the GameFor Love of the Game is a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Shaara, published posthumously in 1991. The book tells the story of fictional baseball great Billy Chapel, thirty-seven years old and nearing the end of his career.-Plot summary:...
. It was also released on Lovett's 2003 album Smile: Songs from the Movies. - In 1998, the song featured as a B-Side on CD2 (UK release) of The Fun Lovin' CriminalsFun Lovin' CriminalsThe Fun Lovin' Criminals is an American alternative hip hop / alternative rock group from New York City. Their musical style is primarily eclectic, covering styles such as hip hop, rock, funk, blues and jazz. Their songs often deal with life in New York City, as well as urban life in general...
' single Big Night Out. This version featured Ian McCullochIan McCulloch (singer)Ian Stephen McCulloch is an English singer, born in Liverpool, and is best known as the frontman for the rock group Echo & the Bunnymen.-Career:...
. - In 2003, singer Michael BubléMichael BubléMichael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
featured the song on his debut album. - In 2004, Irish boyband WestlifeWestlifeWestlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
covered the song on their Rat PackRat PackThe Rat Pack was a group of actors originally centered on Humphrey Bogart. In the mid-1960s it was the name used by the press and the general public to refer to a later variation of the group, after Bogart's death, that called itself "the summit" or "the clan," featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean...
-inspired album Allow Us to Be FrankAllow Us to Be Frank-Singles:"Smile" was released as the album's first single on 4 November 2004. The physical single features the video, and B-sides "White Christmas" and "When I Fall In Love". "Fly Me To The Moon" was released as the album's second single on 20 December 2004...
. - In 2006, James Dean BradfieldJames Dean BradfieldJames Dean Bradfield is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers.- Early life :...
of Manic Street PreachersManic Street PreachersManic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
covered "Summer Wind" and released it as a B-side to his UK single release of "An English GentlemanAn English Gentleman"An English Gentleman" is the second single from the album The Great Western by Manic Street Preachers vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, released on September 25, 2006 on Columbia Records. The title track pays tribute to the late Manics publicist Philip Hall...
". - The song was covered on Madeleine PeyrouxMadeleine PeyrouxMadeleine Peyroux is an American jazz singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Peyroux is noted for her vocal style, which has been compared to that of Billie Holiday....
's third solo album, Half the Perfect World.