This song from Bananarama's self-titled debut was a big hit in their home country of England upon its release in 1983, but it wasn't until the next year, when it appeared in the hit film 'The Karate Kid' that it became a Top 10 U.S. smash.
Only Kid Rock would have both the cajones and the ability to take the most popular songs from unlikely partners -- like southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and singer-songwriter Warren Zevon -- and somehow mash them together into a danceable, hip-hop-influenced ode to summer parties.
Bryan Adams and co-writer Jim Vallance have had a friendly public debate about the meaning of this summer song. For Vallance, it's a fond remembrance of the year 1969, when he turned 17 and discovered all sorts of wonderful music. For Adams, the number's meaning is a bit more, shall we say, carnal.
Reportedly, the lyrics for this song were taken from a poem Mark Sebastian (John Sebastian's brother) submitted to a literary magazine. Dozens of artists have since covered this wonderfully evocative summer song, including BB King, Quincy Jones and Joe Jackson.
Quite possibly the grand-daddy of all summer songs, this under-two minute blast of energy from 1958 still perfectly captures the excitement and angst of a teenager who simply longs for temporary escape from his summertime job. He seeks assistance from the highest of authorities, the United Nations, who refuse to help since he's not old enough to vote.
