The Sounds Of Summer- Day 40 of 95. “The Summer Of ’69”- Bryan Adams. I am fairly neutral on Bryan Adams- some songs are OK- some borderline bad and then there is one great song he did- “The Summer of ’69” written by Adams and his long time writing partner Jim Vallance. The single went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 and the video was all over MTV- back in the day when MTV was Music Television and they showed videos and before the station became an epic dumpster fire.
The song has always taken me back to the summer of ’69 in my mind. I was eight and my family was living on a big farm out in the country. Those were the only two years that I have ever lived out in the country- a town boy I’ve always been before and since. Funny how two people can live the same experience and feel totally different about it. Down the road about a half a mile was a kid who I am still friends with-Gunther. He still talks to this day how he hated living out there in the country- how isolated he felt. But our personalities are totally different. Gunther to this day is restless- he has to be moving- he has to be around other people. Gunther never sits still. I am fine spending the day or week at home. My wife is the same way. Sometimes it feels like a chore to leave the house. Anyway- back in the summer of ’69 with fond memories. Maybe the key was I only lived out there for two years. Maybe If I like Gunther had spent my first 18 years or so out there I would have felt differently.
slicethelife 
This is my fave Bryan Adams song too. It’s one of those where I was hooked from the first time I heard the opening lines. When it came out, I was a beginning teacher in a tiny town, and trying to love it there, but really missing the city, which as much a city as just a bigger town. This song made me even more nostalgic.
Another good song from that album is his duet with Tina Turner “It’s Only Love”.
Will have to look that up- never bought a Bryan Adams album.
“Reckless” is actually a pretty decent album. “Run to You”, “Heaven” and “Somebody” are also good songs from that album.
I’ve heard all his hits on the radio- and have listened to his best or – or greatest hits. Will give “Reckless” a listen.
This one is totally my favorite song of his.
Me too by far.
Two years vs 18 years is a novelty vs a lifestyle. Gunther had nothing to compare his life to. Does he still live in the country or did he move to the city? I like Bryan Adams as you know. He’s good easy listening. I don’t think I’d ever buy an album by him. Hey on another artist, Gilbert O’Sullivan, I listened to the CD my friend made for me of his music then went out to wiki. He went 40 years without another album but iirc he put out another one in 2016…
Gunther has lived in urban areas since he grew up.. i think part of the problem was even when I lived out there I was wasn’t stuck there. He was- very few trips off the farm.
O’Sullivan’s last album actually went to #20 on the UK album chart.
Cool!