Is Summertime the Most Covered Song Ever?
Everbody who's anybody in the music world has covered George Gershwin's Summertime at one point or another. From mournful, operatic versions true to the original aria to Janice Joplin's throaty shout-blues to Billy Stewart's exuberant scat, Gershwin's masterpiece from Porgy and Bess has really made the rounds.
This page explores some of the literally hundreds of versions of this song recorded and floating around out there. I've seen the total covers of Summertime officially released listed as high as nearly 3,000, so I'll have plenty to choose from. I'll also reveal my nominee for the single best cover of Summertime ever recorded. If I've missed your favorite version of the song, please let me know and I'll include it.
Lyrics and More about Gershwin and Summertime
The lyrics to Summertime (as use in the original George Gershwin version) go as follows:
Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry
One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by
Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry
Please add links to different versions, articles, or just blog posts about this song. I'd love to see them!
Gershwin on The Covers Project
You'll have to scroll down to see the many version more...1 point
The Summertime Connection
One of the best resources for finding cover versio more...0 points
Summertime Encyclopedia Entry
This page explains some of the dozens of instrumen more...0 points
The Single Best Cover of Summertime, Ever
Seriously, Billy Stewart Owns This Song
Summertime
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 11/21/2009)
I cannot emphasize enough how much fun this song is and how much better it fits the lyrics than most of the more authentic cover versions out there. I've linked to the video, below, so that you can give it a listen. If this is your first introduction to Billy Stewart, lucky you. You've got a whole career's worth of treats to explore. Summertime is an excellent place to start.
Billy Stewart's Fantastic Cover of Summertime
Gershwin Never Saw Billy Coming!
Music Videos for Summertime By George Gershwin
Sharon Jones and Charles Walker start off this star-studded list with a dose of soul. Don't miss Jill Scott and George Benson, who give another fantastic performance with a jazzy scat break in the middle. I've also included an American Idol rendition, to show that people are still covering this song for the masses. Rene Fleming and Leontyne Price give operatic performances more in keeping with the original song. Of course I've included the great Billy Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald, as well. A list of great cover versions of Summertime would be incomplete without them.
The Best-Known Version of Summertime
Janice Joplin's Soulful Rendition of the Standard
Summertime
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 11/21/2009)
Is it the irony of Janice Joplin singing a song about being safe and happy someday or is it the obvious feeling with which she sings it that makes this such a powerful cover of Summertime? You be the judge.
Janice Joplin's Mournful Version of Summertime
Tell Me What You Think about Gershwin's Summertime
Does Summertime Move You or Leave You Cold?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byIt's a Sad and Beautiful Song
bgamall says:
It is a song that reflects the season. It has a certain genius to it, because of the mood it sets.
Posted January 02, 2009
Margo_Arrowsmith says:
I have always loved this song, even as a little kid and teenager!
Posted December 04, 2008
Not-Pop says:
This nuanced song covers a lot of political ground as well as simply being a memorable and moving tune.
Posted October 09, 2008
It Bores the Pants off of Me
Some of the Many Versions of Summertime
Sure, Gershwin's original composition was soaring and operatic, but that's not the only way to sing Summertime. Here are more covers of the song, from the famous to the obscure. Who am I missing? Which is your favorite?
Summertime from "Porgy and Bess"
Little Charlotte Church stretches her pipes on an more...0 points
Sheet Music for Summertime
And Other Gershwin Favorites
Jazz Piano Made Easy - Learn to Play Summertime
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)
The Gershwin Collection - Composer Collection Songbook
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 11/21/2009)
Gershwin by Special Arrangement (Jazz-Style Arrangements with a ""Variation"")
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/21/2009)
The Greatest Songs Of George Gershwin
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 11/21/2009)
Summertime
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/21/2009)
Do You Agree? Let Me Know.
What song would you nominate for the most covered song of all time? Please share!
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Reply
- Onze Onze Sep 14, 2009 @ 2:08 am
- I love Mahalia Jackson's version of Summertime as well!
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Reply
- Sojourn Sojourn Aug 26, 2009 @ 10:36 am
- Wow - I'd forgotten that Fantasia did this song in the AI competition. She makes you want to listen all over again. Nice job!
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Reply
- LizMac60 LizMac60 Aug 22, 2009 @ 11:48 am
- It's a great song and a good lens.5*
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Reply
- Margo_Arrowsmith Margo_Arrowsmith Dec 4, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
- Great lens, thanks for reminding me of this song! *****
Other Cover Songs and Standards
Summertime wears the crown, but people love to cover!
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Route 66: A Modern Standard
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Whether you remember Nat King Cole crooning about Route 66 in the 40s and 50s, Depeche Mode rocking the way down the road in the 80s, or you first heard John Mayer or Chuck Berry singing the song in the movie Cars, this song has been moving and inspi...
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The Peter Gunn Theme Song
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Peter Gunn had a theme song, and it's been re-made and remixed since his television show debuted in 1958. Once it hit the airwaves, a new hit song began making its way through musical genres year after year. From the Duane Eddy smash in 1960 through...
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Rock Me, Baby: A Blues Crossover Standard
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Rock Me, Baby has been bouncing around the blues world since its first recording in 1940 by Big Bill Broonzy, and has been covered and reimagined by dozens of musicians of both blues and rock-and-roll fame. The song has crossed genre boundaries and h...
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Mack the Knife: A Swingin' Standard
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For a complete explanation of where Mack the Knife came from (and why you ought not be too taken with the scoundrel), check The Straight Dope. This lens picks up at the point where Louis Armstrong recorded the smash hit swing version of the song in 1...
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Ain't Nobody's Business
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Would you believe that there are three songs, all having been recorded for decades, expressing identical sentiments that it "ain't nobody's business" what the performer does? While Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do and Ain't Nobody's Business But My Ow...
by Not-Pop
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