Don Henley - "The Boys of Summer"

[joker]

First single from the solid album, "Building the Perfect Beast."

This song has been remade over the years by such as acts as DJ Sammy and The Ataris. Those were fine in their own ways, but the original will always be the definitive version for me. I liked the video a lot, too. An all-around classic!

[cartman2002]

The Boys Of Summer reached #5 in 1985

[roccorivers]

to be honest was surprised by the ataris version. thought they were going to ruin a classic but managed to give it a pretty good update

[Chato]

^^ Their version was not bad but it still couldn't hold a candle to the original.

One of the best top40 singles of the 1980's.

[joker]

roccorivers said:

to be honest was surprised by the ataris version. thought they were going to ruin a classic but managed to give it a pretty good update

I agree. I didn't really like the few other songs I'd heard by them, but they did a good job with this.

[jaxxalude]

I'm not one to back that cliché of the Summer music or the Summer song. But if that was the case, I'd say this should be considered the official song of every Summer for all eternity, just because its lyrics are the very bittersweet definition of what Summer is all about. And the music, with its apparent sunny vibes, but easily spottable dark edges, just adds up to the whole effect.
No wonder this song stood the test of time the way it did.

[areyoureadytojump]

The video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxFDpL99muk

[johnnywest]

I like this version better than The Ataris.

[WotUNeed]

johnnywest said:

I like this version better than The Ataris.

Me too. Great song.

[unicorns]

Great song but it's SO overplayed.

[tico]

Never was a fan of this song, but at the same time, not too thrilled by the remakes from the Ataris and DJ Sammy.

[areyoureadytojump]

Already done...

[freakyflybry2]

Great song! He had many memorable solo songs, and this one was one of the best. Hard to believe it charted in winter though (maybe it did better in Australia?)

[My Life Is A Stereo]

just the intro to this song makes me wish i was driving every time I hear it

[cookie2u]

I drove from Michigan to Texas listening to Don's "Actual Miles" album, which had "The Boys of Summer" on it. I tried the radio and some other CDs but they just didn't do it on that trip. "Actual Miles" kept me awake and happy all the way.

[Hervard]

Jan 6, 2007 17:28:38 GMT -5 @jaxxalude said:

I'm not one to back that cliché of the Summer music or the Summer song. But if that was the case, I'd say this should be considered the official song of every Summer for all eternity, just because its lyrics are the very bittersweet definition of what Summer is all about. And the music, with its apparent sunny vibes, but easily spottable dark edges, just adds up to the whole effect.

That said, I find it so ironic that this song hit its peak in the dead of winter. In fact, the very week it hit its peak, it was 25 below zero in the Great Lakes area. I think Henley should have waited until the summer of 1985 to release this. It might have gone to number one then. But that's OK; "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" also had that summertime vibe to it.

As for my opinion of this song, I did like the Ataris remake, but the original is the best.

[CammyCan]

Love this so much, one of my Dad's favorite songs and mine as well. I might be the only one, but I like the Ataris version just as much.

[irock]

Sept 6, 2008 5:16:34 GMT -5 CammyCan said:

I might be the only one, but I like the Ataris version just as much.

I'm usually partial to original versions, but I agree with you about this one. In fact, the newer version is probably the one I would usually prefer to hear, if for no reason other than the fact that it wasn't burned out as badly on radio.

[620 Soul Train]

Don Henley performed this better, at the same time I never cared for the song, really. Though I like many of his other songs such as "End Of Innocence", "All She Wants To Do Is Dance", and especially "Sunset Grill". On another note it was a burn out on many jukeboxes.

[Unhinged]

This came on my iPod while at work, forgot how much I love this. Also really like the video for this.

[H.]

I love this song. I like it better than the Ataris which I also like.

[johnnywest]

Brings back fond memories.

[LBTrocks]

I really like this song. Very nostalgic for me too, especially since Emerson Drive used to cover it at their live shows all the time. They made me love the song more.

[Hefty Hanna]

One of my favorites.

[Deleted]

Whenever someone asks "what is your favorite song of all time?", this is one of a few that come to mind.

One of my favorite intros and overall instrumentals in popular music, and his voice and delivery just take it into the stratosphere for me. Totally essential, timeless, transcendent pop in my book.

It's a very nostalgic song for me about being nostalgic - which is so damn meta.

Also, I always felt like Taylor Swift's "Style" was reminiscent of this song. The moody intro and storytelling verses with the big chorus made me think of this instantly. They're late-night end-of-summer/autumn driving songs.

[jenglisbe]

Yeah, it has a great mood. It also has one of the best melodies in pop music history.

[disman00911]

Decent but overplayed on classic hits/80s radio stations.  My favorite solo hit from him is "Dirty Laundry".

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

My fave song by him.

[Carlitoz]

The very first time I learned of him. LOVED the song AND the video. I didn't even have a clue that he was from The Eagles.

[Dammn Baby]

This song defines late August for me; it's a mood. Lyrically (well, in every respect, but especially lyrically), it's outstanding.