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Remember When Kenny Chesney Released ‘Summertime?’
The song became an anthem for Kenny Chesney fans.
Kenny Chesney; Photo by Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Kenny Chesney released his fan-favorite hit, “Summertime,” to country radio on this day in 2006.
The beloved warm weather anthem was co-written by Craig Wiseman and Steve McEwan and released as the third single from Chesney’s 2005 album, The Road And The Radio (following “Who You’d Be Today” and “Living In Fast Forward”).
A Summer Anthem
The lyrics paint the picture of a perfect summer day when “school’s out and the nights roll in” and worries fade away.
“And it’s two bare feet on the dashboard/ Young love and an old Ford/ Cheap shades and a tattoo/ And a yo-ho bottle on the floorboard/ Perfect song on the radio/ Sing along ’cause it’s one we know/ It’s a smile, it’s a kiss/ It’s a sip of wine, it’s summertime/ Sweet summertime,” Chesney sings.
Wiseman recalled writing the song in an interview with The Boot. He explained that the idea came to them while taking a break from writing the song “My Old Friend” for Tim McGraw.
“Finally, around midnight, we took a break from writing ‘My Old Friend’ and went out on the back steps of my office; it was that first night when it stays warm, and you can smell the grass growing. I walked outside and was like, “Man … summertime! Smell that!” It was that first warm night of summer; it was great,” he explained.
Re-Live The Music Video
The next day, Wiseman says, he couldn’t get the word out of his head.
“For whatever reason, I kept going, ‘Summertime! Summertime!’ It was sticking in my head. We got to the office, and I pulled up a drumbeat and started saying it to the beat. I didn’t want to call it ‘Summertime,’ because you want to come up with a little better of a title than that, but it just kept coming back to ‘Summertime.’”
Before they knew it, a hit was born.
The music video features footage from several of Chesney’s concerts and includes footage of fans showcasing their love for the superstar. From decorated cars, to custom license plates and handmade signs, the video brings the fans’ passion for Chesney and his music to life.
The clip also tips its hat to the band and the crew who help put on the live shows the Tennessee native has become known for.
“Summertime, it means so many things,” Chesney says as the music video begins.“It’s tailgating in the parking lots, being free and living easy, but for me and the guys on the road, summertime means all the fans bringing all these songs alive. It’s playing way too loud and having a whole lot of fun doing it. Because, without you, without the fans, the music just isn’t the same. And with you, well, it’s always summertime.”
“Summertime” is a staple in his live shows. He showcased a performance of the high-energy track in his 2011 theatrical release, Kenny Chesney: Summer In 3D.
Filmed over six nights, the film includes concert footage and behind-the-scenes footage. Other songs included are “Live Those Songs,” “Beer In Mexico,” “Out Last Night,” “Big Star,” and more.
The DVD includes four bonus performances: “Me and You,” “Don’t Blink,” “Guitars and Tiki Bars,” and “Never Wanted Nothing More.”
Kenny Chesney is currently in the midst of his 2023 I Go Back Tour where he performs “Summertime” and a slew of other hits.
The trek features special guest Kelsea Ballerini and runs through May 27.
I Go Back Tour 2023
April
12 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
14 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place Amphitheater
16 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga Music Festival*
22 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
25 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
27 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
29 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
May
4 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena at The Mark
6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
9 – Grand Forks, ND – Alerus Center
11 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center
13 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
18 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
20 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
25 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf
23 – Endicott, NY – En-Joie Golf Course*
July
22 – Des Moines, IA – Hy-Vee Indy Race*
*festival/one-off show dates
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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