Remember When Kenny Chesney Released ‘Summertime?’

The song became an anthem for Kenny Chesney fans.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

April 11, 2023

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12:36 pm

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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

Kenny Chesney - The Road And The Radio
Kenny Chesney – The Road And The Radio

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

YouTube 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.

Kenny Chesney; Photo by Getty Images for CMT
Kenny Chesney; Photo by Getty Images for CMT

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.

Kenny Chesney - Summer in 3D
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.  

Kenny Chesney with Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Allister Ann
Kenny Chesney with Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Allister Ann

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

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.