Summer Nights was written in 1971 by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey for the stage musical Grease. However, when John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John adapted Summer Nights to the movie version of this musical, this song reached its peak in popularity. The lyrics appeal to any teenager who experiences a summer romance. While the summer always ends. fond memories of this relationship may last a lifetime. The lyrics speak to being true to yourself instead of trying to become the person that your significant other wants you to be.
Biblical Application:
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. 19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. 20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm, Proverbs 13:18-20.
Exegesis of Summer Nights:
Summer loving had me a blast
Summer loving happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be
A quick summer of how having fun, led to a summer romance.
Summer days drifting away
To-ah! Oh, the summer nights
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh
We spent day and night together.
Tell me more, tell me more
Did you get very far?
Tell me more, tell me more
Like does he have a car?
The stanza illustrates the difference between how boys and girls think.
Uh huh (doo doo)
Uh huh (doo doo)
Uh huh (doo doo doo doo doo)
Harmony that serves as a transition.
She swam by me, she got a cramp
He ran by me, got my suit damp
I saved her life, she nearly drowned
He showed off, splashing around
Another quick summary, this time how they met each other.
Summer sun, something’s begun
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh
Suggests that one thing led to another.
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put a fight?
Friends wanting to know the details of this summer romance.
Dow, doobie do, doobie do
Doobie, doobie, doobie
Dow, doobie do, doobie do
Doobie, doobie, doobie, dow
Another transition using a play on words.
Took her bowling in the Arcade
We went strolling, drank lemonade
We made out under the dock
We stayed up ’til ten o’clock
Summer fling, don’t mean a thing
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Highlights leading up to their first kiss. This fling kept going all summer long.
Tell me more, tell me more
But you don’t gotta brag
Tell me more, tell me more
‘Cause he sounds like a drag
Peer pressure from friends, wanting to know more, but not convinced this was serious.
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, yeah!
Another musical transition.
He got friendly, holding my hand
Well, she got friendly down in the sand
He was sweet, just turned eighteen
Well, she was good, you know what I mean
Sharing discreet information, unsure of how much more to reveal.
Summer heat, boy and girl meet
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Suggesting that play on the beach turned into something more at night.
Tell me more, tell me more
How much dough did he spend?
Tell me more, tell me more
Could she get me a friend?
A superficial question followed by selfish desires, maybe she has a cute friend?
It turned colder, that’s where it ends
So I told her we’d still be friends
Then we made our true love vow
Wonder what she’s doing now
The abrupt end, typical compromise followed by desperate vow. Each wonder how the other is doing.
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh
Those summer
Nights!
(Tell me more, tell me more, more, more)
The disappointing conclusion to a summer relationship.
Final Thoughts:
I didn’t really have any summer relationships until the end of high school. I met a girl from Maryland with my best friend Carl who stayed with my family that week. Every day we went swimming, threw a frisbee and played volleyball. After meeting these 2 nice gals, they began to impress us by saying they smoked, using slang from their hometown. Sometimes people try too hard to be liked instead of being themselves. If human beings would simply be true to who they are, some summer romances might have continued. Yet, each time I watch Grease the musical, I am reminded to be myself, hold firm to my beliefs and let the chips fall where they may.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 