“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!”
When I think about songs for summertime, Nat King Cole’s “Lazy, Hazy, Crazy days of Summer” is the first one that starts playing in my head. Cole paints such a clear picture of the sheer fun of summer. How fun would it be to share these songs with family member during your next visit, phone or video call?
Singing summer tunes is a great way to connect with your loved one, put a smile on their face, and reminisce on summers of days past. Like after singing Summertime by Gershwin, you can ask how Mom or Dad kept the “living easy” during hot days of yesteryear. You can also just sing with Mom or Dad for the fun of it – no discussion needed!
Here are some favorites we love to sing and reflect on:
1. In the Good Ol’ Summertime (1902)
2. When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin
Along) (1926) – Harry Woods
3. Summertime (1934)- George Gershwin
4. Chattanooga Choo Choo (1941) – Glenn Miller (this is
a fun one to lead into a discussion of the different places
you might take a train for summer vacation)
5. Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis (1944) – Judy Garland
6. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (1946) – James Baskett
7. Summertime Blues (1958) – Eddie Cochran
8. Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer (1963) –
Nat King Cole
9. Under the Boardwalk (1964) – The Drifters
10. What a Wonderful World (1967) – Louis Armstrong
If you are interested in more ways to engage with your loved one through music, please reach out to me at mpate@kensingtonsl.com.
Melissa Pate, MT-BC, NMT, is one of our in-house board-certified music therapists. She specializes in Neurological Music Therapy, or NMT.