Songwriter: Charles Tobias Al Frisch

When you took a buggy ride
With your sweetie by your side
And a walk down lovers' lane
Was so sublime
When a one-piece suit on women
Was the style when they went swimmin'
That's what they meant
By "the good old summertime"

When a nickel took you far
On an open trolley car
And a big banana split
Was just a dime
When high-buttoned shoes were proper
And the straw hat was a topper
That's what they meant
By "the good old summertime"

When a barbershop quartet
Joined in song each time they met
You would hear them harmonize
"Sweet Adeline"
How their voices started glowing
When the beer would start inflowing
That's what they meant
By "the good old summertime"

On the lake, the thing to do
Was to paddle your canoe
To a lonely spot
And tell her she's divine
Then there came a sudden shower
And she wilted like a flower
That's what they meant
By "the good old summertime"

At each melodrama show
With the poor girl in the snow
Crying, "Save me! Save me!
And this child of mine!"
There are those who still remember
Starting June until September
Of the fun that they had
While the temperature would climb

That's what they meant
By "the good old summer"
That's what they meant
By "the good old summer"
That's what they meant
By "the good old summertime"

Nat “King” Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles (17 March 1919 – 15 February 1965) was born in Montgomery, Alabama and used the stage name Nat “King” Cole throughout his career as a jazz pianist and later as a singer.

Cole’s first mainstream hit was “Straighten Up and Fly Right” in 1943. Bo Diddley, who performed similar folk-based material said that song was a big influence on him.

In the late 40s, Cole began recording more pop-oriented material. His stature as a pop singer was cemented by hits like “Route 66”, “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable”. In the 50s, virtually every home had a copy of his Christmas album.