"Summer Son" is a song by Scottish band Texas, released as the second single from their fifth studio album, The Hush (1999). The song was released in Europe on 9 August 1999 and in the United Kingdom on 16 August 1999, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart. In mainland Europe, "Summer Son" became one of the band's biggest hits, reaching the top five in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Switzerland, and Wallonia. It has received gold certifications in Belgium and Germany and a silver certification in the United Kingdom.
A major chart success for the band, it has appeared on three of their compilation albums: The Greatest Hits (2000), Texas 25 (2015) and The Very Best of 1989–2023 (2023).
Critical reception J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun noted that the band are infusing the song with "an ABBA-esque melancholy."Considine, J.D. (10 June 1999). "Early, quirky Randy Newman is back in 'Bad Love'". p. 10. The Baltimore Sun. Howard Cohen from The Miami Herald said they do "some Garbage/ABBA melding", picking it as "this CD's catchiest number."Cohen, Howard (4 June 1999). "Jamiroquai retreats further into '70s". p. 18G. The Miami Herald. Stephen Dalton from NME wrote that "these 12 tracks perform their ear-soothing job with ruthless efficiency", noting the "Abba-tinged retro-disco" of "Summer Son". A reviewer from Sunday Mercury stated that "the new single from Texas, is a great wedge of Scot pop. With its tubular bells chorus, catchy riff and Sharleen's breathy vocals, it's one of the best singles for weeks and deserves to go straight into the top 10.""New Releases". Sunday Mercury. 15 August 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020. Sunday Tribune complimented its title as "really clever, right, because it's called 'Summer Son', and she's talking about a bloke, but it sounds a bit like 'Summer Sun'".Sunday Tribune. 15 August 1999. p. 35. Retrieved 28 November 2020. Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald deemed it "hugely infectious".(23 May 1999). "Spins". p. 17. Sydney Morning Herald.
Music video A music video was made to accompany the song. It features Spiteri writhing with a hunky male model on a bed. The video was banned from daytime TV, as it was deemed too provocative.Scott, James (20 August 1999). "SEXING UP THE STATE OF TEXAS; Sharleen Spiteri Changed Her Band's Image and They Hit Paydirt, but JAMES SCOTT Finds She's Still Down to Earth". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
Track listings UK CD1 "Summer Son" (enhanced version) "Don't You Want Me" (live at Glastonbury 99) "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder radio mix)
UK CD2 "Summer Son" "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder alternative 12-inch) "Summer Son" (Tee's Freeze mix) - 7:30
UK 12-inch single A1. "Summer Son" (Sunburn mix) – 7:39 A2. "Summer Son" (Love to Infinity radio mix) – 3:57 B1. "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder alternative 12-inch) – 5:14 B2. "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder radio mix) – 3:39
UK cassette single and European CD single "Summer Son" – 4:04 "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder radio mix) – 3:39
Australian CD single "Summer Son" "Don't You Want Me" (live at Glastonbury '99) "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder alternative 12-inch) "Summer Son" (Love to Infinity Sunburn mix) "Summer Son" (Tee's Freeze mix) "Say What You Want" (live at 2Day FM in Sydney, 28 May 1997)
Credits and personnel Credits are lifted from The Hush album booklet.
Studios Recorded at Shar's house and Park Lane (Glasgow, Scotland) Mixed at the Mix Suite, Olympic Studios (London, England)
Personnel
Texas – all instruments, programming Johnny McElhone – writing, production (as Johnny Mac) Sharleen Spiteri – writing Eddie Campbell – writing Ally McErlaine Robert Hodgens – writing Tony McGovern – guitars Paul Smith – guitars Richard Hynd – drums, additional programming Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (1999) PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) 95Croatia International Airplay (HRT) 4Denmark (IFPI) 10 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 6 European Radio Top 50 (Music & Media) 1Greece (IFPI) 3 Airplay (Music & Media) 1Hungary (Mahasz) 4 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 17Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Texas". 39Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) 2
+Chart (2026) PeakpositionPoland (Polish Airplay Top 100) 56
Year-end charts +Chart (1999)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 91Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 44Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 27France (SNEP) 42Germany (Media Control) 36Romania (Romanian Top 100) 78Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 28UK Singles (OCC) 147UK Airplay (Music Week) 28
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Europe9 August 1999CDMercuryUnited Kingdom16 August 1999
References