Tune In, Get Shocked: Iconic Songs With Surprising Backstories

4. The Summer Of '69 - Bryan Adams

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Even for those of us who were not living in the summer of 1969, this is one of those enchanted tunes that arouse longing. From Woodstock to the moon landing, so much happened that year that you most likely, fairly, believe the song was inspired by the legendary year and the unique summer Adams had throughout it... still not exactly. Adams only born in 1959, hence at that time he would have only been ten years old. Surprisingly, but naturally, the summer of 1969 is about sex, especially in the summer. Having said that, you can only wonder how he arrived at the number '69'. This disclosure gives a song people have long connected with pure recollection a mischievous, irreverent element. Adams's cleverness as a lyricist is shown in the brilliant double entendre in the title, which may create a song that appeals both as a more adult-oriented music and as a nostalgic trip back at adolescence. The song's capacity to appeal to listeners on several levels—that of a tribute to a bygone period or of more sensual undertones—has added to its ongoing appeal. It's a perfect illustration of how songwriters could stack meaning in their compositions so that the listener's viewpoint and life experience will allow for several readings. This dichotomy in "Summer of '69" also captures the larger cultural change of the late 20th century, as more candid conversations about sexuality started to infiltrate popular music among other media.