• The Isley Brothers’ version of “Summer Breeze” is the perfect example of a remake turned soul classic

The Isley Brothers was one of the first black groups to form their own label and managed, with the help of early member Jimi Hendrix, to inject rock influences into their music. That fact alone is blowin’ my mind! Did y’all know that? But what is really throwin’ me for a loop is that The Isley Brothers version of “Summer Breeze” is a remake/cover!

Jim Seals, one of the original writers of “Summer Breeze,” is the older brother of Dan Seals otherwise known as England Dan of England Dan and John Ford Coley fame. “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” was their biggest hit! Y’all know that song, right? I’m hummin’ the hook in my head right now.
Anyway, Jim Seals and Dash Crofts created “Summer Breeze” that might just make you long for the warmth, the ocean, and just a nice summer day in general. But the 1972 hit gets a lot deeper than that. Jim Seals said the lyrics about ‘jasmine’ are about a flower that blooms specifically in the summer, symbolizing feelings of contentment and harmony. That metaphorical use of the flower mixed with the feel-good tune of the song makes for a positivity-based song, especially since there’s a heavy emphasis on just being grateful for the simpler things in life.

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Summer Breeze

The Isley Brothers

Album: 3 + 3

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He also stated that the song was “A very simple song about a man coming home from work and hearing the dog barking and things like that, and to a lot of people the song’s about looking for security. Our meaning goes further than that, for a prison can be the prison of self and a person can become insecure and paranoid if he doesn’t have direction in his personal life.” That’s the beauty of great penmanship.

And The Isley Brothers’ version is a prime example of iconic musicianship! They flipped the original version on its head and then some. Whew!!

Ya know, again, I never knew that The Isley Brothers’ “Summer Breeze” version was even a cover until this year! Did y’all know that? Let us know in the comments. Then do yourself a favor and put it in your playlist.

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