Think Summer

"Think Summer"
Single by Ed Ames and Marilyn Maye
B-side"You Do"
ReleasedJune 1969
StudioRCA's Music Center of the World, Hollywood, California
Genre
Length2:15
LabelRCA Victor Records
Songwriters
ProducerJim Foglesong
Ed Ames singles chronology
"Son of a Travelin' Man"
(1969)
"Think Summer"
(1969)
"Leave Them a Flower"
(1969)
Marilyn Maye singles chronology
"Sing Me a Tune"
(1969)
"Think Summer"
(1969)
"Jimmy"
(1969)

"Think Summer" is a 1969 song written by Paul Evans and Paul Parnes. It was most notably performed by Ed Ames and Marilyn Maye, whose duet of the song was released as a single in the summer of 1969 by RCA Victor Records. It made chart appearances on US adult-oriented charts.

Background and release

American singer Ed Ames enjoyed pop and easy listening success in 1967 and 1968, charting several songs in the top-40 of charts, and had three number 1 songs.[1] Marilyn Maye, like Ames, was also an RCA Victor recording star and had success with Broadway show tunes "Cabaret" and "Step to the Rear" during this time as well.[2] RCA partnered up both singers for "Think Summer" and "You Do" in 1969, with critics noting the "sales" appeal of the single.[3] The song was written by Paul Evans and Paul Parnes who provided Maye her previous 1968 hit "Feelin'".[4] The single was produced by Jim Foglesong and arranged by Perry Botkin Jr..[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CashboxPositive (Pick of the Week)[3]
Record WorldPositive (Sleeper of the Week)[6]

The single received a positive critical reception upon its release. Cashbox believed that it's an "Automatic easy listening and MOR magnetism is a solid start that can be counted on by this duet appearance by Ed Ames & Marilyn Maye." They stated that "The material's delightful lilt and summery approach could just prove the key to making the side an across-the-board hit."[3] Record World put the single in its "Sleeper of the Week" section and said that Ames and Maye "on this new Evans-Parnes song" is a "pay-off idea to team these two".[6]

Chart performance

"Think Summer" became an easy listening succes while missing the pop charts.[1] The single debuted on the Billboard Easy Listening chart in the issue date July 19, 1969, reaching number 17 during an eight-week run on it.[4] It entered the Record World Top-Non Rock chart in the issue dated July 25, 1969, peaking at number 17 during an eight-week run as well.[7] It was reissued in May 1970 under the catalogue number 47-9843 and recharted for three weeks, peaking at number 38 on both charts.[4]

Charts

Chart performance for "Think Summer"
Chart (1969) Peak
position
US Billboard Easy Listening[4] 17
US Record World Top-Non Rock[7]
Chart (1970) Peak
position
US Billboard Easy Listening[4] 38
US Record World Top-Non Rock[7]

Release history

Release history and formats for "Think Summer"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 1969 RCA Victor Records [4]
Canada [8]
United States May 1970 [4]
Canada [9]
New Zealand July 1970 [10]

References

  1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2002). Joel Whitburn's top pop singles 1955-2002. Menomonee Falls, Wisc.: Record Research. p. 16. ISBN 0898201551. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  2. ^ Miller, Deb. "15 Questions in 15 Minutes with the legendary Marilyn Maye". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Albert, George (July 5, 1969). "Record Reviews: Cashbox Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XXX, no. 49. p. 36. Retrieved May 20, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn presents Billboard top adult songs, 1961-2006. Menomonee Falls, Wis. : Record Research Inc. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-89820-169-7. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  5. ^ Maye, Ames (June 1969). ""Think Summer"/"You Do" (7" single Information)". RCA Victor. 47-9751.
  6. ^ a b "Record World Singles Reviews: "Sleeper of the Week"" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 24, no. 1152. July 12, 1969. p. 1. Retrieved May 20, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  7. ^ a b c "Record World Singles Chart: Top Non-Rock" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 24, no. 1159. August 30, 1969. p. 41. Retrieved May 20, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  8. ^ Ed Ames, Marilyn Maye (June 1969). ""Think Summer"/"You Do" (7" single Information)". RCA Victor. 47-9751.
  9. ^ Ed Ames, Marilyn Maye (May 1970). ""Think Summer"/"You Do" (7" single Information)". RCA Victor. 47-9843.
  10. ^ Ed Ames, Marilyn Maye (July 1970). ""Think Summer"/"You Do" (7" single Information)". RCA Victor. Manufactured By – RCA of New Zealand. 47-9843.