Summer Son

"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." Howard Cohen from The Miami Herald said they do "some Garbage/ABBA melding", picking it as "this CD's catchiest number." 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." 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'". Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald deemed it "hugely infectious".

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.

Track listings

 * UK CD1 (MERCD 520)
 * 1) "Summer Son" (enhanced version)
 * 2) "Don't You Want Me" (live at Glastonbury 99)
 * 3) "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder radio mix)
 * Enhanced CD includes video and photo gallery


 * UK CD2 (MERDD 520)
 * 1) "Summer Son"
 * 2) "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder alternative 12-inch)
 * 3) "Summer Son" (Tee's Freeze mix) - 7:30


 * UK 12-inch single (MERJJ520)
 * 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 (MERMC 520; 562 244-2)
 * 1) "Summer Son" – 4:04
 * 2) "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder radio mix) – 3:39


 * Australian CD single (562 382-2)
 * 1) "Summer Son"
 * 2) "Don't You Want Me" (live at Glastonbury '99)
 * 3) "Summer Son" (Giorgio Moroder alternative 12-inch)
 * 4) "Summer Son" (Love to Infinity Sunburn mix)
 * 5) "Summer Son" (Tee's Freeze mix)
 * 6) "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