Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles
⚬

Released in 2005

Summer of '59

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on January 14, 2021

Album This song officially appears on the Jenny Wren 7" Single.

Timeline This song was officially released in 2005

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 2005, when Paul McCartney was 63 years old)

Master album

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Other songs recorded during Chaos And Creation sessions & released separetely

“Summer Of ’59” is a track recorded during the sessions for 2005 album “Chaos And Creation In The Backyard“. It was released as the B-side of the single “Jenny Wren“. Five other songs from those sessions were released as B-sides or bonus tracks.

TitleNotes
Comfort of LoveAvailable on “Fine Line” CD single
Growing Up, Falling DownAvailable on “Fine Line” 7″ single
Summer of ’59Available on “Jenny Wren” 7″ single
This Loving GameAvailable on “Jenny Wren” Maxi-CD single
I Want You to FlyAvailable on “Jenny Wren” CD single
She Is So BeautifulAvailable on the Japanese pressing of the album

Lyrics

In the summer of '59, dandelions shine up through the pavement

Pedal pushers in the bushes

Waspy pinges, sixteen inches round her waist

And it’s all in the name of good taste

In the summer of '59, dandelions shine up through the pavement

Fluorescent socks and fishnet stockings

Dirty combs from ideal homes, and girls are chaste

And it's all in the name of good taste

Good taste, nobody knew what we knew then

Good taste, look at the boys turn into men

Good taste, nobody knew what we knew then

Look at the girls turn into women

Uh, ooh, uh, ooh, uh

Look at the girls turn into women

Uh, ooh, uh, ooh, uh

Some of the girls turned into women

Ooh

In the summer of ’59, dandelions shine up through the pavement

Council houses, drainpipe trousers

Ciggy packs and long black jackets, ties are laced

And it's all in the name of good taste

Good taste, nobody knew what we knew then

Good taste, look at the boys turn into men

Good taste, nobody knew what we knew then

Look at the girls turn into women

Uh, ooh, uh, ooh, uh

Look at the girls turn into women

Uh, ooh, uh, ooh, uh

Some of the girls turned into women

Ooh

In the summer of '59

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Live performances

“Summer of '59” has been played in 1 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Summer of '59” has been played

  • Sold On Song

    Jul 27, 2005 • United Kingdom • London • Abbey Road Studios • Radio show

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Rod Labbe • 7 years ago

The lyrics are wrong. It isn't "Better pushers in the bushes" but "pedal pushers in the bushes." I was alive in 59, and a lot of girls wore pedal pushers. According to Wikipedia, "Pedal pushers are calf-length trousers that were popular during the 1950s and the early 1960s. Often cuffed and worn tight to the skin, they are related in style to capri pants, and are sometimes referred to as "clam diggers".

The PaulMcCartney Project • 7 years ago

Hi Rob, many thanks for noticing & giving the context ! This is now fixed !

Martin Shough • 4 years ago

Hello. Another error in the lyric. It's "waspy pinches, sixteen inches" not "waspy binges" whatever they might be :-)

The PaulMcCartney Project • 4 years ago

Thanks Martin, I'm fixing it !!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.