"Summer Symphony" is a song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. It was arranged by John Farrar and produced by Pat Aulton. The song was used on the album Sounds Of Sedaka, a UK issue of the 1969 album, Workin' On A Groovy Thing recorded for Festival Records of Australia.
As the early 60s came to an end, NeilâÂÂs last Hot-100 entry in the decade was âÂÂThe Answer to My Prayerâ in 1965. In 1968 he recorded âÂÂStar Crossed Loversâ in Australia and re-energized his career with a #1 hit there. The following year he recorded a full album in Australia with arrangements by John Farrar, who went on to guide the career of Olivia Newton-John.
âÂÂSummer Symphonyâ was a track on the album and was one of seven tracks written with SedakaâÂÂs long-time collaborator, Howard Greenfield. Together they wrote some of his biggest hits, including âÂÂBreaking Up Is Hard to Doâ in 1962.
A number of tracks from this album were recorded by other artists; âÂÂSummer Symphonyâ was recorded by Lesley Gore on Mercury (1969). It was a non-album single, however, it used as the B-side of Gore's medley hit, "98.6/Lazy Day" (U.S. AC #38).
"Summer Symphony" was also covered by songwriter and producer Jack Gold in 1970. His rendition reached #10 on the U.S. Easy Listening chart in the summer of 1970. The following summer the song was re-released and became a hit again, reaching #34. It was included on a compilation LP, Make The Music Play (Neil Sedaka's Songwriting Gems 1963-1971).
In 1972, The Society of Seven recorded another lyricized version with Tony Ruivivar on lead vocals. It was featured on their LP Simply Ourselves.