Spring is my favorite season. It is a breath of fresh air after cold, dreary winter days. Warmer weather and more sunshine bring a feeling of newness and rebirth. Flowers begin to bloom and trees grow their leaves again—the sights and smells of spring feel magical. Songs that celebrate spring should evoke feelings and images of this wonderful season. Here are my Top Ten Favorite Songs about Spring.
Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.
— Toni Sorenson, writer and author
Top Ten Favorite Songs about Spring
10. “Season Suite: Spring”
This was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, and Dick Kniss for John’s sixth studio album (1972), Rocky Mountain High.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk_bhV0UFDI
Open up your eyes and see the brand new day
Clear blue sky and brightly shining sun
Open up your ears and hear the breeze essay
Everything that’s cold and gray is gone
— John Denver (1943-1997) American guitarist, singer, composer, actor, humanitarian, and environmentalist
9. “Spring in Manhattan”
Written in 1963, with lyrics by Alice Reach and music by Anthony Scibetta, this song is filled with memorable, romantic images of Manhattan. In the liner notes, Tony Bennett said, “It was refreshing to hear someone say something good about New York, so I decided to record it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKMrkMwLD28
Spring in Manhattan
Starts after dark
After a lazy afternoon
In Central Park
8. “April in Paris”
“April in Paris” is a popular song composed by Vernon Duke with lyrics by Yip Harburg. They composed it in 1932 for the Broadway musical Walk a Little Faster. The lyrics express how the singer never truly experienced the charm of spring until they spent April in Paris. The song has been covered by many artists including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett. Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn arranged the song for the 1951 Pepe Le Pew cartoon, “Scent-imental Romeo.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsNg6XB3dg
7. “Lullaby of Spring”
Written in 1967 by folk singer Donovan, this song chronicles the heralding signs of spring. The opening bird chirps set the tone for his poetic lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwI-I4SyxTM
So begins another spring,
Green leaves under berries,
Chiff-chaff eggs are painted by
Mother bird eating cherries
In the misty, tangled sky,
Fast a wind is blowing
In a new born rabbit’s heart
River life is flowing
6. “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most”
Written in 1955, with lyrics by Fran Landesman and music by Tommy Wolf, the song describes how someone feels sad and depressed despite all the good things associated with spring. The title is a jazz rendition of the opening line of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land, “April is the cruelest month.” The beautiful chromatic melody helps make this song a jazz classic. One of my favorite renditions is by Ella Fitzgerald.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sUzImvTwgk
5. “Beautiful Day”
Written and performed by U2, Bono said they wanted listeners to understand the importance of appreciating what little they have despite losing everything. Much like a flower blooming even in inhospitable conditions, it’s possible for a person to thrive during the darkest of times. In 2001, the song won three Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6WMzDOh1o
4. “April Come She Will”
“April Come She Will” is from Simon and Garfunkel’s second studio album (1966), Sounds of Silence. The song, a slower pop-rock song, personifies the spring and summer months. The lyrics mention April showers and the peacefulness of May. The inspiration for the lyrics is a child’s rhyme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NWjRmfnmIk
“April, come she will,
May, she will stay.
June, she’ll change her tune,
July, she will fly.
August, die she must,”
— A Child’s Nursery Rhyme.
3. “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)”
Written by Paul Simon, the song was originally released on Simon and Garfunkel’s 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. It’s all about slowing down, living in the moment, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. This is one of those songs that makes me burst out into singing whenever I think about the song—and how wonderful is the word groovy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xhJcQEfD5s
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJBhdKrwTOc
2. “It’s a Beautiful Morning”
I have loved this song since I first heard it back in 1968. The wind chimes and bells in the opening signal something new and fresh—these sounds instantly draw me in. Hearing this song always brings a smile to my face! The lyrics encourage you to go outside and enjoy the day. The song was written by Felix Cavaliere, lead vocalist and keyboard player for The Rascals, and Eddie Brigati, co-lead vocalist and percussionist for The Rascals. This track was the first one released after shortening their name from the Young Rascals to The Rascals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37SSreTW1Ss
1. “Here Comes the Sun”
The lyrics of this George Harrison song are simple but say everything it needs to—the sun is coming out to melt away winter and return smiles to our faces. It is from the Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road. This is one of my favorite songs! I particularly love the meter changes and use of a Moog synthesizer.
Harrison wrote “Here Comes the Sun” at the house of his friend Eric Clapton. He says this in his autobiography, I, Me, Mine:
“Here Comes the Sun” was written at the time when Apple was getting like school, where we had to go and be businessmen: ‘Sign this’ and ‘sign that.’ Anyway, it seems as if winter in England goes on forever, by the time spring comes you really deserve it. So one day I decided I was going to sag off Apple and I went over to Eric Clapton’s house. The relief of not having to go see all those dopey accountants was wonderful, and I walked around the garden with one of Eric’s acoustic guitars and wrote “Here Comes the Sun.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUNqsfFUwhY
Top Ten Songs about Spring — Honorable Mentions
“Spring (Among the Living)”
From 2015, this song by My Morning Jacket is slow and evocative. The message is that people like to stay inside during the winter, similar to how animals like to hibernate—but when spring arrives it is time to get out and start roaming again.
“Season Suite: Late Winter, Early Spring (When Everybody Goes to Mexico)”
This beautiful instrumental piece was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, and Dick Kniss for the 1972 album Rocky Mountain High.
“Spring Fever”
Written by Bernie Baum, Bill Giant, and Florence Kaye, the song is fun and catchy. Elvis Presley recorded “Spring Fever” in 1965 for the movie Girl Happy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcfqNqKayS0
“Southland In The Springtime”
This song is all about spring in the south. Specific aspects of springtime paint a vibrant picture—
the smell of diesel, black coffee, farmland like a tapestry, and a bag of boiled peanuts. The song is incredibly descriptive and poetic. Written by Emily Ann Saliers, it is on the third studio album (1990), Nomads Indians Saints by Indigo Girls.
“Spring Is Here”
This popular song was composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical I Married an Angel (1938). The song, about unrequited love, is melancholy, but beautiful. One of the more popular versions is by Frank Sinatra.
“Waiting for the Sun”
This song is on the third studio album, Waiting for the Sun (1968), by the Doors. Jim Morrison said that he wanted to create a song unlike anything he had written before, one that was a pure expression of joy. This mellow rock song celebrates the arrival of spring after the wet, cold days of winter.
“It Might as Well be Spring”
This song is from the 1945 film State Fair. Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. The restless nature of the song is precisely what makes it memorable. It tells a story of trying to find excitement in one’s life, and uses the idea of spring as a symbol of hope and happiness.
“Spring Vacation”
Mike Love reportedly wrote this song in just 5 minutes. It was recorded by The Beach Boys.
“Spring Affair”
It was written by Donna Summer for her 1976 album Four Seasons of Love.
“A Father’s First Spring”
By The Avett Brothers, this song is about a different kind of love—that of a father for a newborn daughter. The Avett Brothers compare the life of a newborn to the beginning of spring.
And . . . an older song that deserves a mention
“April Showers Bring May Flowers”
This 1921 popular song was composed by Louis Silvers with lyrics by B. G. De Sylva. The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo, where it was performed by Al Jolson. It became a well-known Jolson standard. It has also been recorded by many other artists.
Spike Jones and Doodles Weaver produced a parody that began with the lyrics: “When April showers, she never closes the curtain . . ”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWWVGyxvSCk
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9sn8CRFVmg
And . . . an even older song about spring
“Now Is the Month of Maying”
This song is one of the most famous English ballets, similar to a madrigal. Written by Thomas Morley and published in 1595, the song delights in bawdy double-entendre. It is about spring dancing, but this is a metaphor for making love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ7VirCScp0
or this version which includes fife and drum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcpZWsDT6ug
Now is the month of maying, When merry lads are playing, Fa la la la la la la la la, Fa la la la la la la lah. Each with his bonny lass Upon the greeny grass. Fa la la la la la la la la, etc... The Spring, clad all in gladness, Doth laugh at Winter's sadness, Fa la la, etc... And to the bagpipe's sound The nymphs tread out their ground. Fa la la, etc... Fie then! why sit we musing, Youth's sweet delight refusing? Fa la la, etc... Say, dainty nymphs, and speak, Shall we play barley break? Fa la la etc...
Songs that evoke the feeling of spring without explicitly mentioning spring deserve a mention!
“Daydream”
The Lovin’ Spoonful (1966)
“Grazing in the Grass”
Friends of Distinction (1969)
“Mr. Blue Sky”
Electric Light Orchestra (1977)
“Up With the Birds”
Coldplay (2012)
Can you think of other songs about spring? Let me know in the comments.
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