One Hit Wonders #16: “In The Summertime” by Mungo Jerry (Pye Records 1970)

British band Mungo Jerry soared to Number One on the pop charts not just here in America, but all over the world with their joyous skiffle-rock ode to summer fun “In The Summertime”:

Mungo Jerry at the time of their smash success were Ray Dorset (vocals, guitar), Colin Earl (piano), Mike Cole (bass), and Paul King (banjo, jug). Members came and went rapidly, but Dorset was always the one constant. The huge international success of “In The Summertime” led to a U.S. tour, and though the Jerries never scored another hit, “In The Summertime” remains a perennial on Classic Rock radio, especially at this time of year.

Something I always wondered was where on Earth did they come up with the name Mungo Jerry. So I did some intense research (ok, I looked it up on their Wikipedia page) and discovered the band was named after a poem in T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” titled “Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer”. Who knew both Ray Dorset and Andrew Lloyd Webber drew their musical inspiration from the same source? Anyway, have a safe and happy summer, one and all!