Summer may be coming to an end, but we don’t have to let it go from our hearts. Jacob Collier is keeping that spirit of freedom and friendship alive with a gorgeous rendition of the Beach Boys‘ deep cut, “Keep An Eye On Summer,” which is streaming now.
The original, written by the genius Brian Wilson and Bob Norberg, is in 12/8 and elicits feelings of nostalgia with the group’s signature vocal harmonies and a jangly guitar. Collier makes it his own by dropping the drums for an intimate acoustic rendition. Of course, his arrangement also includes his own sense of harmony with huge, rich walls of layered vocals.
“I have loved this song since the moment I first heard it as a youngster. It captures so beautifully that melancholic, earnest sophistication of The Beach Boys’ early days – all that wonderful close harmony,” Collier explains. “On Summer Solstice last year, in June of 2024, I spontaneously decided to record a rendition of the song, for fun; it took me around four hours or so. This is it, in its rough, unfettered form. In lieu of Brian’s passing a few months ago, it felt right to share it with the world, as an homage to him, as this summer comes to a close.”
The accompanying animated video also gives the feeling of reconnecting with an old friend. Check it out, then check out the lead sheet for “Keep An Eye On Summer” to imagine your own version.
