100 Songs of Summer #21 “Island in the Sun” by Weezer

The joys of summer are simple here on the East End, as long as we’re sitting or surfing or sandcastle building on the very place that inspires the latest in our Top 100 Songs of Summer Countdown.

Hamptons 100 Songs of Summer #21

“Island in the Sun” by Weezer

Not to be confused with Harry Belafonte’s dreamier song of the same name, this August 2001 release became the second single off The Green Album, but were it not for producer Ric Ocasek (of Cars and Paulina Porizkova fame), it likely wouldn’t have made the album at all. A modest U.S. hit on its release that has gained acclaim over the past dozen summers, the song found international appeal as well, charting in the Top 40 in Australia, England and France. Now an essential part of our soundtrack of summer, its sunny disposition has landed it on myriad movie soundtracks as well, from Adam Sandler’s Mr. Deeds to John Cussack’s Serendipity. It has become so seasonally iconic, even the Weather Channel has adopted it to bring some feel-good vibe to its updates.

Come on, sing along: On an island in the sun/We’ll be playin’ an’ havin’ fun/And it makes me feel so fine/I can’t control my brain