summertime

George Gershwin's languid lullaby embodies the lazy season of summer and is a jazz folk classic that has been recorded in over two thousand five hundred versions. The song was composed in 1935 for 'Porgy and Bess', an opera based on a novel by DuBose Heyward. Gershwin set DuBose Heyward's poem to music in the style of African-American spirituals and the slowly swaying notes evoke the South Carolina setting of his jazz opera.

Billie Holiday was the first to have a pop hit with the song in 1936.

Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald did their version in 1957.

Billy Stewart had the highest charting hit version in 1966.

Janis Joplin's version with Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1968.

The Doors from 'Live In Boston' as part of a medley with 'Light My Fire' and 'Fever' in 1970.

Sublime based 'Doin' Time' on 'Summertime' in 1996.

Morcheeba from 'Red Hot + Rhapsody, a tribute to George Gershwin' released in 1998.

Fantasia Barino did this version on 'American Idol' in 2004.

Summertime,

And the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin'

And the cotton is high

Oh, Your daddy's rich

And your mamma's good lookin'

So hush little baby

Don't you cry

One of these mornings

You're going to rise up singing

Then you'll spread your wings

And you'll take to the sky

But until that morning

There's a'nothing can harm you

With your daddy and mammy standing by

Summertime,

And the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin'

And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich

And your mamma's good lookin'

So hush little baby

Don't you cry