Cover of Bananarama's Cruel Summer.
Cruel Summer
Ace of Base Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit around
Trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry
Strange voices are saying (ah, what did they say)
Things I can't understand
It's too close for comfort
This heat has got right out of hand
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer
Now you're gone
You're not the only one
It's a cruel
The city is crowded, my friends are away, and I'm on my own
It's too hot to handle so I gotta get up and go, and go
It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer
Now you're gone
You're not the only one
It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
(Leaving me) Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer
Now you're gone
You're not the only one
It's a cruel
Now don't you leave me
Now don't you leave me
Now don't you leave me
Come on, come on
Now don't you leave me
Now don't you leave me
Now don't you leave me
Come on, come on
It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer (cruel summer)
Leaving me here on my own (leaving me here all alone)
It's a cruel (it's a cruel) cruel summer (cruel summer)
(Don't leave me, leave me in this summer)
You're not the only one (you're not the only one)
It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer (cruel summer)
(You're not the only one at home)
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer (cruel summer)
Now you're gone
You're not the only one (it's a cruel summer)
Cruel summer (cruel summer)
It's a cruel summer (it's a cruel)
Cruel summer (cruel summer)
It's a cruel summer
The lyrics of Ace of Base's "Cruel Summer" describe a summer that is difficult to bear. The heat is oppressive, the streets are overcrowded, and the singer is alone while their friends are away. The air is so dry that it seems to weigh on the singer, and they hear strange voices saying things they can't understand. The use of the word "cruel" in the chorus suggests an emotional pain, possibly from a recent breakup or lost love, that is being intensified by the heat and isolation. The singer pleads with someone in the final lines not to leave them, indicating that they are seeking human connection in a difficult time.
The song was originally recorded by the English band Bananarama in 1983, and Ace of Base covered it a decade later for their album "The Sign." The Swedish pop group added a reggae beat to the song, which is reminiscent of their other hits from the same album. "Cruel Summer" was a hit in Europe and reached the top 10 in several countries, including the UK and Germany. It was less successful in the US, where it peaked at #10 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning
The weather is very hot and walking outside feels uncomfortable.
I sit around
I am idle and not doing anything productive or engaging.
Trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry
Despite my discomfort, I try to put on a cheerful face, but the oppressive heat is making it difficult.
Strange voices are saying (ah, what did they say)
I hear unfamiliar sounds or voices, and I am curious about their meaning.
Things I can't understand
The words or messages being conveyed are beyond my comprehension.
It's too close for comfort
The situation is becoming threatening or stressful and I feel unsafe or uneasy.
This heat has got right out of hand
The temperature is too extreme and unbearable, causing discomfort and distress.
It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
The summer is harsh and unfriendly, causing me emotional distress.
Leaving me here on my own
I am feeling abandoned or deserted by others.
Now you're gone
Someone has left or abandoned me, adding to my feeling of loneliness.
You're not the only one
Others have also left or abandoned me, and I am not the only one experiencing this.
The city is crowded, my friends are away, and I'm on my own
Despite being surrounded by people in the city, I feel isolated and lonely because my friends are not with me.
It's too hot to handle so I gotta get up and go, and go
The heat is too much for me to tolerate, and I need to leave this environment to find relief.
Now don't you leave me
I am pleading with someone not to abandon or leave me alone.
Come on, come on
I am encouraging someone to stay with me and not leave me on my own.
(Don't leave me, leave me in this summer)
I am asking someone not to leave me alone during this difficult and challenging season.
(You're not the only one at home)
I am not the only one feeling alone and vulnerable in this situation.
It's a cruel summer
The summer season is challenging and difficult, causing emotional distress and loneliness.
Cruel summer
The summer season is harsh and unforgiving, causing emotional pain and distress.
Now you're gone
Someone who was once with me is no longer present.
It's a cruel
The current situation is extremely difficult and unpleasant.
(leaving me here all alone)
I am feeling deserted and abandoned by those who were once with me.
Cruel summer
The summer season is particularly trying and challenging.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Keren Woodward, Tony Swain, Steven Jolley, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Maire Deirdre Fahey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ace of Base
U.S. Version. Taken from the album "Cruel Summer" (1998 )
▶️ Stream / Download: https://ace-of-base.ffm.to/cruel-summer.rvs
► See more videos here: http://smarturl.it/AoB.YouTubeVideos
► The Home Video: http://smarturl.it/AoBHomeVideoYouTube
Credits
● Director: Nigel Dick
Shot in Rome between 27 and 29 June 1998
Ace of Base
U.S. Version. Taken from the album "Cruel Summer" (1998 )
▶️ Stream / Download: https://ace-of-base.ffm.to/cruel-summer.rvs
► See more videos here: http://smarturl.it/AoB.YouTubeVideos
► The Home Video: http://smarturl.it/AoBHomeVideoYouTube
Credits
● Director: Nigel Dick
Shot in Rome between 27 and 29 June 1998
Oumi sawsima
😭😭😭
F G
Miss you guys! ♥️
rayan cedric Haddad
My Favorite Ace of Base Song. Wonderful!
Fernanda 🖤💫
Memories!❤❤❤
Giovanny Ramírez Gutierrez
Gracias por subirlo!
Mr.Reckless
This is what real music is supposed to sound like. I'm proud to be a part of the 90's era.
melissa checkland
Me too!
John Hynes
Bananarama, the original and best
SHAOKAHNSCOUSIN
Same, RLP brought some great bangers too tho. I could recognize that logo from a mile away. Lol