This standard classic is from the 1971 American "coming-of-age" motion-picture, "Summer of '42", a dramatization based on the memoirs of screenwriter Herman Raucher, which tells the story of the author as a boy in his early teens on his 1942 summer vacation on Nantucket Island, off the coast of New England, who embarked on a one-sided romance with a woman whose husband had gone off to fight in World War II.
The film's soundtrack consists almost entirely of compositions by Legrand, many of which are variants of "The Summer Knows", the movie's main theme.
The Summer Knows
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And unashamed, she sheds her clothes
The summer smooths the restless sky
And lovingly she warms the sand on which you lie
The summer knows, the summer's wise
She sees the doubts within your eyes
And so she takes her summer time
Twists the world 'round her summer finger
Lets you see the wonder of her arm ?
And if you've learned your lesson well
There's little more for her to tell
One last caress, it's time to dress for fall
The summer knows, the summer's wise
She sees the doubts within your eyes
And so she takes her summer time
Tells the moon to wait and the sun to linger
Twists the world 'round her summer finger
Lets you see the wonder of her arms ?
And if you've learned your lesson well
There's little more for her to tell
One last caress, it's time to dress for fall
The Summer Knows, by Scott Walker is a beautiful and evocative song that personifies the essence of the season in the form of a wise, all-knowing woman. The lyrics describe the warmer months, which are personified as a woman, who sheds everything, including her clothes, as she smiles and warms the earth. The song conveys the message that summer knows how to take control and allows us to see the wonder in life when we are open to it.
The lyrics suggest that summer is a time when we can let go of our doubts and enjoy life. The song alludes to the fleeting nature of the season, as it comes and goes quickly, and so it encourages us to live and appreciate the moments we have before they are gone. The summer, according to the lyrics, knows us inside and out, and by the end of it, we should have learned our lessons as it is time to dress for fall. Overall, the song is a beautiful ode to summer and the lessons it teaches us.
Line by Line Meaning
The summer smiles, the summer knows
Summer is blissful and well-aware of what's happening.
And unashamed, she sheds her clothes
Summer is fearless and confident in shedding its coverings.
The summer smooths the restless sky
Summer pacifies the fickle and inconstant sky.
And lovingly she warms the sand on which you lie
Summer warmly heats the sand beneath you, on which you recline.
The summer knows, the summer's wise
Summer is intelligent and knowledgeable about what's going on.
She sees the doubts within your eyes
Summer can perceive the uncertainties hidden within your gaze.
And so she takes her summer time
Summer uses its period wisely and efficiently.
Tells the moon to wait and the sun to linger
Summer commands the astronomical bodies to hesitate and linger.
Twists the world 'round her summer finger
Summer has the world on a leash, with the ability to control it according to its will.
Lets you see the wonder of her arm ?
Summer allows you to witness the wonder of its power.
And if you've learned your lesson well
If you have grasped the teachings well.
There's little more for her to tell
There's hardly anything left for summer to explain or convey.
One last caress, it's time to dress for fall
One final touch before you gear up for autumn.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHEL JEAN LEGRAND, ALAN BERGMAN, MARILYN BERGMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Willem Vandeursen
In the sixties and early seventies Michel Legrand wrote SO many beautiful themes. I heard other vocal versions of The Summer Knows, but Scott's recording is amazing.
Eduardo Guedes
Sempre vou amar essa música linda ❤️❤️🤩
cullou toltec
the man's voice together with the out of the ordinary orchestral arrangement make for a veritable aural treasure
TheDaddyO44
First time I've heard Scott's version of this, and what an incredible arrangement. Fabulous , thanks
Lynette Nortman
Awesome. He truly touches my soul!
wellandtruly joshed
Beautiful man beautiful voice ❤️ RIP Scott 💔 You so loved the movies 😢👏
fdonasci
I thought i was the only one to love this song . . . Ah! the memories it brings back!! Pensei que só eu gostava dessa música . . . Haja lembranças de velhos tempos!
Jack Applegarth
Great song , superb lyrics. As ever,you sure can pick them , thanks Guida.
John Eunson
walker manages to get 'inside' this lyric. he weaves a magic spell. great stuff. thank you.
Janet Wood
This song is on the album The Moviegoer. I've got a copy of this film & I love it. You should hear Scott sinihg the theme tune Wait Until Dark from the film of the same name.