Spencer’s easy-listening voice, versatile piano playing, unpretentious original compositions and charming personality have earned him acclaim from coast to coast. He has appeared on national television four times and performed at some of the finest and established music venues in the United States.
Born in Utah, Spencer was raised in rural Arizona, primarily by a single mom who is a music teacher, lyric soprano and a devotee of musical theater. His mother, Jeannie, has had a profound influence on his musical pursuit. Spencer currently resides in Los Angeles.
Largely self-taught, Day’s work reveals the influences of such diverse composers as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Joni Mitchell, Carol King, John Lennon and Paul Simon. In his music, one can hear his humanism, vulnerability and universal melodic phrasing.
“I want to create a passionate fusion of all the musical styles that have inspired me,” Day says. “As I grow as an artist, I hope to continue paying homage to the great artists who have shaped my style and sensibilities. I want to create music that is smooth and sophisticated but teeming with raw emotion and fire under the surface. It is in life’s contradictions where the most beautiful things are created.”
A prolific composer and self-proclaimed perfectionist, Day has devoted himself to his career. His hard work has been paying off. Since he was a featured performer at the 2007 San Francisco Jazz Festival, he has been a perennial favorite in the Bay Area, headlining at Yoshi’s, the Plush Room, the Great American Music Hall and the Herbst Theatre. In New York City, Spencer received rave reviews in Time Out and Backstage magazines, having performed to enthusiastic audiences at the Town Hall, Joe’s Pub, and the Canal Room. He has headlined at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, The Sheldon Concert Hall in St Louis, and the Dakota in Minneapolis.
Spencer recently opened for Rufus Wainwright at the Napa Valley Opera House and appeared at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, by the invitation of Jazz legend Marian McPartland in celebration of her 90th birthday. This is followed by the Monterey Jazz Festival and a full schedule of touring overseas and throughout this country in concert with the October, 2008 release of “Vagabond.”.
Spencer recorded his newest CD with Yair Evnine, his longtime guitarist/cellist; Grammy-nominated master drummer Scott Amendola (Charlie Hunter) and renowned bassist Jon Evans (Tori Amos). Artistically, it’s a triumphant collaboration.
Day’s creativity also includes composing musical theater. In 2005, he collaborated with Rafe Chase on a full-length musical, “Someday, Love,” which was performed at San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theater. Spencer starred in the show in addition to writing its score.
He has composed more than 60 tunes and recorded two well-received albums, “Introducing Spencer Day” (2004) and “Movie of Your Life” (2005). The song “Movie of Your Life” won San Francisco Academy of Art University’s 2005 competition for best original song. The resulting music video, produced by the school’s faculty and students, was selected by Dolby Laboratories as a demonstration video for the global launch of the Dolby 7.1 system.
“Ultimately, what matters most is the music,” says Spencer. “Whatever I do, whatever I sing, my primary goal is to keep it pure and honest.”
SUMMER
Spencer Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dream of an innocent time, dear
Flowers and 4th of Julys, dear
Summer is still on my mind
Summer, a bitter sweet lemonade
Under kaleidoscope shade
We, lay as the sunlight was fading
Now it has gone away
But like it was yesterday
Ref:
(That) I can remember
I still remember
When everyday was bright and golden
As the sun
I can remember
Can you remember?
When we were unafraid to take life
As it comes
I dream of a Summer
Fading as fast as a Tan
Just like a wave still in sand
From under your feet where the land was
Summer can slip through your hands
Lover you were so gentle and warm
But left to weather the winter
Fair-weather love can turn bitter
Fair-weather love can turn cold
And though it was long ago
I thought you ought to know
Repeat ref 2X
Summer, hopelessly lost to the past
But time will make greener the grass, dear
Nothing so perfect can last dear
Nothing so prefect can last dear
Nothing so perfect can last. . .
The lyrics of Spencer Day's "Summer" reflect on how the past memories of summer are cherished by the singer. The song opens with the singer mentioning the pictures that play in his mind about an innocent time of flowers and Fourth of July. Although summer is long gone, the memories of it are still fresh in the singer's mind.
The lyrics further describe the bittersweet moments of summer. The singer describes the shade of kaleidoscope, where they lay as the sunlight was fading. And while they had a wonderful time, summer was fading away. The singer reflects on how summer can slip through your hands just like the wave slipping under your feet on the beach.
The song also touches on how love can turn cold, just like a fair-weather love can turn bitter as soon as the season changes. The singer, however, wants to hold on to the memories of summer as they are perfect and cannot last forever.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are very relatable as everyone has fond memories of summer, and the song captures this sentiment perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer, pictures that play in my mind
Memories of summer that I still vividly recollect
Dream of an innocent time, dear
Remembering the days of childlike joy and innocence
Flowers and 4th of Julys, dear
Nostalgic thoughts of festive celebrations and beautiful natural surroundings
Summer is still on my mind
The memories of summer are still fresh in my mind
Summer, a bitter sweet lemonade
Summer presents both sweet and bitter experiences, much like lemonade
Under kaleidoscope shade
Beneath the colorful and changing shades of trees or other objects in the sun
We, lay as the sunlight was fading
We were lying down and relaxing as the sun started to set
Summer was fading away
The summer season was ending
Now it has gone away
Summer has passed and is no longer present
But like it was yesterday
Despite the time that has passed, it feels like summer was just yesterday
I can remember
I have memories of a time in the past
Can you remember?
Asking if someone else also recalls the same memories
When everyday was bright and golden
Remembering a time when every day had a joyful and blissful feeling
Summer, hopelessly lost to the past
Summer memories cannot be recreated in the present and remain in the past
But time will make greener the grass, dear
With time, new possibilities and opportunities will sprout up
Nothing so perfect can last dear
Even the most perfect and cherished memories or experiences have to come to an end
Summer can slip through your hands
Summer can be short-lived and pass by very quickly
Lover you were so gentle and warm
Recalling a past lover who was kind and comforting
But left to weather the winter
Despite the warmth shared during summer, that relationship eventually cooled off
Fair-weather love can turn bitter
Relationships built solely on good times and easy situations can experience conflict and heartache
Fair-weather love can turn cold
Even the best relationships can experience a change in dynamics or lose their warmth, just like the seasons
Though it was long ago, I thought you ought to know
Despite the time that has passed, I wanted to communicate the impact that past relationship had on me
Contributed by Chloe Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.