Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
Jenny and the Summer Day
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
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I have a car, I have a dime
Baby, Baby
I know that won't buy anything
But I would steal you anything
Baby, Baby
The sun is hot, the wind is cool
And we are finally out of school
Well I'm in love what can I say
With Jenny and the summer day
Baby, Baby, Baby
What a darling summer time
Come on in the water's fine
Baby, Baby
I know that you're afraid to swim
So I'll stay in the shallow end
Baby, Baby
The sun is hot, the wind is cool
And we are finally out of school
Baby, Baby
Well I'm in love what can I say
The sunlight burned my fear away
Baby, Baby
Ninety and risin'
Soon we'll have to hide out in the shade
Somewhere it's rainin'
And baby I can almost hear you say
That you love me
And the summer day
That you love me
What a darling summer time
I have a home in Carolina
Baby, Baby
Not far from the city lights
But we can see the stars at night
Baby, Baby
The day was hot, tonight is cool
And we are finally out of school
Baby, Baby
Well I'm in love what can I say
With Jenny and the summer day
Ninety and risin'
Soon we'll have to hide out in the shade
Somewhere it's rainin'
And baby I can almost hear you say
That you love me
And the summer day
That you love me
In "Jenny and the Summer Day," The Avett Brothers sing about the magic of young love during summer. The singer describes the season as a "darling" time, and how he has a car and a dime, which means nothing in terms of material possessions, but he would steal anything for his love, Jenny. Their days are filled with simple pleasures: swimming, feeling the warmth of the sun mixed with the cool breeze of the wind, and sitting beneath the stars. The singer admits he's in love with Jenny and the summer day, and that she has helped him overcome his fears.
The song's chorus, "Ninety and risin', soon we'll have to hide out in the shade," highlights the heat of summer, which can be stifling at times. However, the singer isn't fazed by it; he enjoys the warmth and even personifies it by saying, "The sunlight burned my fear away." The couple is in the present moment, enjoying the time they have together, and not worrying about what the future holds. The song ends with the singer mentioning that Jenny is from Carolina, and how they can see the stars at night from there. "Jenny and the Summer Day" is a nostalgic tribute to a simpler time in life, where the freedom of youth mixed with the perfection of summer made everything feel magical.
Line by Line Meaning
What a darling summer time
The time of summer is lovely and sweet
I have a car, I have a dime
I have a car and a small amount of money
Baby, Baby
An endearment to the singer's lover
I know that won't buy anything
The small amount of money won't get them anything significant
But I would steal you anything
The artist would do anything to get something for their lover
The sun is hot, the wind is cool
The weather is hot and windy
And we are finally out of school
The singer and their lover are no longer in school
Well I'm in love what can I say
The artist is in love with their lover
With Jenny and the summer day
The artist is in love with their lover Jenny and the summer day
Come on in the water's fine
The water is good for swimming and the artist's lover should come in
I know that you're afraid to swim
The singer's lover is scared to swim
So I'll stay in the shallow end
The artist will stay in the shallow part of the water with their lover
The sunlight burned my fear away
Being in the sun helped the singer overcome their fear
Ninety and risin'
The temperature is increasing and nearing ninety degrees
Soon we'll have to hide out in the shade
The increasing temperature will force the singer and their lover to seek shelter in the shade
Somewhere it's rainin'
It is raining somewhere else
And baby I can almost hear you say
The artist believes they can hear their lover expressing their love
That you love me
The singer's lover loves them
I have a home in Carolina
The singer has a house in Carolina
Not far from the city lights
The house is near the lights of the city
But we can see the stars at night
Despite being near the city, they can still see the stars
The day was hot, tonight is cool
The day was hot but the night has gotten cooler
That you love me
The singer's lover loves them
And the summer day
The artist and their lover love the summer day
That you love me
The singer's lover loves them
Contributed by Liliana L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.