Don Henley "The Boys Of Summer"

Rock 'n roll Americana at its best, "The Boys of Summer" may be what The Beach Boys sounded like if they were more into synths and soloists.

Henley delivers one of his most iconic vocal performances (rivaling his work with The Eagles) and lets loose on each chorus, bringing it down for a moment before belting the final lines and each bridge.

The 1980s were a time of musical experimentation, and "The Boys of Summer" plays with reverb, synthesizers, and echo effects in ways some songs had in the past -- but not in such a stripped-down fashion for a strictly pop performance.

The lyrics evoke visions of summer grandeur and fun but remind listeners that -- at some point -- the fun ends, and everyone goes home.

The song holds a special place in my heart. When I lived near the Lake Michigan beaches in Grand Haven, I would play this song with my roof open and windows down, watching people turn and nod approval at intersections.

Although I drove an Oldsmobile back then, my last four cars have been Cadillacs, and cannot tell you how often I've wanted to get the license plate "DNTLKBK" and put a Deadhead sticker on the rear bumper.

Location: Michigan, USA

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