Artist: Public Warning
Title: Summer of '09
Genre(s): Electronica, Dream Pop, Synthpop
Length: 4:36
Writer: C.L.Alafouzos, M.Dempsey, B.Elliot, D.Harding, Z.Lyons
Producer: EdIt.
Label: Independent - PW Recordings
From The Album: TBC

Summer of '09 is a song by British-Irish boy band Public Warning. The track was released worldwide on June 2nd 2019 and serves as the group's second single, set to be included on their freshman album later this year. "Summer of '09" is a synth/dream pop song with elements of electronica and R&B and has been noted for its "ethereal" and "sparse" soundscape. The song is filled with multi-layered harmonies from the group, creating an echoing and melancholic feel. Public Warning vocalise as a five piece harmonic group with each member having a designated role and unique tone, blending their combination of tenor and baritone voices to form a solid harmony. Beau Elliot serves as the lead singer. Elliot again drives the majority of the track not unlike their debut single. "Summer of '09" marks the solo vocal debut of Myles Dempsey, who had no individual lines on "Pillowtalkin'". Only Beau and Myles have solo vocal moments on this track. The track was produced by EdIt and written by all five members of the band with the very original version being coined by member Myles Dempsey. Lyrically, the song is masked as "an ode to an old love or friendship that is impossible to rekindle" but in actuality, the track is dedicated to the memory of Myles' father who passed away last year. It references a family holiday from 2009 and how Dempsey yearns to see his father again.

Speaking on the track, lead singer Beau Elliot had this to say;



Critical reception of "Summer of '09" has been universally positive thus far. It was sent out to select media outlets as part of a promotional five track album sampler in early March 2019. Brianna Harrington of Culture Uncut praised the "maturity" of the group and the lyrical content of the song, stating that "the lyrics are so far beyond their young years". Harrington gave further comments on the song, highlighting its production and the ambiguity of the subject matter; "Despite the very 90's influenced sound with elements of electronica vibes from that period it's an emotional and nostalgic nod to a time in their life. It's about loss in many numbers of ways, whether it's the loss of better times, the loss of a loved one or the loss of innocence. It's beautiful whichever way you interpret the song," she opined. Multiple critics have also lauded the production, comparing it to the works of William Orbit and Madonna's electronica infused "Ray of Light" album. Tessa Meeks of The Times said that the combination of "steely harmonies and lush electronic textures" was an "appealing throwback" and a "welcome change to radio". The Observer's Lauren Coppola commented "Summer of '09 is intimate and hauntingly beautiful, with the chorus equivalent of a car window being opened on a boiling summer night as you roll down memory lane".

Summer of '09

All
Beau
Carter
Declan
Myles
Zander

I pick my head up off my tear-stained pillow
Today's gonna be a good one, remembering the great times
The postcard we took together sits at my window
The sounds of your laugh runs round and round in my mind
Didn't mind the sunburn or the sand between my toes
You were there and nothing mattered, was the time of our lives

I love the feeling of the warm sun
It shines bright like my favourite memories
As it rises, I wish I could return
Seems like I can only visit there in my dreams
You're not there in the morning
But believe that you'll forever stay with me

Back in the day we were kicking it like crazy
Running free just like our hearts into the night
Just laughing like idiots and campfire dancing
No rest for the wicked, stay up to morning light
We lived fast and wild through that July haze
Wish I could turn the clock back to that age
But I promise you that we will meet again
And live like we're back in summer of '09, oh ay

I thought I saw you by the pond one Thursday
Guess it was just wishful thinking, could never be true
I wrote a song for you to jam out to someday
That day never comes, each summer just grows more cruel
Remember strumming the guitar and rockin' the night away?
Well I still do it and play your favourite chords for you

I love the feeling of the warm sun
It shines bright like my favourite memories
As it rises, I wish I could return
Seems like I can only visit there in my dreams
You're not there in the morning
But believe that you'll forever stay with me

Back in the day we were kicking it like crazy
Running free just like our hearts into the night
Just laughing like idiots and campfire dancing
No rest for the wicked, stay up to morning light
We lived fast and wild through that July haze
Wish I could turn the clock back to that age
But I promise you that we will meet again
And live like we're back in summer of '09, oh ay

Back in summer of
Back in summer of
Back in summer of '09, oh ay
Back in summer of
Back in summer of
Back in summer of '09, oh ay

I'll take the coach down to the place of my daydreams
Same time, same place, how about it, you and me?
No, I don't think that I can wait much longer
The sky dims as I hang around for your answer
The sand slips through my fingers just like the hourglass

Back in the day we were kicking it like crazy
Running free just like our hearts into the night
Just laughing like idiots and campfire dancing
No rest for the wicked, stay up to morning light
We lived fast and wild through that July haze
Wish I could turn the clock back to that age
But I promise you that we will meet again
And live like we're back in summer of '09, oh ay

Back in summer of
Back in summer of
Back in summer of '09, oh ay
Back in summer of
Back in summer of
Back in summer of '09, oh ay

We lived fast and wild through that July haze
Wish I could turn the clock back to that age
But I promise you that we will meet again
And live like we're back in summer of '09, oh ay

Back in summer of
Back in summer of
Back in summer of '09, oh ay
Back in summer of
Back in summer of
Back in summer of '09, oh ay

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