Boys of Summer explained by Mike Campbell

Don Henly’s “Boys of Summer” explained by none other than Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
More information on this song than you can find anywhere, the hidden context, mystery and story behind this classic hit

[@SJM6791]

Whenever I hear the “Boys of Summer” song I’m immediately transported back to my youth. A time in my life when I was free from stress and the world was full of endless possibilities. Phenomenal song!!

[@carlgerde]

Bittersweet for me, having surfed in California in the mid-1960's, with a group of friends, then things changed and fell apart in the 1970's and beyond.

[@Skama1975]

Me too!

[@SoulfulJim1]

It is a special song for me too for that reason.

[@tefenstrat]

Yes, Music has a way to take us back in time for sure. Its just wonderful Sometimes it can even bring back times i had totally forgotten about. :-) I am such a huge fan of the music from my youth that I can remember where I was and what I was doing the first time I heard many songs.

[@jrabonsound1913]

Same here man. Same here. Most of the best songs of our time came from that decade and before. I think I am only a year older than you just guessing by your KZbin (profile name) user name …whatever it’s called . Lol. 👊🏼🎵🎸🎵🤟🏼

[@tgsiii2179]

I never realized Mike wrote the music for Boys of Summer......one of the most perfect pop/rock songs ever. It's a great day when you learn something new.

[@Zero8880]

He also wrote the music for Don Henley's "Heart of the Matter", 2 of Henley's best songs.

[@petergunn3614]

@@Zero8880 I was young back then and never knew Mike even worked with Don until I bought "End of the Innocence" and was looking at the inlay card with a big picture of the band and Mike was standing there with Stan Lynch in the pic. hahaha.

[@Zero8880]

@@petergunn3614 Right? It's crazy seeing all the connections between the great musicians of youth bc we didn't have the internet back then. Like how Henley's bandmate, Don Felder, knew Tom Petty from their Gainesville days, and he taught Petty how to play the guitar. And Henley's connection to Kenny Rogers, or Glenn Frey's connection to Bob Seger.

[@petergunn3614]

@@Zero8880 Yea it's pretty awesome, I remember when I listened to Felder tell that story of how little Tommy Petty wanted to learn the guitar.

[@eamonstafford2056]

I didn't know he was close to foreclosing on his House! That is a very stressful situation to be in. Glad this wonderful song pulled him out of it.

[@sniffableandirresistble]

Was a serious hit and still one of the best songs ever written

[@DavidBoeff]

G j

[@rman52]

Nah. Just a good gong.

[@sniffableandirresistble]

@Fully Duff what do you consider to be the 3 all time best songs ever written in rock and roll?

[@fullyduff5336]

@@sniffableandirresistble kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3vPnqmqdq2bpMU

[@rman52]

@@sniffableandirresistble What a great question. Made my head spin.

[@Sonicnuance]

He's never wastes a note or plays a bad one. One of the greatest guitarists around.

[@dannilaser16]

Him, and my other favorite singer/ guitarist with the same last name( Glen Campbell)

[@997JM]

Mozart was infamous for using too many notes. There are in fact, so many notes an ear can hear in the course of an evening. 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmfClqSunZKEpc0

[@Doomxeen]

Definitely! For many years now, I'll hear a very restrained but FANTASTIC guitar solo on a Heartbreakers track and I'll just say to myself "what an efficient little piece of music".

[@anthonymichaelhalloates2902]

Oh you know it! And he can play anything!! I like his early days where’d he’d play a 3min solo to Fooled Again.

[@jamesmurphy186]

My fave.

[@PasstheCapo]

Mike has inherited Tom’s speaking voice

[@johnrpizzaguy]

I didn’t really notice until you pointed it out. So true. Thank you

[@richardbosworth6635]

Nobody ever heard him talk while Tom Petty was alive. I’m sure there were reasons why that is so.

[@fframer1]

Starting to look like him too

[@hamsandwichson]

It was in his will.

[@400_billion_suns]

Seriously! I had to do a double take to make sure this wasn’t Tom with a wig!

[@angusmoffat]

'The Boys of Summer' is easily in my top ten list of favourite pop songs of all time. Mike Campbell is also an enormously underrated guitarist as well. Great story.

[@abellopez.]

The guy was in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Ginormously not underrated.

[@tolfred]

@@abellopez. maybe rather under-appreciated

[@artdonovandesign]

As a side note; every true musician is in AWE of the greatness of MC.

[@jamescarr4662]

No, this great guitarist is not 'underrated'. You are merely infected with the youtube comments section 'underrated' word fetish. I do wonder what drives this mass pathology from a psychological perspective..

[@user-bg2oi4bz3p]

Love that guitar. 40 years ago, I thought it was Mark Knopfler on guitar on that song.

[@chucklesmcgillicuddy5925]

About a year ago, I was driving and Boys of Summer came on the radio. Im 51, so of course I remember when the song came out and I’ve heard it hundreds of times. But as I was driving and listening, the guitar licks really caught my ear, and I found myself wondering who Henley hired to play guitar on that record, because it is just some amazing playing. I looked it up and found that, not only was it Mike Campbell, but that he wrote the music. So cool to now hear his story. Mike, you’re a phenomenal story teller. Thank you.

[@tallsoldier]

Look up the eagles boys of summer in australia 2005 the guitar solo is next level

[@Jcruzer70]

Absolutely a song of a generation. Being able to see Don perform it with The Eagles was a dream come true.

[@reesemorgan2259]

Aw...I wish I'd seen the Eagles. I didn't know Don had been allowed to play that solo song with his old band. It's a fantastic song, I always loved it. I never get sick of it.

[@Jcruzer70]

@@reesemorgan2259 Don does that and Joe Walsh goes off with his Jamesgang and solo tunes. If they are still touring I highly recommend seeing them. They played Hotel California in its entirety plus all the hits. About a 2 and a half hour show. Phenomenal!

[@execatty]

1985 was 17.. it's been my ring tone for 5 years.. those were glorious days for us and MTV. peace ✌️

[@remo1wodmnetwork9605]

This song is a Time Machine; It takes me back to the 80's and the best moments of my life. Thank you, Mike.

[@Teabonesteak]

This particular song is 80s for me.

[@theRandy712]

My first reaction was "don't you mean the 90's?", I could swear it came out around 1990. 1984!! Being old is weird

[@Prospect.1]

I feel that man I grew up in south n I luv tha lil stories they tell takes me back to a time b4 everything was so very socially politically correct when things where'nt perfect but they where fun lol nowadays i live on my memories

[@dankenton]

I can't put my Ray Bans on without thinking about this tune!

[@fivestring65ify]

This song is timeless. A classic among classics.

[@brianholm1404]

Every interview I hear with Mike, at some point he says, "I don't want to get too long winded..." or something to that affect. And as soon as he says that, THAT'S when he tells the BEST part of the story.

[@hazor777]

That guitar progression, to this day, is so catchy. It pulls you in , the guitar is almost like grabbing you by the shoulders , sitting you down and then pointing to a screen to make you watch. Something about that progression just grabs you. The tone, ...everything about that track is magic.

[@Hi-xs7wm]

Yes en that lick during the break is fantastic !

[@jamesparker1063]

agreed...and the guitar outro...pure magic!!

[@hazor777]

@@jamesparker1063 Absolutely. The outro , in a major key , just has this “that’s a wrap!” feeling , as if to say “you heard the message/story , and now here’s ‘The End’ “ - like it’s putting it to rest. I don’t think I ever get tired of listening to it , and the album is great , too

[@66meikou]

When I heard that song, It was just summer to me. Hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It still happens now. I'm so glad it happened for you especially at that time. Your hard work paid off!

[@thesaneparty4079]

Buck Dharma (Blue Oyster Cult member/write of Don't Fear the Reaper) was a guest on "That Metal Show". Host Eddie Trunk asked him out of the blue if there was a song that he wished he'd written, and without a second's hesitation he answered: "boys of summer", which completely stumped Trunk. A great song writer knows a great song.

[@patrikfaming9047]

This is one of my favorite songs ever. Mike Campbell on guitar and Don Henley on vocals. Creme’ de la creme’ in music🎸

[@johnobrien1528]

Amazing to think this could have been a Tom Petty hit. I love Tom Petty, but it needed a vocal monster like Don Henley.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Don't Forget Kooch he's on the guitar too ✌️👍

[@jackflash5659]

Terrific story and great song Mike. I loved "Boys of Summer" the first time I heard it in 1984 and still do to this date.

[@markallen2984]

I was never a huge Eagles fan, but "Building the Perfect Beast" is one of my favorite albums ever.... it actually gave me a new appreciation for the band

[@DC-ih8bv]

I absolutely love these stories. How a song was created from scratch is always a great story. Told so frankly by Mike. What a treat.

[@michaelsmyth5877]

Literally one of the best tracks every made, that melody just makes you feel q certain way and Don Henleys lyrics and vocals capture that perfectly

[@jamesbaskerville9800]

So true. There's 10 different emotions mixed up in that tune and lyrics. Amazing song.

[@sunburstmike8745]

So true! I was experiencing that exact story-line at the time (I was 23) so it really resonated. And for a long time I couldn't listen to song without remembering this crazy dame! But you know what ... as true as that experience did match up (it was scary ... Ray-Bans and all) I didn't need said experience to "HEAR" that song and groove on it. Thankfully the memory is long faded but not the tune ... except when I see a Deadhead sticker! Btw, OWNER OF A LONELY HEART has a similar vibe ...esp. the guitar.

[@dianeorehek4633]

One of the most iconic songs ever: reflects so much of growing up in America, with all its showboating over genuine tenderness.

[@sunburstmike8745]

@@dianeorehek4633 Really like the "slant" of your comment! I knew the bittersweet feelings but couldn't put them into words. Song really summed up a lot of feelings ... "coming of age", beginning our real adulthood etc. What's amazing is Campbell created a piece of music smack in the middle of the 80's (might've saved the decade ... haha) that one would now be hard-pressed to hear (or not hear) the time-period ... i.e. simply timeless!

[@eamonstafford2056]

@@sunburstmike8745 Trevor Rabin (a South African) was the genius behind that great song . A magnificent song.

[@agdrummer2610]

The 3 note lead part over those beautiful chords is what pulls me in. Then, Don's lyrics and melodies are so melancholy and nostalgic, you are hooked. Amazing song.

[@wyattblackwood3927]

You could never be long-winded when you're telling one of these stories, Awesome song, incredible story ! If you still have that demo I would give anything to hear it. Thanks for sharing !

[@dimitriospolymeros1497]

''I saw a deadhead sticker on a cadillac''- one of my favourite lyrics ever, on top of Campbell's beautiful riff. Btw , Henley simply wrote what he saw( a deadhead sticker on Joe Walsh's Cadillac ) but it sums up perfectly the baby boomer generation looking back at their ''glory days''. One of my favourite songs ever. This tune is to music what ''the big chill'' was to the movies.

[@wulf67]

It's one of my favorite lyrics, too, but don't be fooled by Henley's simple explanation. He understood the irony, the disillusioning implications, and the broader theme of the symbolism of the sticker and the Cadillac. Henley was a student of literature. The song's title comes from the poem 'I see the Boys of Summer' by Dylan Thomas. The song and the poem ( and most of Dylan Thomas's poetry as well as most of Henley's solo work) share common themes of the relentless passage of time, the loss of our innocence, the failure of the passionate idealism of our youth to weather life's ever-changing seasons, grieving the death of our ideals and our quest for meaning, hopelessly grasping in denial for redemption through nostalgia, and the wisdom that comes from this realization. It's about how the idealistic '60s became the cynical and hedonistic '70s which became the greedy, self-centered '80s, just like it's also about losing a summer love. But it's also, on a higher level, about universal themes that define our experience as human beings over the course of our lifetimes. Like everything else in this world, there is a deep meaning to be found in this song. It's just a question of how deep you're willing to look. The Boomers are not that different from you. They're just in a different place on this big conveyor belt to Hell we're all riding on.

[@dimitriospolymeros1497]

@@wulf67 Great analysis. Btw , I totally agree with your point- each generation can only be judged by the standards of their particular era, it is too easy to think that we are living at the end of History and judge them by today's standards. Many people read history from the end to the beggining.

[@brada1997]

@@wulf67 thank you so much for sharing this. I love learning the deeper meaning of things, especially the poetry that is the lyrics to music i love. Thank you

[@chatchaat]

Henley, born in 1944, is not a baby boomer. That generation began in 1946

[@davidmckean955]

@@chatchaat Yeah, like a lot of great songwriters he's in between generations.

[@bobsmoot8454]

I always liked Mike’s licks, very tasteful with just the right amount of space between the notes that allows them to breath life into the song

[@SThompsonRAMM_1203]

Mike, I am one of those fans that knew you wrote the song, when it came out, and knew a lot about the history of the song being presented to Tom and then Don getting it, but all those other details were so amazing to hear and the miracle that came out of this when you could’ve lost everything, not just the song, but your house, and who knows what else. Thanks for all the years of music and continued success for you and your friends and family.

[@terrencequinn4125]

You're welcome, SThompson. Sincerely, Mike.

[@actionjacksondan]

@@terrencequinn4125 lol!!!!😂

[@lyricalgenius23]

He couldn’t possibly be “long-winded” talking about the process of making one of the most iconic songs of all time. Thank you for the insight. I have heard this song thousands of times and I crank it every time. It takes me back to a place I’ve never been but somehow I miss with every fibre of my being.

[@kdfox2007]

Exactly my thoughts

[@dianeorehek4633]

Who do you think’s doing that for kids these days?

[@twosons5290]

Well said, sir.

[@stevepaxton2253]

Thanks Mike, it's so great to hear the back story of one of the most memorable songs of 1984.

[@dowens3781]

Mike is an great underrated guitarist and songwriter, and Boys Of Summer is one of the most beautiful and haunting songs ever written.

[@BarneyRq1d]

One of the all time great songs of any time, genre, style, ever. Timeless.

[@jcripp7974]

Hes not underrated. Underrated by who? How is he underrated? You mean people who never heard him? Explain

[@clemturner]

underrated; hardly!

[@dowens3781]

@@jcripp7974 He's rarely featured in guitar magazines or mentioned when people are speaking of great rock guitarists - that's what happens when you're a backing musician for a major solo artist. Sure, the band was called Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, but everyone knows Tom Petty - the average rock fan probably couldn't name any members of his band. Same with Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band or Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (although Clarence Clemens is fairly well-known, and Max Weinberg became well-known for being the bandleader in Conan O'Brien).

[@MrMd5555]

@@jcripp7974 i don't understand you people on the internet that hear the term "under rated" and take it as a knock & get offended.... not sure where you're from but where I come from it is a compliment. Usually meaning as much as the man is respected for his talent, he actually has the skills, the chops & experience to be held in an even higher regard by a larger group of people. Even If someone says jimi Hendrix is UNDER rated, they just mean they personally think he's even better than the everyday avg joe thinks, it's never a cut down even when talking about someone widely considered to be the best. I had a guy threaten to track me down & kill me because I mentioned somebody was under rated one time & I don't know if you guys are misreading thinking it read "over rated" or if you were just never taught what under rated actually means

[@drumsNstuff79]

Such a great story. Roger Linn really had something with his drum machines for a time. But the Linn drum machine company, according to Modern Drummer Magazine, went out of business because their drum machines were prone to errors and bugs, and the people using them got frustrated and started using other maker's machines. To think this classic almost was lost because of a finicky drum machine, shedding tape, and Don Henley almost wrecked his car!

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

I use to know Roger Linn, who was a guitarist & song writer, in the 1980s. His first drum machine was the LM-1, (Lynn/Moffett), came out in 1980. This was fully tunable. It was programed real drums, burned onto computer chips. I believe he used Art Wood for the drum sounds. In 1982 he put out the LinnDrum which used the same idea, adding some more sounds, but was partially tunable. I can say people loved this drum machine.

[@XHuntinatorX]

Well that explains it. Boys of Summer is my favorite D Henley song and Mike Campbell is one of my favorite guitarists. I also realized later in life that many of the songs from my youth in the 70’s featured another of my favorite guitarists... Larry Carlton.

[@MovingBlanketStudio]

I love how Campbell presented the song to Henley, and Henley turns around and tells him, "I've written the best song..."

[@DeflatingAtheism]

In the space of a car ride back home!

[@nrviking]

I think Henley added the lyrics.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

That comment would have driven me to violins.

[@ronmorey3475]

So cool. The way Mike describes Henley hunched over the tape player, listening to the song so intently. Don was likely already intuiting the lyrics for it upon that first listen. A great song and a great melody will hit you like that.

[@DeflatingAtheism]

Don probably wanted him out of his house so he wouldn't forget it, and already had it written by the time Mike got home!

[@ronmorey3475]

@@DeflatingAtheism absolutely!

[@AngelKisses]

I think Don instantly felt that sad nostalgia captured in the instrumental and wanted to interpret that feeling with the lyrics before it faded away. Nailed it. Everyone involved with this track should be proud of the impact this song has had. Just beautiful.

[@carolynshulman]

I stumbled upon this video today - oh my gosh. LOVED hearing all of these details behind the song! Mike, you are one of my favorite guitarists. What a delight to hear you talk about the process of writing this famous (for good reason) hit song.

[@kevinkingrey4067]

I don’t really have the right words to express my appreciation for Mike’s encouragement here. For the past couple of years I’ve been writing songs with an ethic that I’ve heard stated by Tom Petty, Rodney Crowell, other great songwriters: basically, commit to writing a certain number of songs a week and just show up and do it. In doing that, I’ve come up with more than a fair share of clinkers, or ideas that I didn’t think had any traction. Every once in awhile I revisit one of those and realize that, being my own worst critic, I didn’t give the song the shot it deserved. Sometimes the song stinks, but I learned a thing or two in seeing it through. Mike’s right, stay on it, stay with it, don’t give up when things get difficult.

[@JA-io8nx]

Had zero idea he wrote that. Incredible song, incredible story.

[@vicpnut1]

Glad I’m not the only one who didn’t know anything about it

[@btownbobby]

I didn’t know either. Wow.

[@michaelluke5878]

I didn’t know either…and I know stuff. Huh.

[@adamr9720]

Wow neither did I. Boys of Summer is my all time favorite song ever and takes me back to my teenage years in the early eighties every time.

[@CommercialForest]

Likewise! whenever I heard it, always felt the playing was super tasteful.

[@MicheleJane]

Woah, I never knew Mike wrote that music. What a treasure. One of the best songs I've ever heard. Beautiful. Love Mike.

[@jamesm1938]

Not only is Mike Campbell my absolute favorite guitarist, but even at 62 years old, I could sit and listen to his stories for hours on end. Such a true gentleman.

[@jaylam676]

Love your stories Mr.Campbell. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@djross2043]

Mike did his job and beyond that’s for sure. He’s melted into his guitars with no shred just beautiful music. Every note is precise and well delivered with perfect timing. 🤘🏻🎸🎶😎

[@caseykittel]

Mike is absolutely one of my favorite guitarists. Everything his does is super tasty. I have always loved boys of summer too. Used to listen to it with my mom when it first came out. Good memories. That song really captures a feeling. I thought it was so cool to learn he wrote the music. It’s amazing that the money from it saved his house from foreclosure too. Hehe.

[@dleigh112]

Thanks for the story. I hope the royalties on this great song are still coming in. After 38 years I just read the Dylan Thomas poem which has transformed and added so much to my understanding of the lyrics.

[@robertcronin6603]

Dylan Thomas poem? Which one do you mean?

[@z-9693]

Mike Campbell is simply the coolest dude ever! He's the Tom Hanks of rock 'n' roll. You just can't NOT like the guy. He's so down to earth, humble, earnest & somehow relatable despite having achieved more than one can imagine & played with absolute Titans. I could listen to his stories endlessly. He needs a series to just tell his amazing stories!

[@paulmotheral9616]

First time I heard this I was listening in the car during a whiteout blizzard. Till this day I am immediately thrown back to that moment. How isolated the roads were, how great the song was.

[@900bcy6]

Beautiful song that always reminded me of the 1960's guitar work of Roger McGuinn and the Byrds. Thanks Mike for this musical masterpiece and Ken for uploading the video.

[@carldennis6749]

Such a wonderful story Mike. Thank you for your presence on You Tube. I am so influenced by you and the Heartbreakers and Tom of course. Never stop what you're doing ever! You're a blessing to us all!

[@SynergyFlow]

This is a wonderful video. So good of Mike to explain how one of the best songs of all time came into existence, there's no song like it. Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Don Henley share one thing in common - they exude pure CLASS! Thank you for sharing this video : )

[@MrPhotodoc]

Fantastic story teller. I was right there with the whole process and will have a new appreciation for Boys Of Summer from now on.

[@deanpreston]

The greatest song of the 80's and the film clip was perfect too. Mike's guitar on that track is his best work.

[@Crystal-ge9gh]

Yes, Mr. Campbell, truly a blessing and miracle. I've been in love with this song since the day I heard it. One of the songs that transports me back to summer days in high school. Thank you for taking time to tell the story...thank you for sharing your gift with the world.

[@jackwezesa1081]

Had a hard time choosing between “when Doves Cry “ & “Boys Of Summer” for 1984 best song! Good memories! Also John Waite’s “Missing You “ !!!!!!

[@donscott4143]

Amazing story !!! Fantastic chord progression meets perfect tempo and killer lyrics and singing !!

[@alonzomosley7]

Ditto

[@yeahyeahyeahyeahwhatever]

Jeeze, I always thought it was a Henley song...anyway, it's without a doubt in my top five songs ever, because as others have said below here, it has that something that just makes you feel a certain way. For me it's always melancholy for a youth and an America I hold dear in my memory and to which, sadly, I can only get little glimpses of in these modern times. This came on the radio in Oct of 2019 as I was midway through a 7000 miles road trip through SoCal, somewhere between the Salton Sea and El Centro and I just cried for what was lost. It only lasted a while but man, this song has that effect on me even on a carefree day. It is just magical. Mike Cambell, you are so cool, bless you.

[@digidrum2003]

Wow...well put brother....that song has quite an affect on me.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

But it didn't even exist in the period Henly wrote about. The summer of love was not anything great. Great music yes, but otherwise ...

[@Sugar_is_poison]

Beautiful lyrics to a haunting tune = perfection

[@craigjgomez]

Mike, WE we're really lucky that you saved that song. It was released in 1985 and 37 years later Boys Of Summer has remained a classic and covered by many artists. There is no higher compliment or recognition than that. Also, someone here said you were "underrated" as a musician and songwriter. Quite the contrary. You and The Heartbreakers along with Tom Petty are the best American Rock Band to ever grace a stage. I know this to be true because I worked 22 years in Concert Production including 7 years as a Stagehand and there was simply no one better at performing live than you guys. I say phooey to underrated. You are considered one of the best by your peers and fans. You don't have the personality or antics of a Keith Richards but you certainly are up there in that upper echelon of guitarists. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. Boys Of Summer is one of those songs that will be around forever. It just goes to show that, you can start out with something so basic, change it around or rearrange it and without ever knowing what you got, it becomes a standard. I have watched Don Henley perform it live and it gives me goosebumps. I remember Don's solo tour in '85 at the Concord Pavilion where I was a Stagehand. Every song was perfect.

[@kentucy9999]

Fascinating story Mike. Thanks. These songs we hear don't just fall out of the sky do they? A lot of work an thought and analysis and discussion and pushing and pulling goes into it. Really enjoyed your rendition of the songs development and wishing you all the best.

[@dakotaslim]

Campbell is an under appreciated gem. And Boys of Summer is the best solo song Henley ever did. Every time I hear the song it takes me back to high school in '78 and my girlfriend (whose brown skin did shine in the sun) right before our lives went in directions that we never could have anticipated.

[@digidrum2003]

I feel ya....that song also reminds me of an ex....her dad drove a cadillac too.

[@tlsings55]

Mike, I had this on constant repeat in 1984, 1985, 1986, etc. Drove my family & friends nuts! 😅 This summer, as in many summers past, I’ll be opening the sunroof, rolling my windows down and cruising with this, one of my all time favorite tunes taking me back in time! ☀️😎🎸🎹🥁❤️‍🔥 Listening to the process and many Divine interventions is fascinating. I am certainly thankful that that the “almost didn’t happen,” happened!

[@theelf152]

Thanks to Mike Campbell for the incredible track and work on this song. Also fantastic work on End Of The Innocence a truly gifted musician. I'm just stunned so many people never bother to read the album covers and information credits. I never knew it was Mike Campbell when I first heard it, by I sure did the second I bought the tape which was only days later.

[@db5837]

So grateful to this man for coming up with this arrangement for what would become "Boys of Summer".

[@bronzeageancientone4844]

One of the most underrated song writers of our time. Thanks for your music.

[@lapdawg60]

One of my top five favorite guitarists of all time. Melodic, tasty, catchy, and always just right for THE SONG. Everything I want in a lead/rhythm guitarist.

[@joelewis7072]

As a songwriter I needed that...I needed to hear that...🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏Thank you Brother Mike.

[@robertmuckle2985]

It's really impressive that Henley could impart such a perfect melody/lyric into a raw music bed track...and have it seem it was birthed at the origin of the song. I would love to hear Dons side of the story, and what he felt/imagined on first listen. That's what you call a mix of chemistry, magic and maybe a touch of divine intervention right there!

[@markoman5267]

Boys of Summer - Don Henley In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry School's Out - Alice Cooper My top three summer songs.

[@rosemaryherrera4672]

I remember this song when i was young like 10 yrs old , I'm 44 now and when I hear it , It just something about it, the beat, the beach sounds, the voice, I have it in my playlist still today, in my camptrip list, but I listen to it every other day 😊

[@asmilton]

What I would give to just sit in that room and listen to mike tell these stories !!!!!!!!!! This has completely made my day 🙌

[@bobtone101]

That was fun Mike, thanks for the laughs and a freaking Amazing song! Have always loved your guitar playing! Bob Taylor

[@gedmason6387]

Always great to see Mike Campbell. Magic song. Magic musician

[@Schilliebillie]

One of the best vocal performances of the eighties! Thanks for sharing the story Mike :)

[@hectormonclova7563]

Oh, my God, this is Beautiful!!! Thanks for the lesson. When he said “Tom”, and stopped, to specify it was Tom Petty, there was what I saw as a second of remembrance...

[@CincyJen513]

What a story behind one of the most exquisite pop-rock songs of all time! Thank you for this!

[@kilgoretrout321]

Changing key for your voice is the most magical thing. I didn't know about it until I did some quick test of my vocal range, which showed I'm most comfortable in an A or Bb key range. Just from knowing that one fact about my voice, I went from struggling to sing songs in G and E to being able to relax and have fun singing, and all because I was finally in the right key for my voice. I wish I had known that when I was jamming with friends years before that! I swear, it's like adjusting your chair for your height or wearing the right glasses prescription.

[@moparedtn]

Very telling, how Mike describes the song saving his home he was about to lose to foreclosure... We think these musicians are loaded with cash from their first hit, but it doesn't often work that way.

[@lonedrone]

@moparedtn I was surprised by that comment too. Plus the fact that he said "thanks to my wife" he had a 4 track Teac. The song was released in 1984 by which time Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers had achieved major world wide success and Campbell had co-written some of the band's hits. It's hard to see him as destitute at the time.

[@jwprimetime9795]

I’m guessing a lot of guys were getting screwed over before they got wise to publishing rights and stuff. The horror stories we’ve all heard. Jim croche passing having made almost no money. Unreal.

[@cheeseismychocolate79]

Tom petty and the Heartbreakers suffered for a long time fighting their record label and trying to change the pillaging record/music industry, they all suffered greatly as all p

[@oldtimesound]

I kinda wonder if he meant to say ‘close on’ instead of ‘foreclose on’? Because he said “House we were about to foreclose on.” Obviously you don’t foreclose on your own house. Plus at that time in the 80s interest rates on mortgages were crazy high. Prob over 10%. So if you had a bunch of money come to you would just pay your mortgage off.

[@mcraft2240]

I read the Tom Petty book, and there was definitely financial issues at times between the band members and Tom. Tom was very up front about it. Stan was the most outspoken about it.

[@ReverbAndBeer]

That's a beautiful VOX Super Beatle amp! A Super Beatle was the first amp I ever played through (we also ran our vocals and bass through it). There was a music store in Glendale, CA (and a sister store in Alhambra) called Pedrini Music. A true Mom and Pop independent store, back when Guitar Center was also a single independent store (across the street from where it is now on Sunset). I grew up with one of the Pedrini kids, and when they got that VOX we immediately plugged in an Epiphone SG and a Precision bass and started playing Am/Dm7 - i.e.; Light My Fire. We were in the 5th grade. Man I wish I had that amp today!!

[@brianbadovin1919]

I had no idea you were part of this song. It is one of my all time favorites and thank you and Don for making it.

[@jimiskin]

One of the best tunes ever, definitely captures the feel and spirit of the subject.

[@theonlyredspecial]

I told everyone this was a mike Campbell song for years. Had to explain to many he was the guitarist for tom petty. Followed this guy most of my life. Very underrated player. Great song writer. Fantastic even !

[@RAISEPLACE777]

Great story! I always love when there's a bit of thank you God for smiling on me acknowledgment. Thanks Mike for being an ultra tasty tone king. Blessings to you and your family.

[@WilliamAndySmith-Romaq]

Thanks... I had this tune beating around in my head this morning, and I plan to play it. But I stopped by here first. Thank you, Mr. Cambell!

[@meeluanistyn1644]

I love this song. It brings so many images into my mind and, like others have said here, takes me back to a time that means a lot to me.

[@oatnoid]

Loved that song for ever. It had a very deep meaning for me because I was going though one of those hurtful breakups at the time. Heard the song, liked it. Then came the breakup, she dumped me. The song took on a whole new meaning.

[@MrChamboman]

Thank you Mike. I love hearing how your songs originated! Looking forward to seeing you in Philly!

[@JohnDoe-zo2yq]

Thank you Mike for all the great music you gave us throughout the years but thank you for making this beautiful song one of my favorites of all! Be safe and best wishes!

[@vandalorianvandalorian4769]

One of the greatest timeless songs ever. Mike Campbell is one of the greatest sidemen in RR history.

[@DonaldMerrit]

Such a great sideman that I consider him a front man

[@philwurtzel2461]

Love the song by Mike and sung by Don and what a great telling of the birth of how it was created. Do musicians today even know how easy they have it in regard to equipment and tech when it comes to working in the studio? the hard part now is creating memorable songs like BoS as we all know, most music is pretty forgettable today.

[@downthestretch85]

Merry Christmas Mike. Fascinating story. What a gift. Thank you. Feel blessed. 🙏 🎸

[@idessaoutlaw]

Another timeless music mojo moment by the great music man Mike Campbell. His tunes and vibes are part of my DNA forever.🥃😎👌

[@lockedin60]

I think a lot of great songs have elements of happy accidents. The structure of the Boys of Summer was not accidental but obvious getting all the parts and pieces to work together was accidental to a certain point. A lot of advances were beginning to happen during the BOS era because so much of that now is done through the magic of electronics and computers. You and Tom and the rest of Heartbreakers produced such classic songs I would think that you would just sit on those laurels and just retire. Yet you have not done that and are still producing good music. We are still indebted to you.

[@KhalDrogo76]

Amazing guitar line/song, Mike is a legend

[@ZvukUp]

I've been playing this song at almost every gig for that past 15 years. Never gets old. Never get tired of playing it. Never get tired of singing it.

[@luijacat]

More videos!! Awesome and that song is so meaningful to me. Thanks for the backstory.

[@TheMfhorton]

I could watch hours of this stuff. Really good

[@KP11520]

This song, for me anyway, was QUITE haunting. I don't know why, but it was.... AND still is. The kind you never forget. And the kind that immediately takes you back to the time when it came out. And Haunted!

[@whaguitars]

Very melancholic. Hauntingly beautiful song!

[@sdingeswho]

Great post! 😁Thank You!🥰 And for Mike himself 😁: As you probably know, Tom Scholz can “feel your pain”, also - he had one of his big 3M M-79s 1” tapes lock up on him completely, and had to lubricate it on-the-fly with what he described as a “suspicious silicone concoction” 😎 … The thing he was able to save turned out to be the master-tape for “Cool the Engines” on Boston’s Third Stage 😮! Mike, you’re not alone 🤣 - rock on 😎🎸! I also had a major experience hearing “Boys of Summer” for the first time - on the way to the airport, and almost had my driver pull over so we could find out what it was! In the dark, on a freeway, and the overhead lights passing in perfect synch with the keyboard figure - epic! 😁🎹🎸🎶😎

[@lindseyscott7133]

I’m realized when listening to you that this remains one of my favorite songs ever. It’s timeless. It came out just as I left Colorado for LA at 18. It’s forever frozen in my memory. Great story.

[@kellypidgeon4269]

Mike Campbell is a genius and one of my favorite guitar players. One of those guys who always knows how to serve the song.

[@lanemeyer9350]

What an amazing song. It invokes pure emotion as most Don Henley vocals do

[@krisscanlon4051]

Mike and that sound...the counterpoints and fretless bass...timeless.

[@TravisOnGuitar]

This is absolute gold. So important to record this rock history in the words of those that created it. Fascinating to hear the background to one of my all time favourite songs. Thank you

[@peteracosta744]

This song has always stood out in my memory. I did not know that Mike Campbell was the guitar player… As a matter of fact I thought it could have been two or more guitar players I did not know that Mike actually wrote the song. Was he responsible for the lyrics also? An excellent story.

[@HungryH1951]

Lyrics written by Don Henley, music by Mike Campbell.

[@wrekkingcru]

Mike Campbell doing Boys of Summer and Danny Kortchmar doing All She Wants to Do is Dance...Don Henley in on writing and then Don singing both. What a combo. Those two songs were musical gold for any Gen-Xer growing up in the mid-80s and they bring back a lot of memories. "I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac...a little voice inside my head said don't look back - you can never look back." Ain't that the truth & it's my favorite line from this song. The reality is that the only Dead show I saw 30 years ago was already populated by a bunch of spoiled rotten Trust Fund Babies, who had enough of Mommy & Daddy's money to buy tickets to every Dead show for the entire tour - and afford food, gas, hotels, etc. Something nobody I knew was ever able to do. They didn't need to "look back" because they already had Deadhead stickers on their parent-money-purchased BMWs ;-) but they would all want you to just see them as hipster bohemians vs independently wealthy kids in their early 20s. Such is life.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

The Dead themselves are rich millionnaire's who drive expensive cars, this is common knowledge. They just dress like hippies on stage.

[@mlbreel]

Great story! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. :)

[@patrickloper671]

One of the greatest songs and to think it almost didn't happen on so many occasions. Thank God that it did. So many great memories from this song