The Summer Set Perform "Jukebox (Life Goes On)" Live

posted in: Music News

Making pop references in a song is one of the most overused ways to craft chart-topping hits these days. Artists seem to think pulling memorable bits from other people’s work will make listeners care about their work, but that usually could not be further from the truth. If you’re a musician I’ve never heard and you sample a song I love, I’m far more likely to start listening to that great band you reminded me to love than to seek out more of your otherwise unfamiliar sounds. That said, if music is supposed to come from the heart then referencing elements from your own pop culture orbit makes perfect sense, so there must be a way to insert this part of you into your art without looking silly, right?

Enter The Summer Set. Over the course of several releases, this Arizona outfit have crafted a unique brand of pop rock that captures the excitement of living in the moment, and they do it with a high-gloss radio appeal. They have already established a following and a direct link with fans of a certain age group (16-24), so when they lyrically reference pop hits, it only further cements how relatable the band is to their listeners. No track does that better than “Jukebox (Life Goes On).” It’s a timeless slice of life set to pop hits, and one that many identify with. A great video of the group performing the Legendary cut popped up on YouTube this weekend, and we could not help sharing it with you. Click below and enjoy.