When thinking about what tracks to include in my new album "Naked '80's" (featuring remakes of my favorite songs of the '80's and a couple of originals about the '80's that we wrote), I will admit I at first shied away from Don Henley's monster hit "Boys of Summer".

I recall arguing that it was just so recognizable worldwide, it was a Grammy winning song (for Best male Rock Vocal Performance), and it had been on the Charts with both Don Henley's version and The Ataris remake! Not to mention that it was such a cool song - how could I possibly remake that with any air of originality?? Well Peter Asher (my amazing Producer) insisted we sing through it a couple of times until we got it sitting nicely in my voice. So the door wasn't closed on the song - but it wasn't wide open either.

Then, over a glass of wine it dawned on me that nothing feels more like summer than the music of the Gipsy Kings! I grew up listening to their music while Barbecues were sizzling, beer was being opened and a friendly game of Summer Cricket was being organized in our garden. So what better fit for "Boys of Summer" than a Gipsy feel, with a wall of acoustic guitars, a lyrical guitar solo and lots'n'lots of Palmas!

Adding the operatic vocal was, admittedly, a more difficult sell. I think Peter was just humoring me when he let me sing along to the track "just to see what happens"... But luckily we all agreed the combo worked, and it gave the track the truly original feel we were searching for!

I have no idea what Don Henley thinks of it, but I hope he likes it - I had such a crush on him as a kid I'd be heartbroken if he didn't!