Hearing ‘Feels Like Summer’ All Over Instagram Reels? Meet the Summer Jam’s Artist, Samuel Jack

We've seen track after track absolutely blow up on TikTok after being discovered by fans and being incorporated into video after video—but what about Instagram Reels?

There's been a recent explosion on Reels in the form of the new sunshiney anthem "Feels Like Summer," which just might be the platform's first viral hit. And there's a good reason it's being uploaded more than 10 thousand times a day—it's just the thing to celebrate a real summer after the last one passed us by.

We got the chance to chat with singer-songwriter Samuel Jack, the artist behind the viral hit, about what it means to him to go viral, and what "Feels Like Summer" really means to him.

Sweety High: What was the songwriting process behind "Feels Like Summer?"

Samuel Jack: On this occasion, the process was actually quite quick (it doesn't always happen like that). I wanted to write something light, fun, happy (and it doesn't always happen like that either!). I started with a simple chord progression on the piano, lyrically I was really just reminiscing about summers gone by—and I just went with it. The trumpet section was written via the finest "mouth trumpet" I could muster before switching out with the real thing. And so "Feels Like Summer" was born.

 

SH: When you were recording the song, did you have any idea that this would be the song to really take off?

SJ: Absolutely no idea. It was actually written a little while ago. I remember my co-writing and production partners getting really excited about it but never in a million years could I have imagined it would grow so quickly, and all over the world.

 

SH: What has it been like to see "Feels Like Summer" absolutely explode on Reels? Did you ever expect anything like that to happen after the song was out for two years?

SJ: It's been amazing to watch it spread, on a global scale, and I love that it's bringing so much joy to so many. The incredible videos that people have been sharing—I mean there's a mind-blowingly beautiful world out there and it's just been super humbling to watch music bringing us all together after so many months of being apart. And no, not one bit did I anticipate it would resonate for so many in the way it is. That's the beauty of the internet in some ways, for all its sins.

 

SH: What do you think it is about the song that's resonated so much with people and become Reels' first viral hit?

SJ: I think a combination of things. We're all just edging out of COVID times, coming together again, the sun is starting to shine both physically and metaphorically. I think people are starting to get excited about life again and I think that has given the song a brilliant environment for it to flourish.

 

SH: What are the essential things that make it "feel like summer" to you? What does the season of summertime represent to you?

SJ: Cold ones. Friends. Music. Togetherness and laughter. Some of life's most valuable ingredients.

 

SH: What's your favorite lyric from the track?

SJ: "We were standing on the edge, with the sand under our feet, we felt like we'd made it."

 

SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

SJ: Just a massive thanks to the Samuel Jack pack for supporting me thus far, and a massive hello to all the newcomers to the fam. Love you all and let's make this summer count!

 

Love hot summer tunes? Click HERE for summery Taylor Swift lyrics to use as Instagram captions this summer.