"Summertime" was included on the soundtrack album for the film The Fighting Temptations (2003), in which Beyoncé played the lead female role.
The original version of the song was released as a B-side to "Crazy in Love" in the UK and Australia, while it was issued as a 12-inch vinyl single in the United States through Columbia Records.
Music critics generally complimented Beyoncé's vocals in the song and noted that it could have been included on her debut studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003).
[1] Darrin, a shallow New York advertising executive, traveled to a small town in the deep south upon receiving word that his aunt has died and left him a sizable inheritance.
Once in town, Darrin is informed that he will only receive the money if he successfully leads a local gospel group to victory at an upcoming competition.
Along the way, he becomes acclimated to the town with the help of his cousin Lucius (played by Mike Epps) and meets Lilly, a single mother who not only possesses an incredible voice but also the ability to warm Darrin's cold heart.
[4] Tim Sendra of Allmusic describes "Summertime" as an R&B "sweet love song" with lush sampled strings and acoustic guitars.
[5][6] The lyrics of the song do not reveal the film's plot, but they do tell that it has been a year since Darrin and Lilly met and they have gotten closer which could possibly be referring to their marriage.
"[5] During a string of soundtrack releases, Beyoncé commented on the song in an interview with Billboard and stated: "A lot of music was written especially for the film.
[10] The original version of the song also served as the B-side to Beyoncé's debut solo lead single "Crazy in Love" (2003) in the UK[11] and Australia.
During the Verizon Ladies First Tour, which also featured Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott and Tamia, Beyoncé performed "Summertime" in New York in front of more than 20,000 fans.
[20] Beyoncé performed the song in a yellow summer-dress that was bedazzled in rhinestones across the upper breast area and around the bottom of the dress.