That Unmistakable Scent of Coppertone

Some friends and acquaintances and I were recently discussing songs that remind us of being a kid, and many of us involved in the discussion kept bringing up events like trips to the beach, or summers spent at various pools. It turned out we all had one very specific thing in common - there were certain songs that just IMMEDIATELY brought to mind the smell of Coppertone suntan oil or lotion; or rather, the memory of the scent.

There have got to be few smells in the world as unmistakable as Coppertone. Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat, Sea & Ski (do they even make that anymore?), all the others - it's not the same. Coppertone is, like, the DEFINING scent of beaches and pools all over America, especially for those of us old enough to remember the Seventies.

My personal memories are from the pool at the country club in the small town in Northwest Tennessee where I grew up, and there are actually several songs that bring back those Coppertone memories, but by far one of the strongest of those is "Sister Golden Hair" by America. There was always a radio by the lifeguard stand at the pool, blaring rock and pop music from one of the local radio stations, and I remember that song playing as background music to my swimming or diving or sunning so many times - probably hundreds - throughout the first half of the Seventies. Many other songs as well, as I said, but that song brings back one of the clearest memories of those days.

I can't even tell you when the last time I actually smelled Coppertone truly in person was; probably six or seven years ago, or whenever the last time I needed to buy suntan oil for a vacation trip was. But even thinking about it now, I can remember that smell as clear as day, especially if I hear one of those summer songs from the Seventies. KISS, Three Dog Night, Paul McCartney & Wings - many more, as well as this one by America.

As an aside, whichever version of Ice Breakers Sours candy it is that contains the Pina Colada flavor - open up the little plastic disc package, and you'll smell it. It smells EXACTLY like Coppertone.