Belinda Carlisle the Germs). Carlisle has been alternately described by critics as a "punk diva" and "pop princess." As a singer in the Go-Go's, Carlisle was associated with the new wave genre, and the band was remarked by critics for their style that "inject[ed] punk with the sound of California surf music." Her subsequent solo releases, beginning with her self-titled solo debut, "Belinda" (1986), were remarked by critics as more polished contemporary pop music. Her early inspirations during her childhood were the Beach Boys, Cat Stevens, the Stylistics, and the Animals. As a teenager, she saw Iggy Pop on the cover of
Summer Rain (Belinda Carlisle song) she saw him. It was released around the world in 1990 and was issued as a CD single, 7" single and a 12" single. Carlisle's version had minor success on the charts reaching the top thirty in the United States and the UK, but was a bigger hit in Australia, where it reached the Top Ten. It was later covered by artists including Slinkee Minx, whose cover version of the song also reached the top ten in Australia. Belinda Carlisle stated in May 2013 that this was her favorite of her own songs. "Summer Rain" achieved moderate commercial success in