Records Perfect for Summer ( Vinyl Community )

In this video, I talk about albums that are perfect for summertime enjoyment. Of course, great music sounds excellent year-'round, but these really bring the warmth.

[@bobblehead67]

XTC's Skylarking is a summer must!

[@jeffreyg4626]

I agree!

[@davidellis5141]

🎶 There Ain't No Cure For The Summertime Blues ! 🎶 ..Van Halen segueing into Sade can at least help you cope .. smooth 😎

[@CBCDs]

Breeders - great summer music, especially their first two albums. A little reggae feel. The Clash too and the Police - "white reggae" Regata de Blanc

[@georgespencer3973]

I got the B-52’s self titled for my 10th birthday in July of 1980. I’d heard Rock Lobster on AM radio months before, loved it, and always remembered the name. I was into what my parents liked at the time ( Boston, Journey, Stones, Beatles, etc). Then I got this F’n record. Having never seen it before I opened the wrapping paper, I thought it was the coolest goddamn cover I’d ever seen. I couldn’t WAIT to hear the other songs that the people on this cover made. My dad surfed so every weekend had to be spent at the beach. I made a copy on a cassette so I could take it along. I don’t know how many times I listened to it. Probably to the point of knowing every note of every instrument of every song. Although I still liked a lot of stuff my parents listened to, my musical tastes definitely took a turn after that album. I could pick 20 great summer albums but that bitchin yellow record will always be my first choice.

[@RobertFithen]

The albums that you get when you're ten can be life-changing. Awesome that you got such a great album. I didn't hear it until I was in my twenties.

[@paulkovacs5729]

One knows they know the B-52's debut very well when they can cue themselves in on Dance This Mess Around on time, every time.

[@georgespencer3973]

@@RobertFithen So true about the 10 year old and life-changing music. What age were you when you experienced that? What single or album was it?

[@georgespencer3973]

@@paulkovacs5729 Haha, now I’m going to have to test myself on the drive to work tomorrow. Thanks for the challenge!

[@paulkovacs5729]

@@georgespencer3973 I'd say I'm somewhere around 90 percent right now... still have some more work (and listening) to do.

[@jeffreyg4626]

Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" is my all time summer album. I also like Supertramps "Breakfast in America" & Cheap Trick's " At BudoKan Live"

[@jackde1965]

It's nice to see Ween get some props from such a knowledge music man. My favorite band and The Mollusk is my favorite album. Winter Spring Summer and Fall. Great video Robert!

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks! "White Pepper" is another stellar one.

[@georgespencer3973]

White Pepper was the first Ween album I heard of theirs. I thought they were just a joke band. Great album. I think those guys could pull off any genre authentically.

[@harryriles8609]

Mungo Jerry

[@frozenborderline2109]

Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful, if just for Summer in the City alone, but the whole record as is just exudes a perfect, chill, summer vibe for me.

[@greggates1137]

Pablo Cruise is another great one in my opinion

[@klipkultur3680]

Robert ''Speedo Hunk'' Fithen, I'm going 80's with David Lee Roth first EP (the cover and ''Coconut Grove''), The Power Station first (Some Like It Hot) and any Jam Hammer's Miami Vice music. Thanks again.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

In the south, we'd play "beach music" tunes from the Drifters, Chairmen of the Board, the Embers, Fantastic Shakers, Band of Oz, the Catalinas, etc.

[@calvinwazoo]

As a preamble to Summer, whenever it's that first really hot, sunny day in late Spring - the trees have budded and the birds are going berserk with flowers popping everywhere - I usually spin Special Beat Service and start playing that a lot. It works as a great album for Summer too.

[@terrykeenan4308]

Sade, Shardaye! I always think of summer when I play her albums.

[@MikeHeath1]

Jackson Browne has two: Quiet summer evening music: “Late for the Sky”. Out and about on a beautiful sunny day: “Running on Empty”.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Costanza: “I was in the pool! I was in the pool!”

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

Ha, that's what I thought about too. Shrinkage, lol

[@YnotNomis]

Those are some great choices! Just FYI, the reason that the song; 'Family Affair' isn't on Sly and the Family Stone Greatest hits is because that album came out in late1970 to fill almost 2 years since Sly released a full album for their record company since 'STAND' album in 1969 to keep them in the public eye. 'Family Affair' came out in 1971 that was on the album 'There's a Riot going on" that came out late in '71. So that's why it's NOT on the greatest hits album.

[@RobertFithen]

You're right, I keep thinking that "Thank You" is on that album, too, but it's a completely different version.

[@AsItShouldBePodcast]

Van Halen! Yeah, probably the ultimate Summertime party band...and that's easily their best album, in my opinion. Another great Summertime band for me would be War.

[@RobertFithen]

Yeah, I realize I left off War right after I uploaded the video. They definitely should have been included.

[@nellgwenn]

I have to laugh. I live in Arizona, so it's, here are some great albums to listen to for 8 months. So I must recuse myself for suggestions. My list would be weird.

[@lifeofvinyl3003]

Superunknown - what an album! Awesome stuff and worth a few quid these days (recently sold on Discogs in VG+/VG for about $250!!)

[@willieluncheonette5843]

Legend has none of Bob's more militant songs. Maybe Get Up Stand Up is one. It is Marley light and plays it very safe.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Thanks for showing off The Stand album from Sly And The Family Stone.

[@michaelvalentini4869]

Robert, I'm assuming that the Casablanca Records tee- shirt was a tribute to Donna SUMMER. All your picks are fantastic for hazy, hot, humid days. ''Summertime Blues'' by Eddie Cochran is another good tune to blast in the warm weather, I like all the cover versions too.The Grateful Dead song, ''Sugar Magnolia'' is one of the greatest Summertime songs, the studio recording and the many live versions, float my boat!

[@RobertFithen]

Yes, you caught that. lol

[@michaelvalentini4869]

@@RobertFithen Yes, I'm smarter than the average beer!

[@Bo-hb3eo]

Robert, dude. You made my brain hurt twice. Once, when you were searching for that, Sly and the Family Stone song, I’m sure glad you pulled that out of your hat. And then when you showed that picture of you in a speedo. I really wish I could unsee that. lol

[@H-mu4bo]

OMG Robert....I have the same Casablanca Records logo on a blue t-shirt through Redbubble!!. A great conversation starter, a few people remarked "what's that thing say on ya t-shirt mate??". I say that was the label the greatest rock band in the world KISS... and they nod in hallowed respect ...but I don't raise the fact the mellow country crooner Mac Davis was on Casablanca too !! The most treasured cd box set I have is the "Casablanca Story"...tonnes of stuff that will never appear on another cd, like KC and Teri Desario forgotten hit "Are you ready" and the epic disco of Dennis Parker "Like an Eagle". Meco, D.C LaRue, Skatt Brothers, Cher, Ultimate..pure disco magic!

[@RobertFithen]

I thought it was appropriate for the summer video since Donna Summer was on the label.

[@hellionrebellionrocknrolla744]

I call summertime music "grilling music". I tend to go for Bruno Mars, Lenny Kravitz, CCR, and yes, some Kyuss! (I really wish they'd put something new out) Sade was always fall music for me. I'll give her a shot the next time I flip a burger. Nice video!

[@themanmike4573]

Sublime is a great ska band that is perfect for summer

[@ediblehorse]

Love the Ween. Big fan. Beachwood Sparks - Self-Titled. Cosmic California Country Rock Circa 1999(?)

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Jimmy Buffet / Changes in Attitudes Gotta Take Some Quaaludes

[@marcbenjamin9436]

Joe Walsh: But Seriously, Folks

[@mtrossi4192]

Good list, maybe toss in some Allman Brothers

[@mudthehunter6618]

winter here so its: tom waits, leonard cohen, miles davis, lou reeed, sound of music soundtrack , etc

[@BlindArthurBlake]

I do like Sade, recently completed her discography on CD

[@wezlvsmusic3172]

A Wonderful artist Bob Marley, I have that 'Greatest Hits' album and a Danish picture disc compilation LP from 1983. That's all I have of Bob Marley And The Wailers but hoping to find more.

[@heavymoe505]

The Cars - anything up to Heartbeat City Jane’s Addiction - Nothings Shocking IS summer.

[@vinyljoe1940]

I got the Wally VH and yeah it pops on Jamie's cryin but the rest of it does sound great

[@frenchvinyladdict]

Great selection indeed. would not have been complete without Bob Marley and Santana.

[@harrysmusicroom]

My favorite summer song is hot fun in the summer time

[@Jiji-the-cat5425]

Can't go wrong with Bob Marley, or any reggae group for that matter.

[@jimmccloskey4254]

Al Green (Call Me), ZZ Top (again almost any), Rolling Stones (Exile on Main Street), Meat Loaf (Bat at of Hell), Donna Summer (Bad Girls), B 52's (Cosmic Thing), The Who (My Generation), the Doors (The Doors), Aerosmith (Permanent Vacation), Tom Petty (Ful Moon Fever), XTC (Skylarking), Beastie Boys (Licensed to Ill), Nina Simone (I Put a Spell on You), Otis Redding (The Dock of the Bay), Prince (Purple Rain).

[@RobertFithen]

All great albums. I always associate Prince with winter time.

[@jimmccloskey4254]

@@RobertFithen Here on the east coast riding a motorcycle in winter, is not fun, ice and snow can be extremely hazardous, and would the female rider be dressed similarly for the cold and snow. Like you show, always informative and entertaining.

[@RobertFithen]

@@jimmccloskey4254 Not to mention jumping, topless, into a Minnesota lake.

[@hornyconvict]

Welcome to sky valley such a great driving album especially gardenia

[@chutspe]

"Suntan going on"... 👏

[@Stublinsky]

America, The Steve Miller Band, and the song Summertime by Janis Joplin could also be considered.

[@jackroberts9401]

T-Rex/Bolan and Big Audio Dynamite

[@anthonybagileo3402]

I was waiting to see War.

[@RobertFithen]

I agree. I should have shown War. I thought of it right after I uploaded the video.

[@paulkovacs5729]

Great choice! All Day Music for me is their most Summer album.

[@anthonybagileo3402]

@@RobertFithen yes. To me it’s not cruising with the top down music but late afternoon chill with BBQ and Beer kinda music.

[@sidesup8286]

Remember how awful it was when summer vacation ended when you were of school age. Not only did personal freedom take a big hit, but the end of August was a prelude to the torture of sitting in non air conditioned classrooms for a month or so yet. Making it feel like punishment for having all that fun in the sun. I always thought the song Summer In The City by The Lovin' Spoonfull had a creepy sinister sound. He sounded like he was singing like a pervert; too fast and slick. There is a line in the song about being determined enough to look in every corner of the city (to find a girl). July is blueberry month (or is it blackberry?). There are so many days, weeks and months dedicated to certain things. Ice Cream Day and Swimming Day; those must be in the summer. They should have days for negative things too; besides just cancer and diseases.Other negative things too. What about "Jerk Day"? Where you have to purposely go out and visit a jerk. They can buy their own ice cream. Or what about this Christmas In July thing? If they're going to celebrate Christmas in July; why not go all out. Hot Chocolate, Santa Claus, Carolers, Christmas Trees, Presents, Midnight Mass with Fireworks etc. For some strange reason I listen to more country music in the summer. I hardly play The Nutcracker even twice during the middle of the year.. The weather is hardly bearable through much of the summer, it's the season for insects that bite, loads of lawn work, discovering food that melted, reruns, higher utility bills, higher crime rate, sun burn etc. Good Ol' Summertime. Some other good summer albums. Made In The Shade; The Rolling Stones, Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder, Hot August Night (the actual temp at concert time was 69°), Indian Summer by Poco, and that album by Billy Ocean with the song No More Love On The Run. In summer it's too hot to run.

[@RobertFithen]

I hated when you would start hearing the phrase back-to-school. Less time to listen to music. I've never heard of jerk day, but in the town I grew up in, you wouldn't have to look for very long to find one.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

You sound about as "fond" of summer as I am. I'm in agriculture so I have to work outside most of the day and it's miserable. 🥵

[@CBCDs]

B-52s are good summer music. Maybe some Weezer too (Island in the Sun). Yo La Tengo - Summer Sun?? Looks like you got the zit shaped sunburn

[@RobertFithen]

I can agree with B52's. I don't know enough Yo La Tengo.

[@colinmatzkows5839]

The first one I thought of was Born in the U.S.A.

[@RobertFithen]

Especially at 4th of July.

[@williamlavagna1096]

The Harder They Come soundtrack

[@jameschavez6400]

Talking heads -sand I in the Vaseline/the cure standing on a beach👌👌😎😎

[@B.B.Amsterdam]

I didnt know you were in Boogie Nights.😃

[@RobertFithen]

Did I mention "Boogie Nights"? I don't remember. Great movie, though.

[@B.B.Amsterdam]

@@RobertFithen No you didnt mention it, but you show us a picture that looks like you were on the set of Boogie Nights..😃

[@paulkovacs5729]

Family Affair didn't come out until the year after Sly and the Family Stone's Greatest Hits, and is on their least Sunshine-y album There's a Riot Goin' On... I feel Life is their best Summertime studio album

[@paulkovacs5729]

Hadn't noticed someone else commented on this... oh well.

[@haroldsmith1213]

Hahaha the dead an ice cream in the brain ,have to tell my son that,loves the dead,heres a couple of mine agustus pablo,,anything,king tubby meets rockers uptown,any ska two tone band,Dick Dale and his deltones(surfers Choice),toots and the maytals funky kingston,nick lowe wireless world,really so many summer albums, Blondies ist album, B-52's first album,ect ect-thses are my opinion only,great video funny ,im still laughing abut the Dead -s ice cream in the head---stay safe always👍☘🇺🇦🇺🇸

[@RobertFithen]

I agree with all of those, especially the Toots & The Maytals.

[@paulkovacs5729]

Lots of other great ones mentioned, but I'd like to add Duran Duran's Rio to the list

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Sex Machine is a killer instrumental.

[@steverogers2635]

Great list Robert Though I've never understood the popularity of Jimmy Buffett. 🤨 I would definitely replace him with the Beach Boys. 🤣

[@RobertFithen]

I think it has something to do with being drunk. lol

[@wowster-so8sx]

Hot child in the city....sung by Freddie Fender

[@RobertFithen]

I actually looked that up to see if it was real.

[@kevinjones9685]

I'd add Beach Boys Party! to the list--fun album to play at the cottage

[@CBCDs]

Dire Straits - Suntan of swing

[@RobertFithen]

Ridiculous. lol

[@gonzaljevic]

Surfer girl by the beach boys

[@AstroNumpty]

Man... you paid $1.63 for Gaucho... the dusk till dawn (and def hangover) summer album... it's only a matter of time, but you are gonna have to step out of the closet and embrace them!

[@RobertFithen]

I still haven't heard it.

[@AstroNumpty]

@@RobertFithen ... do it... and review it Sir!

[@martynflynn8368]

I found your channel only last week but find you very honest and refreshing, you have some great vids my man. I am commenting because I would love to see you do a vid on the greatest screams in rock, y'know when the singer just belts it out full tilt? I'm sure you could find some gems. My own personal favourite is the Rain Song from The Song Remains The Same when Plant absolutely puts it on a SaturnV with his "OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHh yeah feels good feels good now" AWESOME.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks! Great idea.

[@terrywachter]

My knee-jerk reaction was Exile on Main St. Such a great overall feel.

[@RobertFithen]

Yeah but there's a song with a torn and frayed coat. Lol

[@kniknayme9865]

Is it OK to mention aja?

[@RobertFithen]

In certain terms. lol

[@davidtaylor6663]

Beach boys :) lol dont hit me lol

[@cytowing3353]

Thanks for not putting any Beach Boys in there 😅

[@RobertFithen]

You're most welcome!

[@mikepeters5732]

What, no Beach Boys?..

[@RobertFithen]

Absolutely not. They are, however, briefly mentioned at the end of the video. lol

[@mikepeters5732]

@@RobertFithen 🤣

[@MrStout14]

weezers blue album

[@RobertFithen]

But, it has a song about a sweater. lol

[@MrStout14]

@@RobertFithen it’s a summer album. Back yard party music mid nineties skate, drive to the coast music.

[@j.d.kendall628]

this would be my night party playlist. id toss a little more 80's punk in the mix to spice it up. the eagles The Long Run album peter wolf long way back again fools parade j giels the morning after album status quo piledriver album Alice Cooper love it to death album slade. slayed? album Huey Lewis and the News sport or four album John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, Eddie & The Cruisers soundtrack for the longest time I thought this was Springsteen Ramones road to ruins album Poison Open Up and Say... Ahh! album

[@RobertFithen]

I always think of Alice Cooper as a fall album, but Huey Lewis "Sports" was definitely summertime fare, especially when I remember that one music video where they're at the beach.

[@ICenobyte1962]

Dude!! Paper Sleeves? Get yourself some Mo-fi sleeves! Whats wrong wit you?😁

[@RobertFithen]

A lack of pretension I guess.

[@kookamunga2458]

Great picks . Some similar summer records that I pull out are The Stranglers album with the song titled Peaches is very summmerish .Second would be Peter Tosh Legalize It. Third is Miles Davis album Jack Johnson. Fourth is Fela Kuti titled Fela's London Scene .Fifth would probably be Any of Jimi Hendrix's concerts from 1970 except Isle of Wight. Sixth maybe a Bowie album .Sixth a hot Latin jazzy Salsa band named the Fania Allstars their album live at Yankee Stadium. Seventh soundtrack album Train Spotting .Eight would be something from Pink Floyd. Then maybe a punk album Bad Brains or The Cramps .

[@davidtaylor6663]

greaatfull dead is boring.Bob Marley Legend is my college summer...all of them