Vinyl is booming, and if you own a record player, you've probably got a nice collection of records with music you love. One of vinyl's great benefits is sound quality, but which records bring out the best in the format?
We've picked 20 of the best-sounding records from a bunch of different genres -- including jazz, pop, punk and electronica -- starting in the 2010s and going back to the 1950s. Keep in mind that it's subjective, as these kind of lists always are. But if you want to augment your record collection, or perhaps buy a record for your favorite music fan, you'll find something to like here.
It’s time to dig through your vinyl collection and pull out those seminal summertime records perfect for making your time at home feel easy and breezy. You know the ones we’re talking about: those records that take you back to summers past and remind you of simpler times basking in the warm glow of the sun. If you’re struggling to come up with the best songs, we have a few inspirations to get you started. Without further ado, here’s just a small sampling of the best music for summer.
Summer Breeze is the quintessential summer song, slow and dreamy with an infectious melody and evocative lyrics that celebrate the season. “Summer breeze makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind…” These simple words have defined an entire season for generations of music lovers.
Yeah, Pet Sounds may be the ultimate Beach Boys album, but it’s their earlier, more carefree work that inspires us to hit the waves and bask in the glory of summer. Surfin’ USA is the best example. It’s simple, it’s familiar, and we can’t help but sing along every time we hear it. Best of all, it embraces all the best conventions of summer: sand, surf, youth, and an abundance of free time to live life to the fullest. This is truly the best music for summer.
When Eagles co-frontman Don Henley penned The Boys of Summer, young Gen-Xers had their summer anthem — and its influence still echoes to this day thanks to updated renditions from bands like The Ataris. From the invigorating synth lead to the rocking chorus, it’s one of those songs that you can’t help but move your feet to. It’s not just an evocative summer song. It’s a powerful coming-of-age story.
Set to the beat of Kool & the Gang's Summer Madness, Summertime is another classic jam that should be on every summer playlist. On this Grammy-award-winning track, Will Smith raps philosophically about the simple beauty of summer, a “time to sit back and unwind.” Youthful escapes like flirting, cruising, and shooting b-ball all receive shoutouts. It’s a relaxed, feel-good song that will flood you with summer nostalgia — even if you didn’t grow up in Philly.
We may not all agree on politics, religion, or whether to put pineapple on pizza, but we can all agree that Hot Fun in the Summertime is an essential summer hit. Like all the best music for summer, it reflects on simpler times: being out of school and embracing the endless possibilities of summer. When you’re young, summer is everything, and this jazzy brass-driven jam whisks us right back to those unforgettable childhood vacations.
Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the street. What more do you need? The celebratory summer lyrics coupled with the irresistible Motown beat and Martha Reeves’ flawless vocals make for an unforgettable anthem. Rock this song whenever you want to get in the right mood for the season. Just do yourself a favor and skip the David Bowie and Mick Jagger version.
This is more of an honorable mention as it’s not quite as well-known as the other songs on this list, but it still represents some of the best music for summer. Taken from Blondie’s self-titled debut album, this groovy song opens with a lively “Surf’s up!” and boasts a catchy surf-and-punk-rock-inspired melody. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who dreams of getting away from the drab, gray city and losing themselves beneath towering palm trees that line the ocean.
We could go on and on with the best music for summer (we haven’t even gotten to such iconic hits as Summertime Blues or Saturday in the Park), but these soundtracks should give you some solid inspiration.
While you’re sorting through those old vinyl records, make sure to keep them clean and pristine. With a Big Fudge 4-in-1 cleaning kit, you’ll have everything you need to remove the dust, dirt, and grime. The kit includes a cleaning solution, an antistatic velvet brush, and other easy tools that can clean your vinyl in minutes.
Give your vinyl a quick cleaning before each use, and you’ll be able to keep your summertime tunes in rotation long after the autumn leaves have fallen.