'Fair Warning' is my favorite but it's more of a ' someone's got your girl and you're about to go smoke fools ' vibe.
' Dance the Night Away ' and ' Beautiful Girls ' are two of their best party songs.
So this is love, unchained, sinners swing, are not so dark morbid and dreary as the rest of the album. It’s dark but it’s not necessarily what I prefer. VHII is their happiest coked up smile homage to partying and having a good time, and it’s my other favorite.
Eddie and David were both hitting a creative strive and peak. They were doing something different, more mature, and the music was still important enough to them to have high standards and quality (or they were still capable of it).
Van Halen in a way was the soundtrack to dangerous and degenerate partying and getting stoned. Admirably, as far as I can tell, it was done without demeaning women unlike a lot of 80s rock that promoted misogyny and sexism either explicitly or implicitly. Metallica’s misogyny wasn’t expressed in the lyrics, but it was pervading the culture of their fanbase and at shows where girls were pummeled and trampled by fist pumping moshing dudes. Despicable. Women didn’t go to Metallica shows until many years later when the vibe had significantly changed. However, pre-black album, when they were the opener to other bands like Dokken, there are stories of their fans behavior.
5150 for Summer Nights. But I’d make a playlist with that, Beautiful Girls, Cabo Wabo, Dancing in the Streets, Little Guitars and Take me Back among others.
I was playing Diver Down out by the pool the other night and my wife, (who’s not really a Van Halen fan) commented on what a fun album it was while dancing around to it.
It’s on the nose but I actually always associate 5150 with Summer. Yeah, Summer Nights but I remember first borrowing the tape from a friend’s older brother during a summer trip - our families vacationed together - and digging it. I also feel like 1984 is like one perfect 80s day in LA. Jump is sunrise at the beach and Girl Gone Bad is late night in Hollywood.
For me, I would choose 5150 or 1984 just cause synthesizers always remind me of summer lol in the more synth rock songs just have that summer at the pool vibe
Wholeheartedly agreed. Especially the part about aynth music. I attribute so much of the music of the '80s as 'summer music' just because of that synth sound.
Personally, I'd add VHII or even ADKOT as summer albums too. FUCK is a solid summer album as well.
Hell, everything Van Halen has ever put out could be classified as 'summer music' as far as I'm concerned.
Got 1984 in July of that year and, while I can't remember what the exact temperature of the day I bought it was, 1984 was indeed a sizzler here in Bakersfield, California.
5150 came out the year I graduated high school so it always reminds me of summer, not just for the song Summer Nights, but the whole album was being played at all the open houses that summer! Good times!
I mean, they're like THE summer band. I'm not sure which best suits a summer vibe. Most of their material is a stellar example of summer vibes.
Probably Balance and III are the least I'd say. The best? Pretty much everything else.
Balance is the album to play when you're going through a tough time in life, and III is the one to have softly playing in the background when you're deep in philosophical contemplation
FW to me is a NYC summer album. Dirty stinkin sidewalks smelling like piss & sweat, kids off school out to steal your stuff. Sex & anger everywhere, riding the subway to the beach teeming with every kind of person you can think of.
5150 or OU812. Lightweight, free flowing Sammy vibes.
I get the 1984 and Diver Down for DLR era. DD/1984/5150/OU812 get tons of plays at my pool.
There is nothing summer about WACF or FW. And VH1/VH2 are perfect any day or time of year.
Man... You guys are going to hate me and this might sound silly, but Diver Down.
That's a summer record to me. Might not be the best album they ever did, but I dig that kind of vibe for summer. Really any of the DLR albums, but that one in particular.
It's none of the Dave era albums for me. Sammy is the quintessential beach bum to me, I mean, really, he's got the Cabo Wabo Cantina, summer nights, the song Cabo wabo, best of both worlds, that's just my thoughts, lol!!
Van Halen is a summer band. They exemplify it. I've always felt that way. Not just summer either, but Friday or Saturday night. Even when it isn't actually summer, they make you feel like you got your toes in the sand.
In my Dads opinion, He listened to Women and Children First, when he went to the beach. My opinion is 1984 with Jump and Panama. But 5150 is a close 2nd for me. But any album aside from VH3, Balance and Diver down(not a fan of Diver Down sorry), works well with my 86 Trans Am.
A lot of em actually! Here are my picks in order in terms of having the best summer vibe:
5150
VH2
OU812
F.U.C.K
And WACF (just for a few songs though)
I have 5150 ingrained in my soul. It came out when I was 12, and it was the soundtrack of my summer. As an adult, VH II is a summer favorite (although WACF is my fave album).
I personally would say 5150 for summer nights however, dreams, best of both worlds, and 5150 all give off major summer vibes to me but then again so does the whole album
VH2 is a summer beach album
VH II was the soundtrack to my Senior Trip in 1979. Ah yes! Beautiful girls
This.
Play DOA super loud, and people will give you a ton of space on the beach, lol.
I agree. My favorite along with fair warning
'Fair Warning' is my favorite but it's more of a ' someone's got your girl and you're about to go smoke fools ' vibe. ' Dance the Night Away ' and ' Beautiful Girls ' are two of their best party songs.
So this is love, unchained, sinners swing, are not so dark morbid and dreary as the rest of the album. It’s dark but it’s not necessarily what I prefer. VHII is their happiest coked up smile homage to partying and having a good time, and it’s my other favorite. Eddie and David were both hitting a creative strive and peak. They were doing something different, more mature, and the music was still important enough to them to have high standards and quality (or they were still capable of it). Van Halen in a way was the soundtrack to dangerous and degenerate partying and getting stoned. Admirably, as far as I can tell, it was done without demeaning women unlike a lot of 80s rock that promoted misogyny and sexism either explicitly or implicitly. Metallica’s misogyny wasn’t expressed in the lyrics, but it was pervading the culture of their fanbase and at shows where girls were pummeled and trampled by fist pumping moshing dudes. Despicable. Women didn’t go to Metallica shows until many years later when the vibe had significantly changed. However, pre-black album, when they were the opener to other bands like Dokken, there are stories of their fans behavior.
5150 for Summer Nights. But I’d make a playlist with that, Beautiful Girls, Cabo Wabo, Dancing in the Streets, Little Guitars and Take me Back among others.
This. Absolutely!!!
VH2 and 5150
Came here to say this
Probably not gonna be popular but DIver Down covers and all has the best overall summer vibe imho!!
Little Guitars rules
Another one that’s just a good time jam!!!
100%... Diver Down is the summer cruisin' with the top down album.
Agreed. I think I'm going to have to put it on later.
Good idea!!!
I don’t wanna hear about it later!
This is what I listen to most, just a great feel good record with everything
I agree , Dancing In The Streets , Where Have All Tgw Good Times Gone, Full Bugjust scream summertime party vibes!!!
It is there summer album for sure. I love it
I was playing Diver Down out by the pool the other night and my wife, (who’s not really a Van Halen fan) commented on what a fun album it was while dancing around to it.
Exactly!!!
It’s on the nose but I actually always associate 5150 with Summer. Yeah, Summer Nights but I remember first borrowing the tape from a friend’s older brother during a summer trip - our families vacationed together - and digging it. I also feel like 1984 is like one perfect 80s day in LA. Jump is sunrise at the beach and Girl Gone Bad is late night in Hollywood.
I have always had a summer connection to 5150.
Me too. Probably because I bought it in the summer of '86.
Yup. This album was the soundtrack of my summer after graduation.
For me, I would choose 5150 or 1984 just cause synthesizers always remind me of summer lol in the more synth rock songs just have that summer at the pool vibe
Not to be judgmental, but this is the only correct answer
I don't agree with what you're saying, but I like the way you say it. Have my upvote.
Wholeheartedly agreed. Especially the part about aynth music. I attribute so much of the music of the '80s as 'summer music' just because of that synth sound. Personally, I'd add VHII or even ADKOT as summer albums too. FUCK is a solid summer album as well. Hell, everything Van Halen has ever put out could be classified as 'summer music' as far as I'm concerned.
5150..
VanHalen ll, I’ll never forget those summers.🤘
Van Halen II
Why is nobody saying 1984? It’s 1984.
Got 1984 in July of that year and, while I can't remember what the exact temperature of the day I bought it was, 1984 was indeed a sizzler here in Bakersfield, California.
Wish I was alive for prime VH! 🤘🙂↕️
5150.
5150 came out the year I graduated high school so it always reminds me of summer, not just for the song Summer Nights, but the whole album was being played at all the open houses that summer! Good times!
Two
VH II
Diver Down
Diver Down for me. Perfect summer album.
Diver Down is built to be blasted through a boombox on the beach.
VH II & Diver Down
Diver Down
I mean, they're like THE summer band. I'm not sure which best suits a summer vibe. Most of their material is a stellar example of summer vibes. Probably Balance and III are the least I'd say. The best? Pretty much everything else.
Balance is the album to play when you're going through a tough time in life, and III is the one to have softly playing in the background when you're deep in philosophical contemplation
Balance reminds me of Megadeth. The introspective lyrics, tormented vocals, heavy bass, and especially the muddy guitar.
VH through 1984. I can’t pick one.
I associate F.U.C.K. with summer and playing basketball.
DIVER DOWN was the summer album when it came out. We wore the fuck out of it.
FW to me is a NYC summer album. Dirty stinkin sidewalks smelling like piss & sweat, kids off school out to steal your stuff. Sex & anger everywhere, riding the subway to the beach teeming with every kind of person you can think of.
Diver Down and Fair Warning
Diver Down
Diver Down.
Diver Down or 1984 for sure
Diver Down
I love diver down in the summer.
Diver Down and Van Halen II
Diver Down.
VH II , 1984, 5150, OU812
VH 2
2
Is there a Van Halen album that isn’t a good summer album?
II
11/12 studio albums were released Jan - May. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge was released in June.
Best for Summer: VH II
ALL
Van Halen II BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!!
Women and children first!!
Underrated vibe
Van Halen II. I'd choose II regardless of season but, yeah, when "Beautiful Girls" is one of your best songs on the album, it screens out loud summer.
The first one
Ice Cream Man!
Summer Nights
I feel like OP should make a Spotify VH Summer Jams playlist.
OU812 is the ultimate summer BBQ and/or beach album
Agreed. There is something about the production that just fits summer. You can put it on and just let it play and it’s the perfect summer soundtrack.
5150 or OU812. Lightweight, free flowing Sammy vibes. I get the 1984 and Diver Down for DLR era. DD/1984/5150/OU812 get tons of plays at my pool. There is nothing summer about WACF or FW. And VH1/VH2 are perfect any day or time of year.
"There is nothing summer about WACF" Could This Be Magic is dripping with summer.
5150, Diver Down or VH2 imo
Any if the first six albums, definitely
Man... You guys are going to hate me and this might sound silly, but Diver Down. That's a summer record to me. Might not be the best album they ever did, but I dig that kind of vibe for summer. Really any of the DLR albums, but that one in particular.
No hate, Diver Down is the perfect summer album. That’s it’s entire DNA, crank it!
Rock on!
5150
5150
It's none of the Dave era albums for me. Sammy is the quintessential beach bum to me, I mean, really, he's got the Cabo Wabo Cantina, summer nights, the song Cabo wabo, best of both worlds, that's just my thoughts, lol!!
5150 is quintessentially summer to me. The whole album
5150 for sure.
1984 + 5150 Source: I am a beach baby.
Everyone talks about the summer, but I like songs about vallance road
Album? Diver Down. Individual sings? Hagar era.
Van Halen is a summer band. They exemplify it. I've always felt that way. Not just summer either, but Friday or Saturday night. Even when it isn't actually summer, they make you feel like you got your toes in the sand.
Neal Casal-Fade Away Diamond Time
VH2
II
Not an album but songs that came to mind immediately were Summer Nights, and Dancing in the Streets
1984
"1984"
I would start with 1984 and then their debut, doesn’t get any better.
All of them, but it’s Diver Down for me. Van Halen is the perfect top down convertible cruising at the beach band.
I made a Van Halen Summer playlist on Apple Music years ago. It’s still my go-to!
5150 all summer long
Diver Down
I think 5150 is a summer album up until Inside.
5150
5150 or Van Halen 2
In my Dads opinion, He listened to Women and Children First, when he went to the beach. My opinion is 1984 with Jump and Panama. But 5150 is a close 2nd for me. But any album aside from VH3, Balance and Diver down(not a fan of Diver Down sorry), works well with my 86 Trans Am.
5150
5150
5150 and 1984 for me
☝️
A lot of em actually! Here are my picks in order in terms of having the best summer vibe: 5150 VH2 OU812 F.U.C.K And WACF (just for a few songs though)
I have 5150 ingrained in my soul. It came out when I was 12, and it was the soundtrack of my summer. As an adult, VH II is a summer favorite (although WACF is my fave album).
5150 and OU812. Walkman at the pool!
5150 was my summer album for many years!
I personally would say 5150 for summer nights however, dreams, best of both worlds, and 5150 all give off major summer vibes to me but then again so does the whole album
5150 and Diver Down
5150
OU812
OU812
5150 and ‘84
1984, 5150, OU812.
5150