Brothers Sly Stone and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly & the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls) at the end of 1966. Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. This collective recorded five Top 10 hits and four groundbreaking albums, which greatly influenced the sound of American pop music, soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop music. In the preface of his 1998 book For the Record: Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, Joel Selvin sums up the importance of Sly & the Family Stone's influence on African American music by stating "there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
During the early 1970s, the band switched to a grittier funk sound, which was as influential on the music industry as their earlier work. The band began to fall apart during this period because of drug abuse and ego clashes; consequently, the fortunes and reliability of the band deteriorated, leading to its dissolution in 1975. Sly Stone continued to record albums and tour with a new rotating lineup under the "Sly & the Family Stone" name from 1975 to 1983. In 1987, Sly Stone was arrested and sentenced for cocaine use, after which he went into effective retirement.
Cynthia Robinson - January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015
Hot Fun In The Summertime
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hi, hi, hi, hi there
Them summer days
Those summer days
That's when I have most of my fun back
High, high, high, high there
Them summer days
Those summer days
I cloud nine when I want to
Out of school, yeah
County fair in the country sun
And everything is cool
Ooh, yeah, yeah
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
First of the fall and then she goes back
Bye, bye, bye, bye there
Them summer days
Those summer days
Bo-bo-bo-bop-bop when I want to
Out of school
County fair in the country sun
And everything is cool
Ooh, yeah, yeah
Hot fun in the summertime (hey, hey, hey, hoo)
Hot fun in the summertime (oh, yeah, yeah)
Hot fun in the summertime
Sly & The Family Stone's 1969 hit song Hot Fun In The Summertime is an upbeat celebration of the carefree joy of summer days. The lyrics suggest that summer is a time for pleasure and relaxation, a time when the singer can let loose and enjoy himself. The repetition of "Hi, hi, hi, hi there" and "High, high, high, high there" in the first two verses emphasizes the excitement of the singer for the impending arrival of summer, as well as his elation at all the activities and events that come with the season. The third verse celebrates the freedoms of summer, especially for students who are out of school and can take part in events like the county fair. The lyrics "I cloud nine when I want to" suggest that summer is a time when the singer feels free to do as he pleases, with no responsibility holding him back. The chorus repeats the refrain "Hot fun in the summertime" and reinforces the idea that summer is a time of warmth, joy, and pleasure.
There is a nostalgic quality to the song's lyrics that captures a sense of longing for the past, as well as the pleasures of youth and the fleeting nature of summer. The verses describe the end of summer and the return to school, suggesting a wistful sadness at the passing of an enjoyable time. The chorus, however, celebrates the experience of summer and encourages the listener to embrace the moment and experience the fun of the season.
Overall, Sly & The Family Stone's Hot Fun In The Summertime is a cheerful, uplifting ode to the joys of summer. Its catchy melody and sing-along chorus make it a perennial favorite, evoking memories of sunny days and warm weather.
Line by Line Meaning
End of the spring and here she comes back
Summer is approaching and the singer is excited about it.
Hi, hi, hi, hi there
The singer is expressing his excitement about summer.
Them summer days
Those summer days
The singer is referring to the fun he has during summer days.
That's when I have most of my fun back
The singer has the most fun during summer.
High, high, high, high there
The singer is excited and happy about summer.
I cloud nine when I want to
Out of school, yeah
The singer is carefree during his summer vacation.
County fair in the country sun
And everything is cool
Ooh, yeah, yeah
The singer enjoys spending his time at county fairs, where everything is enjoyable and relaxed.
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
The singer repeats the phrase 'hot fun in the summertime' to emphasize his enthusiasm and excitement about summer.
First of the fall and then she goes back
Bye, bye, bye, bye there
Summer is coming to an end and the singer is saying goodbye to it.
Bo-bo-bo-bop-bop when I want to
Out of school
The singer is happy to be out of school and have fun during summer.
County fair in the country sun
And everything is cool
Ooh, yeah, yeah
The singer enjoys spending his time at county fairs, where everything is enjoyable and relaxed.
Hot fun in the summertime (hey, hey, hey, hoo)
Hot fun in the summertime (oh, yeah, yeah)
Hot fun in the summertime
The singer repeats the phrase 'hot fun in the summertime' to emphasize his enthusiasm and excitement about summer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sylvester Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tarantulisimo
Sly Stone - vocals, piano
Freddie Stone - vocals, guitar
Larry Graham - vocals, bass guitar
Rose Stone - vocals
Cynthia Robinson - trumpet
Jerry Martini - saxophone
Greg Errico - drums
L.A. Wrecking Crew (?) - "strings with violins in the upper register"
Sly Stone - songwriter & producer
@olddogcitypound5859
65 years old and believe me when I listen to the Family Stone so do my neighbors........😆
@jonas2431
Same with me when I play acdc
@cenithyoungblood-delay5755
63 still jammin this love it
@drewthehobo3732
25 and same man, can't play good music quiet
@DRCole-kq2wk
Old Dog City Pound this 63 year old backs you up!
@libradragon
True Story! Representing 68 here and still living this Bliss!
@frankethomas1248
I'm 71, which means I was born in 1952. Thus, I went from 8-18 in the ʼ60s. We'll never see such a richness of musical treasure again. Thank you for sharing this with us!
@jimcavanaugh8838
Lucky you I'm 1958 but my sister 1949 and all I did was spin All her records and it was Everything.... All of it !!
@grahambrown1980
I was born in 1980 but I love this kind of older music anyways bc of how it’s beautifully done and highly creative, like style nuances occurring @ 0:18 & 1:47, I have to hear and hear for some reason! 🎵🎼🎶
@jackmeeellleee4896
My peephole opened in 1963 and I must say I agree with you. However, the 70s had some great music as well. I think the 70s, before the disco craze, was an extension of the musical 60s.