Surfin' U.S.A.

The Beach Boys second single. Wow, what a sound. Not much to say although by the time I finally got to southern California in the 2000's on a business trip I knew the name of every beach up and down highway 5. California was in the air all through the 60s and 70s, literally. TV, radio whatever. Hey, a CLE guy can dream, right? (But California Dreamin' is still a couple years out.)

The song is set to Chuck Berry's Sweet Little Sixteen and Berry's publishing company has owned the rights to the song (including lyrics that Brian Wilson wrote) for a long time. Five days before Surfin' U.S.A. was released Wilson produced his song Surf City for Jan & Dean which became a #1 hit. So in mid '63, Wilson was all over the charts but not getting much credit yet.

Surfin' U.S.A. mono mix (Spotify)

Mike Love and Brian Wilson keeping the sound alive in 2012

The 1963 Playlist so far on Spotify