Surfin
Jan Dean Lyrics

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Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)

Early in the morning we'll be startin' out
Some honeys will be coming along
We're loading up our woody

With our boards inside
And headin' out singing our song

Come on (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Come along (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me

Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)

At Huntington and Malibu
They're shooting the pier
At Rincon they're walking the nose
We're going on safari to the islands this year
So if you're coming get ready to go

Come on (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Come along (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yeah I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me

Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)

They're anglin' in laguna in Cerro Azul
They're kicking out in Dohini too
I tell you surfing's mighty wild
It's getting bigger every day
From Hawaii to the shores of Peru

Come on (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Come along (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me

Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)

Surfin' safari (with me)
Surfin' safari (with me)
Surfin' safari (with me)

Surfin' safari (with me)
Surfin' safari (with me)

Overall Meaning

The song "Surfin' Safari" by Jan and Dean is an upbeat, fun song that celebrates surfing culture. The lyrics talk about waking up early in the morning, loading up the woody with surfboards, and going on a safari to catch waves. The chorus invites listeners to come along and learn how to surf. The song references specific surf spots, such as Huntington, Malibu, Rincon, Laguna, and Cerro Azul, and the different surfing techniques that can be used in each location. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, inviting listeners to join in on the "surfin' safari."

The lyrics of "Surfin' Safari" are an embodiment of the surfing culture that was present during the early 1960s. Surfing was popularized as a symbol of freedom and rebellion against mainstream society. Surfing was a way of life that was embraced by young people, who could express their individuality through this sport. The song was written by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, who, along with Jan and Dean, helped to popularize the genre of surf rock.

"Surfin' Safari" was released in 1962 and became a hit song, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has since become an iconic representation of the surf rock genre and continues to be played on classic rock radio stations. The song has also been featured in numerous films and television shows.

Line by Line Meaning

Let's go surfin' now
We should go surfing immediately

Everybody's learning how
Everyone is picking up the skill of surfing

Come on and safari with me
Join me on an adventurous surfing trip

(Come on and safari with)
An invitation is given to everyone to tag along

Early in the morning we'll be startin' out
We will begin our surfing trip early in the morning

Some honeys will be coming along
Some attractive ladies will also be joining us

We're loading up our woody
We are packing our surfing car

With our boards inside
We have securely placed our surfboards within the car

And headin' out singing our song
We are joyfully departing and singing our surfing song

At Huntington and Malibu
We will surf at Huntington and Malibu beaches

They're shooting the pier
Some surfers are executing difficult moves near the pier

At Rincon they're walking the nose
Some surfers are performing nose riding at Rincon beach

We're going on safari to the islands this year
We plan to embark on a surfing expedition to the islands this year

So if you're coming get ready to go
If you're joining us, then be prepared for an adventure

They're anglin' in laguna in Cerro Azul
Some people are fishing in a lagoon in Cerro Azul

They're kicking out in Dohini too
Some surfers are also having fun surfing in Dohini

I tell you surfing's mighty wild
I can attest that surfing is thrilling and unpredictable

It's getting bigger every day
The surfing culture and community are continually expanding

From Hawaii to the shores of Peru
Surfing is popular in many places, from Hawaii down to the shores of Peru

Surfin' safari (with me)
Come experience the adventure of surfing with me

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON, MIKE LOVE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Paola Marie Fuchs Stitelmann

5y↑1

Surfin' is the only life - the only way for me
Now surf, surf with me !!
Bom bom dit di dit di dip
Bom bom dit di dip ...

I got up this morning - turned on my radio .....
I was checkin' on the surfin' scene to see if I would go !
And when the DJ tells me that the surfin' is fine
That's when I know my baby and I will have a good time .....

I'm going surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) .....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) .....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) .....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) .....

Surfin' is the only life, the only way for me
Now surf - surf with me !!

Bom bom dit di dit di dip
Bom bom dit di dip ....

From the early morning to the middle of the night
Any time the surf is up, the time is right .....
And when the surf is down to take its place ....
We'll do the Surfer's Stomp, it's the latest dance craze !!

We're going surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....

Surfin' is the only life, the only way for me
Now surf .... surf with me ....

Bom bom dit di dit di dip
Bom bom dit di dip .....

Now the dawn is breaking and we really gotta go
I we'll be back here very soon, that you better know
Yeah, my surfer knots are rising and my board is losing wax .....
But that won't stop me, baby, 'cause you know I'm coming back !!

We're going surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Surfin' (Bom bom dit di dip) ....

Surfin' is the only life, the only way for me
Now come on pretty baby and surf with me !!

Ooh (Bom bom dit di dit di dip)
Ooh (Bom bom dit di dit di dip) .....

All comments from YouTube:

brtherjohn

12y↑15

The Beach Boys' original is really a tip of the hat to Jan and Dean's style of West Coast doo wop in the first place. Brian would soon learn the studio tricks of the trade of massive overdubbing from Jan.

scatteredfrog

2y↑2

Yup. "Surfin'" is basically the super-early Beach Boys doing Jan and Dean's remake of "Heart and Soul."

Sharon Ramone

5y↑2

At last. Someone who backs up what I've been saying for years and years!!!

13sunny

10y↑5

The Beach Boys are providing the backing vocals and instrumentation

S C

11y↑10

I´ve been searching this song for years...

Ronald Herrera

11y↑4

Si esta extraordinaria melodía no me levanta el ánimo ahora ....... <3 PF miss You Too.-

Crystal D Jones

3y↑2

Crystal Jones I like Jan and Dean. They sing the best beach songs since the late1950s& early1960s. They sing good just like the Beach boys. They rock.4-18-2021.

Dejael Long

5y↑3

Great cover version of The Beach Boys' first hit song, written by Brian Wilson. Sounds almost like the BBs.

scatteredfrog

2y↑2

Yep. The Beach Boys also backed up J&D on their cover of "Surfin' Safari."

THE FAT BAT

3y↑4

Brian Wilson, and I believe other Beach Boys, backed up Jan & Dean on this recording (although totally uncredited on the album). That would probably explain why it sounds alot like the Beach Boys.

TheBeachboys4ever

12y↑4

J&D's version was much more polished studio production, with Jan Berry multitracking the voices. Conversely, the BB's version was performed at Hite Morgan's little studio with Murry Wilson over-mixing the vocals to make the boys sound younger. And the BB's arrangement was nonexistent: Carl Wilson's guitar was unplugged, Al Jardine played a standup bass and Brian used his finger to hit the snare drum. That's it.

George Vreeland Hill

10y↑11

They belong in the Hall of Fame.
I mean, come on.

George Vreeland Hill

David Wesley

5y↑1

JAN and DEAN are long over due for the HALL OF FAME.

Raymond Malcuit

7y↑2

You Got That Right.

trfesok

9y↑2

Sounds like Brian in the background. Higher fidelity than the BB's version. Both versions in my Beach Boys covered and covers playlist.

carlmoore19

13y↑4

"...do the surfers stomp, it's the latest dance craze ..." Do you also know Surfers Stomp by the Marketts? (it''s an instrumental)

Andre Protti

15y↑2

for my jan and dean are the real sound of surfin songs

Marilyn Biggs

Andre Protti soo

branaa09

Andre Protti Haha yeah uh huh, too bad the Beach Boys are singing on this too.

KL Harris

I wonder if Dennis is on drum here or if that's Brian's hand on the snare again.

Raymond Malcuit Jr.

10y↑3

Jan & Dean Version Of "Surfin'" Did Not Hit The Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

trfesok

2y↑1

It was never a single.

Brett Koeshall

9y↑2

Jan and Dean with The Beach Boys.

SixTailights

9y↑3

The Beach Boys backed up Jan on this one. He was on a budget and asked Brian if they could back them up?

Joseph Duggan

3y↑1

You can hear The Beach Boys backing vocals on this very clearly

JF917

5y↑1

Jan & Dean take linda surfin' , i have the original album on liberty.

Johnnie Guitar

9y↑2

The book Nearest Faraway Place has exhaustive details about Jan and Dean and Brian Wilson and the rest of the Beach Boys, collaborated on hits. A little too detailed and invasive for my liking, however---- its ALL there, private life and all.