Brian Wilson commented on the song in the liner notes of the 1990 CD re-release of the original Surfer Girl album: "We loved doing 'Little Deuce Coupe'. It was a good 'shuffle' rhythm, which was not like most of the rhythms of the records on the radio in those days. It had a bouncy feel to it. Like most of our records, it had a competitive lyric. This record was my favorite Beach Boys car song."
Frank Zappa was quoted in his autobiography The Real Frank Zappa Book, "One of the most exciting things that ever happened in the world of 'white-person music' was when the Beach Boys used the progression V-II on "Little Deuce Coupe." An important step forward by going backward."
Little Deuce Coupe
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know what I got
Little deuce coupe
You don't know what I got
Well I'm not braggin' babe so don't put me down
But I've got the fastest set of wheels in town
When something comes up to me he don't even try
She's my little deuce coupe
You don't know what I got
(My little deuce coupe)
(You don't know what I got)
Just a little deuce coupe with a flat head mill
But she'll walk a Thunderbird like (she's) it's standin's 'till
She's ported and relieved and she's stroked and bored.
She'll do a hundred and forty with the top end floored
She's my little deuce coupe
You don't know what I got
(My little deuce coupe)
(You don't know what I got)
She's got a competition clutch with the four on the floor
And she purrs like a kitten 'till the lake pipes roar
And if that ain't enough to make you flip your lid
There's one more thing, I got the pink slip daddy
And comin' off the line when the light turns green
Well she blows 'em outta the water like you never seen
I get pushed out of shape and it's hard to steer
When I get rubber in all four gears
She's my little deuce coupe
You don't know what I got
(My little deuce coupe)
(You don't know what I got)
She's my little deuce coupe
You don't know what I got
(My little deuce coupe)
(You don't know what I got)
She's my little deuce coupe
You don't know what I got
The Beach Boys' song "Little Deuce Coupe" is an ode to a hot rod car, specifically a 1932 Ford Model B coupe, also known as a "deuce coupe." The song is about the singer's pride and joy, a car with a modified engine that can beat any other car in town. The singer describes the car in detail, citing its speed, power, and unique features, such as the "competition clutch with the four on the floor" and the "pink slip," which is the legal document that proves ownership of the car.
The lyrics also paint a vivid picture of the car race culture of the 1960s, a time when hot rods and drag racing were popular among young people. The singer takes great pride in his car and feels a sense of superiority over other drivers who try to challenge him. The phrase "you don't know what I got" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's confidence in his vehicle.
Line by Line Meaning
Little deuce coupe
The car he's talking about, which is a small two-door model
You don't know what I got
The listener is not aware of the car's capabilities and style
Well I'm not braggin' babe so don't put me down
The writer is not trying to boast, so please don't criticize their car
But I've got the fastest set of wheels in town
Their car is the fastest around
When something comes up to me he don't even try
When other drivers see this car, they know they cannot compete
'Cause if I had a set of wings man I know she could fly
The car is fast enough that it could take flight
Just a little deuce coupe with a flat head mill
Despite being small, the car has a powerful engine
But she'll walk a Thunderbird like (she's) it's standin's 'till
The car can easily outrun a larger, more powerful Thunderbird model as if it were standing still
She's ported and relieved and she's stroked and bored.
The inside of the engine has been modified for better performance
She'll do a hundred and forty with the top end floored
The car can reach a speed of 140 mph when pushed to its limit
She's got a competition clutch with the four on the floor
The car has a specialized clutch and gear shift used in racing
And she purrs like a kitten 'till the lake pipes roar
While idling, the car has a quiet engine, but when driving, it makes a loud, roaring sound
And if that ain't enough to make you flip your lid
If those previous features didn't impress you,
There's one more thing, I got the pink slip daddy
The writer owns the car outright and has the ownership document (pink slip)
And comin' off the line when the light turns green
When starting a drag race from a stopped position at a traffic light
Well she blows 'em outta the water like you never seen
The car leaves its competition far behind
I get pushed out of shape and it's hard to steer
The car's speed and power can make it difficult to control and steer
When I get rubber in all four gears
The car is so powerful that the tires slip (rubber) even in fourth gear
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROGER CHRISTIAN, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Kokomo
This song is an absolute classic and I love the way that it lists all the major destinations in the Caribbean.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfin' U.S.A.
A great song by The Beach Boys hit all the major surfing destinations.
Philip Kassabian
on Catch a Wave
This song really gets you in the mood for surfing.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfer Girl
What a splendid song by The Beach Boys. They really were a great band.
Philip Kassabian
on Wouldn't It Be Nice
One of the greatest Beach Boys songs.
Les lumb
on Surf's Up
Love Good Vibrations ,God Only Knows however this is my fav Beach Boys song
Les lumb
on San Miguel
It captures the mood of the place, very atmospheric
Les lumb
on Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) [Single Version]
Great version by the Beach Boys it flows
Les lumb
on Break Away
Soothing
Leslie Lumb
on Break Away
Love the opening verses beautiful words