"S… Read Full Bio ↴A Ballad and the first slow song ever recorded by The Beach Boys.
"Surfer Girl" is the title of a song written and sung by Brian Wilson for The Beach Boys. It was released as a single and it then appeared on the 1963 album of the same name, Surfer Girl. The B-side of the single was Little Deuce Coupe. The single was the first Beach Boys record to have Brian Wilson officially credited as the producer.
Written solely by Brian Wilson, the song is one of his very first compositions. Although the song is sometimes referred to as a tribute to his then girlfriend Judy Bowles, this is untrue as the song wasn't written with anyone particular in mind. The meter of the song is identical to "When You Wish upon a Star".
Brian explained the genesis of the song: "Back in 1961, I'd never written a song in my life. I was nineteen years old. And I put myself to the test in my car one day. I was actually driving to a hot dog stand, and I actually created a melody in my head without being able to hear it on a piano. I sang it to myself; I didn't even sing it out loud in the car. When I got home that day, I finished the song, wrote the bridge, put the harmonies together and called it 'Surfer Girl'."
The band first recorded the song at World Pacific Studios on February 8, 1962 which was one of the band's first ever recording sessions. However, the recordings from that session, engineered by Hite Morgan, would ultimately remain unreleased until later archival releases.
The instrumental track as well as the vocals for the officially released version were recorded at Western Recorders on June 12, 1963. The session was produced by Brian; the first song, along with "Little Deuce Coupe", to be credited as a Brian production. The musicians on the track are David Marks and Carl Wilson on guitar; Brian Wilson on bass guitar and Dennis Wilson on drums. The finished instrumental track can be heard on the 1968 release Stack-O-Tracks. The song is sung by the group - Mike Love, Carl & Dennis Wilson - with a prominent vocal by Brian. Also recorded during that session was "Little Deuce Coupe".
* The Sentinals on their 1964 album Surfer Girl
* Hollyridge Strings covered the song instrumentally on their 1966 album The Beach Boys Song Book, Volume 2
* The Fantastic Baggys on their 1966 album Ride The Wild Surf
* Little Joe Shaver & Devil Dog on their 1976 album Sing the Hits of the Beach Boys
* Papa Doo Run Run on their 1985 album California Project
* Phranc on her 1991 album Positively Phranc
* Cathedral City Project in 1994
* Pere Ubu on the 1995 album Ray Gun Suitcase
* Don Grusin on the 1997 tribute album Wouldn't It Be Nice: A Jazz Portrait Of Brian Wilson
* Philip Aaberg & Scott Mathews on the 1997 various artists compilation Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection
* Fred Simon on his 1998 album Fred Simon's Interpretation of The Beach Boys
* John B. & The Surfin´ Safaris on their 2002 album A Tribute to the Beach Boys
* Scott Cain on his 2004 album Roller Coaster
Paul Simon sang a cover version of the song at An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson in 2001, which was later released on DVD.
OC Times caused consternation at the 2007 International convention of the Barbershop Harmony Society by singing a barbershop arrangement of this song.
The song featured the film Surf's Up.
Surfer Girl
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made my heart come all undone
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
Surfer girl, my little surfer girl
I have watched you on the shore
Standing by the ocean's roar
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
We could ride the surf together
While our love would grow
In my woody I would take you, everywhere I go
So I say from me to you
I will make your dreams come true
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
Surfer girl, my little surfer girl
Little one
Girl surfer, girl, my little surfer girl
Little one
Girl surfer, girl, my little surfer girl
Little one
Girl surfer, girl, my little surfer girl
The Beach Boys' “Surfer Girl” is a simple and sweet love song that takes the listeners to the serenity of the ocean filled with surfers. The lyrics are straightforward; the persona is declaring his love to a surfer girl who he has watched on the shore for a long time. The persona is lost in his love and is asking if she loves him too.
The persona is proclaiming his love to the surfer girl and is offering to take her on a ride on his woody, a wooden-bodied station wagon at the time, and journey together, riding the waves and growing their love. He promises to make her dreams come true indicating that he is committed to her at any cost.
Through the use of the beach and surfing as a backdrop, the song captures an essence of life that was popular among young people in the early 60s when the song was written. The repetitive lyrics, the falsetto vocals, the harmonies, and the instrumental arrangement all contribute to making this song a classic and perfect representation of the Beach Boys' signature sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Little surfer, little one
Addressing the girl he loves as a young surfer
Made my heart come all undone
Acknowledging the impact she has had on his emotions
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
Asking the surfer girl if she reciprocates his love
Surfer girl, my little surfer girl
Repeated affectionate reference to the surfer girl
I have watched you on the shore
Observing her as she enjoys the beach and ocean
Standing by the ocean's roar
Noting how close she is to the powerful waves
We could ride the surf together
Suggesting a shared pastime and experience
While our love would grow
Expressing romantic intentions for their relationship
In my woody I would take you, everywhere I go
Implying his desire to be with her always, even in his car
So I say from me to you
Starting a declaration of his feelings
I will make your dreams come true
Promising to fulfill her aspirations
Little one, girl surfer, girl, my little surfer girl
Final affectionate address to the surfer girl
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Brian Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
What a splendid song by The Beach Boys. They really were a great band.
@jmmatthews3115
My dad passed away this year. He went to high school in the 60's and loved the music from that era. I remember riding around with him when I was a kid and listening to the "Oldies" on the radio. Everytime I hear the Beach Boys it reminds me of him. Love you Dad. RIP.
@gigiuvvu
my dad passed away too , just a week ago from covid , and he loved this song too
@austinstratman1809
God bless your Dad and Hook 'em Horns!
@ayrintiyapidenetimltd.sti.2108
so sad for your loss..R.I.P..
@feathersheathers4823
I lost my dad in 2017. He grew up loving The Beach Boys as well. I listen to them and imagine him as a young man. I’m sorry for your loss.
@immunegarden5104
When I was a kid my parents did the same... My dad is 69 and my mother 61.. Both have health issues.... Serious ! I don't know you but I love you.😊
@stevenmay2863
Such a special song for me. I was just 13 or 14 years old and my first love had just broken up with me. I was walking home at night carrying my radio. I sat down and looked up at the full moon and I could see some clouds going by. This song came on the radio. I remember this like yesterday. I am now 71 years old. Believe it or not, it still hurts, but I start smiling because I am so fortunate to remember this.
@user-ii4zf5iq3t
I was 12. Wasn't it a grand time. Times were so much brighter and warmer and hopeful then. 💕
@jacksemporiumofstuff
I wish I could have experienced the 60s. Born in '72.......🤏 "missed it by that much!" The 50s and 60s just seem like such an exciting time to have been alive. Thanks for sharing your memory!!