Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the original group comprised singer-musician-composer and bandleader Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a temporary replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to pursue a career in dentistry.
On their first few studio albums, the group primarily played surf music, but this changed after 1964 as their songs became more sophisticated and autobiographical. The 1965 album Today! particularly represented this shift in sound. Bruce Johnston joined the group that same year. Session drummer Hal Blaine is quoted: "We all studied in conservatories; we were trained musicians. We thought it was a fluke at first, but then we realized Brian was writing these incredible songs. This was not just a young kid writing about high school and surfing."
Following their most esteemed work, Pet Sounds (1966), the band became symbols of psychedelic counterculture. The highly anticipated follow-up, Smile, was left unfinished, and Brian soon relinquished his creative hold on the group. A trilogy of lo-fi releases followed: Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), and Friends (1968). Brian would not be credited as a primary composer for any Beach Boys album until 1977's Love You, an album on the fringe of synth-pop, new wave, and punk.
In Brian's absence, the Beach Boys still managed to release music that was regarded favorably by fans and critics despite poor sales: Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971). South African musicians Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar played and sang with the band on the next two albums: Carl & the Passions - So Tough (1972), and Holland (1973).
Many changes in both musical style and personnel have occurred in their sometimes-stormy career: Brian Wilson's mental illness and drug addiction; the deaths of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998; and continuing legal battles among surviving members of the group. With the release of 1974's Endless Summer they became a more popular touring act, playing their greatest hits. They have recorded 36 Billboard Top 40 hits (including four number-one singles), have had over 100 million sales, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Official site: http://www.thebeachboys.com
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
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