The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of… Read Full Bio ↴The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in the history of popular music due to their intricate vocal harmonies, studio experiments, and novel approaches to pop songwriting. Rooted in doo-wop and rock and roll, their early string of vocal surf hits defined the '60s California Sound. For a period afterward, they notably delved into progressive pop styles. often combining elements from classical and jazz in innovative ways.

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

Surfin'
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Bom bom dit di dit dip
Bom bom dit di dit dip
I got up this mornin' 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

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

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

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 dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)

Surfin' is the only life the only way for me
Now surf
Surf with me
Bom bom dip di dit
Bom bom dip di dit

Now the dawn is breaking and we really gotta go
But 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 dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)
Surfin' (bom bom dip di dit)

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

Bom bom dip di dit
Bom bom dip di dit

Bom bom dip di dit
Bom bom dip di dit

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' "Surfin'" is a fun, upbeat song that captures the essence of the surfing lifestyle that became popular in the 1960s in California. The lyrics express the joy and thrill of surfing and how it is the only way of life for the singer. He talks about checking the surfing scene on the radio and when he hears that the surf is fine, he knows that he and his partner will have a good time. The song also refers to the latest dance craze called the Surfer's Stomp.

The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm reflect the excitement and speed of surfing. The use of simple and repetitive phrases, such as "Surfin', surfin' with me," adds to the song's energy and excitement. The song's structure is also simple, with a verse-chorus structure, making it easy to sing along.

Overall, "Surfin'" is a fun and lighthearted song that perfectly captures the essence of the surfing lifestyle that became popular among young people in California in the 1960s.

Line by Line Meaning

Surfin' is the only life
For me, there's nothing better than surfing

The only way for me
Surfing is not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle

Now surf, surf with me
Join me in enjoying the waves

Bom bom dit di dit dip
Sound effect imitating waves

I got up this mornin' turned on my radio
I woke up and immediately searched for the latest surf report

I was checkin' on the surfin' scene
I was keeping up with the latest news about the surf

To see if I would go
To decide if I should hit the beach

And when the dj tells me that the surfin' is fine
If the DJ says the waves are good, then it's time to grab my board and head out to the water

That's when I know my baby and I will have a good time
When the surf is good, my partner and I can enjoy a day of fun in the sun

From the early morning to the middle of the night
Anytime is a good time for surfing

Any time the surf is up the time is right
As soon as the waves are good, it's time to hit the beach

And when the surf is down to take its place
If the waves are bad or nonexistent, we'll switch to dancing, which is also fun

We'll do the surfer's stomp, it's the latest dance craze
We'll turn to a new dance craze when we can't surf

Now the dawn is breaking and we really gotta go
As the sun rises, we have to leave, but we'll be back soon

But we'll be back here very soon that you better know
We'll never stay away from the beach for too long

Yeah my surfer knots are rising and my board is losing wax
My hair is messy from surfing all day and my equipment is showing signs of wear, but I won't let that stop me

But that won't stop me baby, 'cause you know I'm coming back
I won't let any obstacles prevent me from surfing, because I'll always come back

Now come on pretty baby and surf with me, yeah
Join me in riding the waves, my love

Bom bom dip di dit
Sound effect imitating waves