In October 2011, NME placed it at number 60 on its list of the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
Upon its initial release in September 2009, "Let's Go Surfing" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 107, narrowly missing out on the top 100. However, after receiving airplay from BBC Radio 1 DJs such as Fearne Cotton, the single re-entered the top 100 at number 87 on 14 August 2010; as a result of the reissue. The single then continued to rise, climbing 20 places to number 67 the following week and eventually reaching a peak position of number 63 on 28 August 2010, marking the band's most successful single to date.
Vocalist Jonathan Pierce was asked by Q magazine November 2009 if he actually can surf. He replied: "I've surfed a couple of times but I can only stand being in the ocean for five minutes before I go running for the sand. 'Let's Go Surfing' is more about the spirit behind surfing."
The song features Pierce whistling. He told Q magazine: "I'm more of hummer on a day to day basis."
This features on The Drums' debut EP Summertime! EP, which came out in the fall. Pierce told Q: "Good planning. Bad execution. I did wonder if we should change the title to Reflections of Summertime."
Pierce expanded on the song to Q magazine: "It's not about surfing but unbridled freedom, reveling in the end of the Bush era."
Pierce recalled to the NME January 9, 2010: "The whole Summertime EP was accidental. When me and Jacob (Graham, guitar) recorded it, I'd come from freezing New York to baking Florida and we were surrounded by beaches and classic American summery things. A bunch of songs with those themes popped out, so we gathered them together, leaving the others for later."
After announcing this would be culled from the Drums debut album, there was a subsequent change of heart. Pierce reasoned to the NME omitting it would be "like going to see a band live and them missing out the song that got you into them in the first place."
The Drums told The NME that it was Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election which inspired the track. "We actually wrote it on the day that Obama won the election, and everyone was so excited," explained guitarist Jacob Graham. "We're not very political and we don't usually know what's going on, but in America you couldn't really help but know what was going on and get excited about it."
Frontman Jonathan Pierce added that the song was fuelled by the relief the whole country was feeling after Republican George W Bush's departure from office after eight years in office. "The whole country had suffered eight years of feeling like we were in prison or something and then Obama came through and it was impossible not to get swept up with the whole nation, so that's when we wrote 'Let's Go Surfing'," he said. "If you listen to the second verse it's very clearly about Obama being brought into the White House and (how) things might change.
Nothing really changed - well, a few things changed., Everything was so sensationalised and romanticised, so 'Let's Go Surfing' is about unbridled freedom."
Lets Go Surfing
The Drums Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a beautiful morning
Honey, while the sun is still shining
Wake up
Would you like to go with me?
Honey, take a run down to the beach
Oh, mama
Oh, mama
I don't care about nothing
Wake up
There's a new kid in the town
Honey, he's moving into the big house
Remember
When I was so very hopeless
Darling, he's gonna make it all better
Oh, mama
I wanna go surfing
Oh, mama
I don't care about nothing
Down, down baby
Down by the rollercoaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
Down, down baby
Down by the rollercoaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
Down, down baby
Down by the rollercoaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
Down, down baby
Down by the rollercoaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
Oh, mama
I wanna go surfing
Oh, mama
I don't care about nothing
Oh, mama
I wanna go surfing
Oh, mama
I don't care about nothing
Down, down baby
Down by the rollercoaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
Down, down baby
Down by the rollercoaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
The Drumsβ song βLetβs Go Surfingβ is an upbeat pop-rock tune about the desire for escape and a carefree life. Vocalist Jonny Pierce introduces this positive energy with the opening lyrics, βWake up, itβs a beautiful morning. Honey, while the sun is still shining.β Itβs a message encouraging the listener to seize the day and make the most of it. The invitation to go to the beach continues the idea of lifeβs pleasures, as the chorus repeats the lines, βOh mama, I wanna go surfing. Oh mama, I donβt care about nothing.β This expression of freedom and joy encapsulates the overall vibe of the song.
Later in the song, Pierce sings about a new kid in town who seems to have a promising future. Despite this, heβs still yearning for that feeling of freedom he experiences in the waves. Although the changes that a new transplant brings to a place can be exciting, Pierce is content with the simplicity of surfing and spending time with his honey. The repetition of the lines, βDown, down baby, down by the rollercoaster, sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you goβ further emphasize the romantic aspect of the song, pairing the excitement of the fair and rollercoasters with the beauty and simplicity of love. Ultimately, βLet's Go Surfingβ is a call to action to prioritize the simple pleasures in life and let go of anything that may be holding you back.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up
It's time to start your day
It's a beautiful morning
The day looks promising and lovely
Honey, while the sun is still shining
Let's take advantage of the good weather
Would you like to go with me?
Do you want to come along?
Honey, take a run down to the beach
Let's go to the beach together and have some fun
Oh, mama
Expression of excitement or anticipation
I wanna go surfing
I want to ride the waves on a surfboard
I don't care about nothing
Nothing else matters
There's a new kid in the town
There's a newcomer in town
Honey, he's moving into the big house
He's living in a fancy house
Remember
Recalling a past experience
When I was so very hopeless
When I was feeling down and lost
Darling, he's gonna make it all better
The newcomer will improve things
Down, down baby
Let's get low
Down by the rollercoaster
Near the amusement ride
Sweet, sweet baby, I'll never let you go
Expressing a desire to be forever close and loyal
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jonathan Pierce
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HealeyAbby
This band needs to be more recognized, they are really good
@TeVoyAMear
Adivina
@Vex331
That aged very well.
@familiamegnasuarez250
This comento hace 11 years AND this banda don't arΓ© famous π
@RandomNonsense1985
Not a band anymore, but the lead singer still uses the band name for his current work.
@greatoheight8693
All of his voice overs are
@VGBNDGRL
back as a freshman in high school, as I was discovering The Drums a whole 11 years ago, I was in a theater class and one of our projects was to choreograph and come up with a "music video". I chose this song and led the project with my classmates. It was a funny time, because no one would take theater back then, it was just for theater geeks and people who had left their electives for the last minute. I hated performing in that class, I wasn't even into theater. But when I was able to get all of my group coordinated with my idea, have them visualize everything I had envisioned, that was fascinating to me. We ended up getting the highest grade for the project, and everyone LOVED our little live music video and of course, they also loved the song.
@JacksonJacksonJacksonJackson
I kinda want to see that π
@Kylirr
wholesome moment
@sendneutrals
@@JacksonJacksonJacksonJackson literally!! I wanna see this project now. I love this comment good for you girly. @VGBNDGRL