Ron Wilson's energetic drum solo helped make "Wipe Out" the one of the best-remembered instrumental song of the period. "Wipe Out" is also remembered particularly for its introduction before the music starts, a cracking sound (imitating a breaking surf board), and a manic voice babbling "ha ha ha ha ha wipe out". A "wipe out" is a misfortune that can occur in surfing, that is, the surfer falling off the board with physical danger, and/or interrupting the ride prematurely. The song is generally regarded as being the surfing anthem.
The band released a series of records, with only one other single, "Point Panic", having any impact on the charts. Point Panic is a renowned surfing venue in Hawaii.
The Surfaris disbanded in 1966 but have periodically reunited and are still active as of 2004, performing and recording, often re-recording their old songs.
Drummer Ron Wilson died on May 7, 1989, one month short of his 45th birthday. Wilson had released an album of his songs, entitled "Lost It In The Surf", on Bennet House Records of Grass Valley, California, recorded in June 1987. A very small number of cassettes of this album were produced. "Lost It In The Surf" included a cover of "Louie, Louie" with Scottish bagpipes.
Forssi died from a brain tumor in 1998, and Pash died from heart failure in 2005.
Bob Berryhill currently performs worldwide under the Surfaris banner as "Bob Berryhill's Surfaris."
The Surfaris with Bob Berryhill in 2015 released a critically acclaimed album entitled "The Surfaris Hurley Sessions.". See discography below.
Jim Fuller played with his own band, "Jim Fuller and the Beatnik", and died on 3 March 2017 in Monrovia, California at age 69. Connolly has since left the music business.
California Girls
The Surfaris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls a with the way they talk
They knock me out way low down there
The men with Farmer's daughters really
Make you feel alright
Then the Northern girls a with the way they kiss
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
The West Coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tan
I dig the French bikini and Friday out with the girls
By a palm tree in the sand whoo
I've been all around this spring
And I've seen all kinds of girls
Yeah, but I can't wait to get back in the shades
That's where the cutest girls in the world
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls, girls
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls.
The Surfaris’s song California Girls is a celebration of the various regions in the United States and their women. It begins by praising the East Coast girls and their fashion styles. Then, it moves down to the South, where the girls’ manner of speaking captivates the singer's interest. The song's attention is quickly drawn to Farmer's daughters and their ability to make men feel good. Next in line are the Northern girls, with their kissing technique that keeps their men warm at night. Despite all these impressive traits, the singer wishes they all could be California girls since the West Coast has the sunshine and gorgeous tanned girls. The song culminates in the singer's desire to go back and bask in the shades where the cutest girls in the world hang out.
The lyrics of the song could be perceived as sexist because they objectify women and reduce their worth to only their looks and actions. The song is essentially a declaration of the singer's quest for the perfect woman, and he believes that he can only find that in California.
However, the song has become an iconic piece that pays tribute to the American dream of freedom, beauty, and liberalism. It talks about the different regions in the US and how their diversity contributes to America's greatness. With its catchy tune, the song has become a timeless classic and a symbol of the 60s era.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, East Coast girls are hip
The singer finds East Coast girls fashionable and cool.
I really dig those styles they wear
The singer likes the clothing choices of East Coast girls.
And the Southern girls a with the way they talk
The singer is entranced by the accent used by Southern girls.
They knock me out way low down there
The artist finds Southern girls very attractive.
The men with Farmer's daughters really
The artist finds that the men dating Farmer's daughters are satisfied.
Make you feel alright
Dating Farmer's daughters is a positive experience for the singer.
Then the Northern girls a with the way they kiss
The singer is taken in by the kissing style of Northern girls.
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
Northern girls are good at keeping their significant others comfortable.
I wish they all could be California
The artist would love it if all the girls he likes lived in California.
I wish they all could be California
The artist repeats his desire for all his desired girls to live in California.
I wish they all could be California girls
The singer wants all girls who match his preferred attractions to live in California.
The West Coast has the sunshine
The artist enjoys the sunny climate on the West Coast.
And the girls all get so tan
The girls living on the West Coast are known for their frequent tanning.
I dig the French bikini and Friday out with the girls
The singer enjoys spending time with girls wearing popular French bikinis.
By a palm tree in the sand whoo
Enjoying time with girls wearing French bikinis on the beach is particularly appealing to the singer.
I've been all around this spring
The artist has been traveling and seeing different types of girls this season.
And I've seen all kinds of girls
The artist has had a chance to observe girls from different regions.
Yeah, but I can't wait to get back in the shades
Despite seeing different girls, the singer is looking forward to returning to the West Coast.
That's where the cutest girls in the world
The singer thinks the West Coast has the best-looking girls.
I wish they all could be California
The artist repeats his wish for all attractive girls to live in California.
I wish they all could be California
The artist continues to hope that all girls with his preferred attractions live in California.
I wish they all could be California girls
The artist concludes with a repeated wish for his ideal girls to live in California.
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls, girls
The singer repeats his love for girls.
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls
The artist repeats his affection for girls.
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls
The singer emphasizes his infatuation with girls.
Yeah, I dig the girls, girls, girls.
The singer concludes with a reiteration of his love for girls.
Writer(s): Love Mike E, Wilson Brian Douglas
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.