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Friday, December 16, 2011

Song / Classic What Is the Best Beach Boys Song?

Posted by on Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM

The Beach Boys are reuniting, so it might be an opportune time to ponder this important subject. I will go on record, again, as saying that the Beach Boys’ best song is “Feel Flows,” with “’Til I Die” a close second (both appear on the sporadically brilliant 1971 LP Surf’s Up). “Good Vibrations”—sorry for the obviousness—comes in at a close third. I spilled a lot of ink about “Feel Flows” in this blog post at my old job in Orange County. Every word in it is true—especially "goosebumpage."

However, I’m fully aware that a lot of you have tragically flawed different views on this topic. Please list your favorite Beach Boys song in comments and name your favorite Wilson brother, if you’re so inclined. (Mine’s Dennis, because he had the raddest beard.)

 

Comments (21) RSS

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Eli 1
Feel flows is probably my favorite as well. Close seconds to Cabinessence or All I Wanna Do (or another ten songs i am thinking about right now). I got a lotta love for Sail on Sailor too if we are talking about for real late period Beach Boys.

Also, Carl 4 eva.
Posted by Eli http://www.thecrocodile.com on December 16, 2011 at 12:56 PM
2
Don't Worry Baby will always be my favorite. Tried to think of my other top 3, but couldn't choose between about 30 others.

I know most people's choices will be the Pet Sounds to Surf's Up era, but so much of the early stuff is amazing too. The Beach Boys are just like the Beatles, you get into the more experimental later period stuff as a stoner teenager and then work your way back through their amazing earlier work.

And I 2nd Dennis.
Posted by Cappelletti on December 16, 2011 at 1:40 PM
3
For me, it is all about the Sloop John B. And Dennis is my number one.
Posted by Greydon Clark on December 16, 2011 at 1:42 PM
4
That one about cars and girls and surfing.
Posted by Mike Ramos on December 16, 2011 at 2:16 PM
5
1. Warmth of the Sun; 2.In My Room - both melancholic but lots of sentimental value. they helped me get through my parents divorce when i was 9. cried in my room while i listened to early beach boys lp's during this tough period.
Posted by Brecken on December 16, 2011 at 2:52 PM
6
God Only Knows.
Posted by ratzkywatzky on December 16, 2011 at 3:04 PM
derek_erdman 7
Girl Don't Tell Me!
Posted by derek_erdman http://www.derekerdman.com on December 16, 2011 at 3:41 PM
8
Sloop John B.

And how can I not adore Brian? I saw Brian Wilson at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, at the start of his comeback, for a whole ten bucks. Absolutely astounding.

And I should take the moment to recite the obvious lyrics: "I love my Carl. I love my Brian, my Dennis, and my Al. I can even find it in my heart to love Mike Love." (Belle & Sebastian)
Posted by BD on December 16, 2011 at 5:44 PM
9
#1 - God Only Knows
#2 - The Man with all the Toys
Posted by Dod on December 16, 2011 at 7:17 PM
10
in no particular order: God Only Knows, Aren't You Glad, Good Vibrations, Country Air, Little Bird, Hang On To Your Ego, Wouldn't it Be Nice, Help Me, Rhonda (album version with the fucked up stereo pans)....probably others as well.

And it's Carl.
Posted by cb on December 16, 2011 at 9:18 PM
hello/goodbye stranger 11
"Feel Flows" & "Good Vibrations" - revelatory & remind me to be glad i can still listen/be alive today, in that order.
Posted by hello/goodbye stranger http://saudadetoday.blogspot.com/ on December 17, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Jennifer in Chicago 12
Kokomo, for the muppets.
Smile
God Only Knows
Wouldn't it be Nice
Fun fun Fun

Everything about girls and surfing.

Always liked them.
Posted by Jennifer in Chicago http://truthinessandbullshit.blogspot.com on December 17, 2011 at 4:37 AM
tallchris 13
"God Only Knows".
Posted by tallchris http://policeteeth.bandcamp.com on December 17, 2011 at 8:40 AM
corey j brewer 14
Never Learn Not to Love or Kokomo? jk, I really like Child is the Father of the Man, and Surfer Girl. God Only Knows and Warmth of the Sun are up there aswell.
Posted by corey j brewer http://coreyjbrewer.tumblr.com/ on December 17, 2011 at 9:17 AM
15
I gotta go with Wouldn't it Be Nice or Surfer Girl... so happy to hear they ones left standing are reuniting. And please lord NO JOHN STAMOS.
Posted by Huggilicious on December 17, 2011 at 11:47 PM
16
Feel Flows might be the greatest BB song not written by Brian Wilson, but let's get real here. Brian is the Man.
Posted by Huggilicious on December 17, 2011 at 11:50 PM
17
Heroes & Villains!
Posted by the shape on December 18, 2011 at 4:08 AM
18
@16 Respect to Brian and all, but I'm never more real than when I'm ranking "Feel Flows" as the greatest Beach Boys song.
Posted by Dave Segal on December 18, 2011 at 6:36 PM
Keekee 19
"Sail On Sailor" is my most recent fave. "God Only Knows" was the first dance song at my wedding & I think "'till I Die" is mind-blowingly good.

Now to be obscure -- anybody ever hear "Chasing the Sky"??? It's their take on Hair-Metal, believe it or not. Really good cheese.

Carl was my favorite. Something about that boyish face...
Posted by Keekee on December 19, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Keekee 20
As a matter of fact, I think I want "'till I Die" played at my funeral.
Posted by Keekee on December 19, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Superfrankenstein 21
God Only Knows.
Posted by Superfrankenstein http://twitter.com/TomPeyer on December 20, 2011 at 10:34 AM

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