I’m writing this on June 20, 2024, which is when this year’s summer solstice happens. In addition to today being the astrological start of the 2024 summer season, it’s also the 82nd birthday of musician, songwriter, and producer Brian Wilson, one of the founding members of The Beach Boys.
I don’t think I’d be too out of line here to suggest that The Beach Boys are probably the first band a lot of people think of when they think of ‘summer music.’ Over many years, the band recorded several feel-good hit songs that have, in one way or another, something to do with summer.
With only a small handful of exceptions, Brian Wilson wrote or co-wrote (and produced) most of those hits. He also sang lead or co-lead on many of them.
To celebrate the start of summer and Brian’s 82nd birthday, I’ve created a Spotify playlist featuring 82 of my favorite songs by The Beach Boys. If you’d like to give it a listen, here it is:
I’d like to shine an imaginary spotlight on six songs from the playlist, including a few classics and a few newer songs that some of you may be unfamiliar with.
In My Room
This song first appeared on The Beach Boys’ third album, Surfer Girl, in 1963. It’s always been one of my favorites by them. When I first heard it as a kid in the 1970s, I could very much relate to a lot of the lyrics in it — and I can still relate to them a bit now. In addition to the great lyrics and the beautiful music of “In My Room,” Brian’s lead vocals on it are truly fantastic.
Don’t Worry Baby
“Don’t Worry Baby” first appeared on the band’s 1964 album Shut Down, Volume 2 in 1964. Brian’s main inspiration for it was The Ronette’s 1963 hit “Be My Baby,” which Brian has often said is his favorite song ever.
His initial hope was that The Ronettes would record “Don’t Worry Baby,” but it was later decided that he would hold onto it for The Beach Boys instead. I’m sure The Ronettes would have done a great job singing the song, but I’m glad things worked out the way they did. Brian’s vocals on it are amazing.
Surf’s Up (The 2019 Brian Wilson Lead Vocal Mix)
Multiple versions of this song were recorded by the band in the 1960s, with the most popular probably being the Carl Wilson-sung version on the band’s 1971 album Surf’s Up. While I love that one, I have a preference for this version sung by Brian, which was recorded in the ’60s but not officially released until many years later.
The following four songs are the closing “suite” of The Beach Boys’ reunion album, That’s Why God Made The Radio, which was released in 2012. It was their first studio album of new material in 20 years and it was their first with Brian Wilson since their Still Cruisin’ album in 1989.
Strange World
This may be my favorite song on the album. Brian’s lead vocals and the background vocals by the other Beach Boys are spectacular here. It was so great to hear all of those great voices together again.
From There To Back Again
This also may be my favorite song on the album. I just can’t decide! It’s a good thing I don’t actually have to.
The first part of this song is sung wonderfully by Al Jardine. And then those great classic Beach Boys’ harmonies kick in and…oh, man…it’s so nice to listen to! Brian sings lead on the final verse and it’s a perfect way to end the song.
Pacific Coast Highway
Brian sings lead here on this great song that deals with the passing of time. It’s a short one but it’s a great one.
Summer’s Gone
This was the last song on the album. If That’s Why God Made The Radio turns out to be The Beach Boys’ final album, which is very likely given their ages and Brian Wilson’s recent health problems, I think that “Summer’s Gone” is a wonderful and lovely final song for them.
In addition to being a big fan of Brian Wilson’s works with The Beach Boys, I’m also a big huge of his solo recordings. Therefore, I decided to create a separate Spotify playlist devoted to his solo works. However, I didn’t limit myself to a mere 82 songs for this one. It currently contains 106 songs — and I may add more to it later.
If you listen, I hope you enjoy it.
On a very related note…I was recently joined on my GOTTA POP podcast by my fellow music lover and writer Jessica Lee McMillan and we discussed The Beach Boys’ album Pet Sounds and Brian Wilson’s album Smile. If you’re a fan of those albums, you may enjoy our episode. Below are the YouTube and Spotify versions of it.
On one last related note…
Happy Summer
This article was originally posted on Medium.
Buddy Gott 