In Honor of Brian Wilson’s Birthday, The Top 5 Beach Boys Hits

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: Musician Brian Wilson performs at Roadside Attraction's
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You can’t really picture the Beach Boys without Brian Wilson. He co-founded the band with some of the happiest, most summery songs in 1961 and has written many of their hit songs. Today, we celebrate his 81st birthday on June 20th! Wilson was raised in California, which helped him to capture some of that surf and sand vibes in the Beach Boys tunes. Over the years, he has served as the band’s songwriter, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist, and producer and was the first pop artist that wrote, arranged, produced, and performed his own songs.

2nd November 1964: American pop group The Beach Boys. Back row - Brian Wilson and Dennis Wilson (1944 - 1983). Front row left to right - Mike Love, Al Jardine and Carl Wilson (1946 - 1998) and Mike Love

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In honor of his special day, let’s go over some of the Beach Boys’ hit songs. According to Rolling Stones’ readers, these are the top five Beach Boys songs! Let us know if you agree or disagree.

“In My Room”

Perhaps one of the more somber ballads that the group has performed, this one could be about Wilson’s mental health issues over the years. With the lyrics, the song shares how one can go into their room and feel safe to work through some hardships.

“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”

Beach Boys fans know that the album Pet Sounds is truly a national treasure. This song on the album is just what you’d expect from the group: an upbeat love song that is pure delight for the ears.

“Surf’s Up”

“Surf’s Up” appears on the album by the same name but was originally supposed to be on the album Smile. The song is a more serious one and doesn’t actually have anything to do with surfing but the lyrics refer to a man experiencing a spiritual awakening at a concert hall. This one was co-written by Wilson and Van Dyke Parks.

“Good Vibrations”

This song has long been called one of the best and most interesting pop hits of the ’60s. It includes some very unique instruments including the electro-theremin, cello, tack piano, and jaw harp.

“God Only Knows”

Paul McCartney once said this was his favorite song of all time. It really is a beautiful work of art and a gorgeous love song. Perhaps the band’s most well-known song, it was sung by the late Carl Wilson and written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher.

Which one is your favorite?

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Summer's Biggest Movies, Music & TV

July 2017

Summer nights at the drive-in, summer love, songs for the beach and tiki time!

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