Beach Boys Songs List For A Surf Rock Wedding Playlist
Updated November 25, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell
The Beach Boys are an American California) rock band. The initial band members included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.
The band holds the American record for the most Top 40 hits at thirty-six and four reached number one. The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
For the ultimate Beach Boys fan, be sure to watch the movie Love & Mercy as it depicts the life of Brian Wilson. The life of the Beach Boys started their number one journey with I Get Around in 1964.
In 1988, the Beach Boys had their largest-selling number-one hit of all time, Kokomo, featured in the movie Cocktail.
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Top Beach Boys Big Hits
#1 Good Vibrations
Released in 1966 on the album Smiley Smile
The song is generated from getting good vibrations aka good feelings about someone.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Close my eyes, she’s somehow closer now
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
When I look in her eyes
She goes with me to a blossom world
#2 Kokomo
Released in 1988 on the album Cocktail Soundtrack and Still Cruisin’
The song tells the story of two lovers taking a trip to a relaxing island in the Florida Keys called Kokomo.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
oh I want to take you down to
Kokomo, we’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we want to go, way down in Kokomo
Tip
Next, read The Beatles’ wedding songs for the ceremony and reception.
#3 Surfin’ U.S.A.
Released in 1963 on the album The Beach Boys
The song was the Beach Boys’ first big American hit and peaked at number three.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You’d see them wearing their baggies
Huarache sandals too
A bushy bushy blond hairdo
Surfin’ U.S.A
#4 Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Released in 1966 on the album Pet Sounds
The song describes what every child thinks while growing up.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You know it’s gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together
Tip
Check out a list of Chuck Berry’s biggest hits.
#5 California Girls
Released in 1965 on the album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Did you know the song was written after Brian Wilson’s first experience with LSD?
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
#6 I Get Around
Released in 1964 on the album All Summer Long
I Get Around was The Beach Boys’ first number-one hit song in the United States.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
We always take my car ’cause it’s never been beat
And we’ve never missed yet with the girls we meet
None of the guys go steady ’cause it wouldn’t be right
To leave their best girl home now on Saturday night
#7 Fun, Fun, Fun
Released in 1964 on the album Shut Down Volume 2
The story of the song is about a teenage girl taking her father’s car out for a ride.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And she’ll have fun fun fun
‘Til her daddy takes the T-bird away
#8 God Only Knows
Released in 1966 on the album Pet Sounds
The great debate about this song was whether or not to have the word “God” in the song title. No one had really done it before since God Bless America.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me
God only knows what I’d be without you
#9 Little Saint Nick
Released in 1963 on the album The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album
The song is considered one of the most popular Christmas-themed songs of all time.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Just a little bobsled we call the old Saint Nick
But she’ll walk a toboggan with a four-speed stick
She’s candy apple red with a ski for a wheel
And when Santa hits the gas man just watch her peel
#10 Barbara Ann
Released in 1965 on the album Beach Boys’ Party!
The song was also made popular by Jan & Dean. The Beach Boys version peaked at number two.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Take my hand
You got me rockin’ and a rollin’
Rockin’ and a reelin’
Barbara Ann
Tip
The Beach Boys Highest-Charting Singles
- #1 I Get Around, 1964
- #1 Help Me, Rhonda, 1965
- #1 Good Vibrations, 1966
- #1 Kokomo, 1988
- #2 Barbara Ann, 1965
- #3 Surfin’ U.S.A., 1963
- #3 California Girls, 1965
- #3 Sloop John B, 1966
- #5 Fun, Fun, Fun, 1964
- #5 Rock and Roll Music, 1976
- #6 Be True to Your School, 1963
- #7 Surfer Girl, 1963
- #8 Dance, Dance, Dance, 1964
- #8 Wouldn’t It Be Nice, 1966
- #9 When I Grow Up (To Be a Man), 1964
- #11 Wishing You Were Here (with Chicago), 1974
- #12 Do You Wanna Dance?, 1965
- #12 Heroes and Villains, 1967
- #12 The Beach Boys Medley, 1981
- #12 Wipeout! (with The Fat Boys), 1987
- #14 Surfin’ Safari, 1962
- #15 Little Deuce Coupe, 1963
If you don’t agree with my list of Beach Boys’ top songs, be sure to leave a comment below. What is your favorite Beach Boys song?
Why trust ?
DJ, Author, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.
what happened to the song Cease to exist, and was change to Never learn not to love by Dennis Wilson that was written by Charles manson.
Hi BJ. Thanks for this history lesson. I did not know that Charles Manson, who recently passed away, had a connection to Dennis Wilson and as a result the Beach Boys. Due to the evilness of Charles Manson, the Beach Boys’ song Never Learn Not to Love will not be included on our list.