Best Beach Boys Songs – Top 10 All-Time
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.
Read similar artist song lists:
Best Beach Boys Wedding Songs
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Beach Boys song list curated by Matthew Campbell
10. Barbara Ann
Released in 1965
On Album Beach Boys’ Party!
The song was also made popular by Jan & Dean. The Beach Boys version peaked at number two.
Take my hand
You got me rockin’ and a rollin’
Rockin’ and a reelin’
Barbara Ann
9. Little Saint Nick
Released in 1963
On Album The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album
The song is considered one of the most popular Christmas themed songs of all-time.
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
8. God Only Knows
Released in 1966
On Album Pet Sounds
The great debate about this song was to whether or not to have the word “God” in the song title. No one had really done it before since God Bless America.
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me
God only knows what I’d be without you
7. Fun, Fun, Fun
Released in 1964
On Album Shut Down Volume 2
The story of the song is about a teenage girl taking her father’s car out for a ride.
And she’ll have fun fun fun
‘Til her daddy takes the T-bird away
6. I Get Around
Released in 1964
On Album All Summer Long
I Get Around was The Beach Boys’ first number-one hit song in the United States.
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
5. California Girls
Released in 1965
On Album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Did you know the song was written after Brian Wilson’s first experience with LSD?
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
4. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Released in 1966
On Album Pet Sounds
The song describes what every child thinks while growing up.
You know it’s gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together
3. Surfin’ U.S.A.
Released in 1963
On Album The Beach Boys
The song was the Beach Boys’ first big American hit and peaked at number three.
You’d see them wearing their baggies
Huarache sandals too
A bushy bushy blond hairdo
Surfin’ U.S.A
2. Kokomo
Released in 1988
On Album Cocktail Soundtrack and Still Cruisin’
The song tells a story of two lovers taking a trip to a relaxing island in the Florida Keys called Kokomo.
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
1. Good Vibrations
Released in 1966
On Album Smiley Smile
The song generated from getting good vibrations aka good feelings about someone.
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
If you don’t agree with our list of Beach Boys Top 10 Songs, be sure to leave a comment below.
The Beach Boys Highest-Charting Songs
- #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
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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.