To many people The Beach Boy's greatest song is Good Vibrations/God Only Knows.

[Nice Relaxing Poo]

....but we all know that it's Surf's Up don't we?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyOYQ8qfFng&ab_channel=Stereonave


The outro alone is just worth a massive musical wank forever. Fucking perfection...

[Johnny Textface]

"Busy Doin' Nothin'" is the greatest so there.

[daf]

Somewhere Near Japan (1989)

(Particularly Carl's "I'm throwing out a Lifeline" bit)

[Brundle-Fly]

"Busy Doin' Nothin'" is the greatest so there.

...and the very first satnav.

[imitationleather]

It's obviously Summer of Love.

[Jockice]

I'm actually bizarrely fond of Lady Lynda. It's not their best though - I'd say that was Surfin' USA - but it is nearly up there.

[daf]

LA is a great album - including the 10 minute disco workout (I wish they'd done a whole album like that!)

[gilbertharding]

....but we all know that it's Surf's Up don't we?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyOYQ8qfFng&ab_channel=Stereonave


The outro alone is just worth a massive musical wank forever. Fucking perfection...

So many genius moments on that album - which according to Spotify is only 33 minutes long. Special mentions for Long Promised Road, Don't Go Near the Water... When I first listened to it, the entire second side blended into one.

[rue the polywhirl]

I reckon the people have gotten this one right. Good Vibrations and God Only Knows are easily their best tracks. Surf's Up is pretty in places but a bit too much of a stitchwork and more of a what-could-have-been kind of track.

[Aleister Growley]

It's "This Whole World" for me....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPe78FgI9ro

Aum bop diddit !

Come on!

[Brundle-Fly]

In My Room is high up for me but surely Wouldn't It Be Nice is worthy of being in the top three?

[Captain Z]

....but we all know that it's Surf's Up don't we?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyOYQ8qfFng&ab_channel=Stereonave


The outro alone is just worth a massive musical wank forever. Fucking perfection...

When does it get going?

[Aleister Growley]

I used to love "Wouldn't it be nice" but it's been used on so many adverts I can hardly bear to listen to it now.

Damn you Persil Automatic.

The mash-up with "A Finger of Fudge" is still good though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDyWLOgInuU

[Sebastian Cobb]

I like Fun Fun Fun.

[pigamus]

It's just all so fucking chirpy. I can't stand it.

[Pauline Walnuts]

I can't stand the Screech Boys, but 'Hey Little Tomboy' is clearly the best.

[Brundle-Fly]

It's just all so fucking chirpy. I can't stand it.

How is God Only Knows or Surfs Up in any way 'chirpy'?

[jaydee81]

I've been to two weddings where God Only Knows was the first dance. Eurgh.

'Til I Die (alternate mix) for me

[Psmith]

Little Deuce Coupe the B side of Surfer Girl.
I first heard it in 63.We didn't talk like that in the UK at the time.

"Just a little deuce coupe with a flat head mill
But she'll walk a Thunderbird like (she's) it's standin's 'till
She's ported and relieved and she's stroked and bored.
She'll do a hundred and forty with the top end floored
She's my little deuce coupe"

And it's short so no boring bits.

[markburgle]

It's just all so fucking chirpy. I can't stand it.

Check out Til I Die. That's my Beach Boys jam. That's probably why I can't get with them generally.

[DrGreggles]

I Get Around probably gets taken for granted, but what a fucking amazing pop song.

[studpuppet]

For me (Clive), it's Warmth Of The Sun.

[kalowski]

I've been to two weddings where God Only Knows was the first dance. Eurgh.

Nice. "I may not always love you."

[studpuppet]

Nice. "I may not always love you."

My mate's was The Carnival Is Over

Now the harbour light is calling
This will be our last goodbye
Though the carnival is over
I will love you till I die

[Goldentony]

it's the opener to LOVE YOU - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMTMTQkyIvY

then the acapella version of Forever, then the album version of Forever - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHA65ZadrjM / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tokxcbu_Uo

then the studio demo of River Song that Dennis ended up releasing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJeHcHzGyZQ

These are in no order but the River Song demo is the pinnacle

[Non Stop Dancer]

Nice. "I may not always love you."

Unless you're joking, you might have misunderstood the lyric.

[kalowski]

Unless you're joking, you might have misunderstood the lyric.

No. I just imagine what that first line sounds like during the first dance, no matter what else is to come.

[GoblinAhFuckScary]

Surfs Up is perfect

[purlieu]

Surf's Up is gorgeous and you'd have to be mad not to think so, but they never topped God Only Knows. It's one of those songs that's basically weatherproof for me. No matter the context I hear it, no matter how many people talk about it being one of the greatest songs ever, whenever I hear it it still exists in its own little musical universe where perfection is the only possibility. The final minute is absolutely impossible to top. There are pieces of music that I've had more of an emotional response to, for various reasons, but God Only Knows is pretty much note-for-note perfection.

[SteveDave]

I'd go for "The Trader" or "Feel Flows"