The Beach Boys

Album cover, Surfer Girl - the Beach Boys

Album cover, Pet Sounds - the Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American rock and roll band from California, formed in 1957 by four cousins: Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and their cousin Mike Love, initially managed by their father Murry. Later additions to the band included Glen Campbell and Bruce Johnston.

Their first hit, "Surfin' USA", was responsible for exposing surf music, at the time a local phenomenon originated by Dick Dale, to a much wider national and international audience.

The early albums of The Beach Boys are fairly standard rock and roll featuring surf- and drag-themed tunes and various rock and roll standards, played with the typical surf reverb guitar and extensive and surprisingly complex vocal harmonies. With time, Brian, the primary songwriter, became more experimental culminating in the band's acknowledged masterpiece, Pet Sounds.

Their songs were by turns poignant, thoughtful, sensitive and funny, but always realistic and kind-hearted.

• "Wouldn't It Be Nice" - a young man looks forward to married life with his fiancee
• "Surfin' Safari" - the guys are ready to hit the beach
• "Surfin' U.S.A." - same as above
• "409" - boasting about a hot rod
• "Little Deuce Coupe" - same as above
• "Surfer Girl" - wanting to go steady
• "In My Room" - about prayer
• "Be True To Your School" - loyalty to a higher purpose than oneself
• "Fun, Fun, Fun" - what happens to girl who lies to her dad
• Don't Worry Baby - reassurance
• "I Get Around" - group loyalty in the community
• "Wendy"
• "When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)" - probably their best song, about maturity and becoming a responsible husband and family man
• "California Girls"
• "Help Me, Rhonda"
• "Barbara Ann" (45 Version)
• "Sloop John B" - Caribbean folk song
• "God Only Knows"
• "Good Vibrations" (45 Version)
• "Our Prayer" (Previously Unreleased)
• "Kokomo"