June 17, 2016

History of a Vintage Song: California Girls by the Beach Boys


At times it is all too easy to dismiss the Beach Boys as simply being the leaders in the genre that was early to mid-sixties surf culture music, pop stars with catchy tunes and a rather infamous front man (Brian Wilson), but to do would be do commit a great disservice, not only to the Beach Boys themselves, but to the history of mid-century music as a whole.

The Beach Boys were a pop band making pop music (of all sorts and shapes), of that there is no doubt, but they were so much more as well. From their incredible assortment of top hits to their stunning harmonies to the fact that they remain one of the most beloved bands of the 1960s to this very day (with their songs having been used in many TV shows and movies over the years), they are a musical force to be reckoned with and one that I, like so many others, always associate with the sunny, carefree days of summertime.

Growing up Beach Boys albums, tapes and CDs were beyond de rigueur for June straight on through to Labour Day. From birthday parties (mine and my little brother's) to backyard barbeques, tunes blared from a chunky black plastic boom box at the beach to quite evenings spent watching the stars and roasting marshmallows over an open fire as families of bats flitted across the vivid nighttime sky, the Beach Boys were the soundtrack of summer for me and even though a long time has now passed since those bare foot, bathing suit clad days, this point still remains the same.

As such, for this, the second edition in this year's fun new History of a Vintage Song post series (be sure to check out the first entry, My Way by Frank Sinatra, if you haven't done so already), with the official start of summertime less than a week away, it felt as natural as licking a popsicle in August to shine the spotlight on one of the Beach Boy's biggest, best and most beloved hits of all-time.

But which one? That description applies to double digits worth of incredible tunes, many of which I really, really enjoy and pretty much know by heart, so how to choose? Believe me when I say, I didn't pick at random nor was my decision an easy one. I listened to a slew of Beach Boys songs, read up on the back stories of many of them and ultimately decided on a track that has been a toe tapping favourite of mine for as far back as I have memories: California Girls.



{The album cover of Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), which featured California Girls - a song that would quickly become an anthem not only for surfer culture at the time for for summer everywhere from that point onward. To this date, it is believed to have been played millions of times on the radio since the mid-1960s, and will likely continue to appear on the airwaves millions more as the decades roll on.}


A vast amount has been written, said, and filmed about the Beach Boys, and I won't even begin to do anything more here than scratch the very lightest of surfaces here when it comes to profiling this incredible group, instead I'll be focusing more on the song itself, which is, after all, the intended purpose of this post series.

If you could transform summer into an an opening melody, for me at least, the instantly recognizable orchestral prelude of California Girls would be it. Those notes hook you from the get-go and you know, you just know, that a hit is about to swirl like the gnarliest of waves through your eardrums and straight on through to your heart.

Penned by Brian Wilson and Mile Love, California Girls appeared on the Beach Boy's 1965 album, Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). In a move that might strike many who see the group as being rather on the wholesome, straight and narrow side of things (or at least view their earlier work as such), Wilson came up with the idea for this hit song while using LSD (acid) for the first time.



{Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson seen here, fittingly, enjoying a day at the beach in the 1960s. This carefree image belies the troubled times that were already starting to brew for the truly talented musician, who would go on to fight serious battles with addiction and mental illness.}


Despite its immense popularly - both in the moment and in the decades that would follow - California Girls didn't quite make it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 that year. It climbed to the third spot, which was (and is) still an impressive feat and a strong indicator of the staying power this catchy tune would go on to have.

It likely goes without saying, but California Girls utterly and completely speaks to the California sound, which itself is based on the so-called California Myth (a greatly idealized version of California's beach culture that was frequently portrayed in both music and movies - often themselves rich with such tunes - during the 1960s).

While surfing was hugely popular at the time, especially in the state of California (as it was before, and has remained long after, the sixties occurred), naturally those involved in the scene didn't always live the carefree, spontaneously burst out into a song lifestyle that beach songs and movies of the era would have you believe they did.



{Surf's up and the water is fine! Cheery, fun and often a far cry from reality, California sound was typified by smiling, tanned and toned youth in cute summer outfits who spent an inordinate amount of time at the beach. In many respects, it one last great "hurrah!" for the more - if only on paper - innocent youth culture that emerged as the baby boomers hit their teens in the 1950s and 60s. Looking back, it seems fairly quaint and innocuous, especially compared to the counterculture movement that was already taking hold as California sound reached its zenith.}

 


Just over two decades after he wrote it, Brian Wilson said, in 1986, of the song that, "[It] was something I'm very proud of in a sense because it represents the Beach Boys really greatest record production [that] we've ever made. It goes back to 1965 when I was sitting in my apartment, wondering how to write a song about girls, because I love girls. I mean, everybody loves girls."

While that last line may be debatable for some, the spirit rings true universally and moreover shines in this immensely catchy song. Though the focus is ultimately on ladies from California and the appeal that they held for Wilson, he praises women from across the nation and in doing so created an instant sense of intimacy with his audience from coast-to-coast.

Not only did “California Girls” find favour with fans at home in the US, but it was warmly received in numerous other countries around the world, where it reached various heights between the 2nd and 10th spot on leading music charts of those respective nations, which ranged from Canada to Australia, South Africa to Sweden.

A cultural icon in its own right, just like the group that preformed it, California Girls appears on no less than The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll", as well as earning a very commendable 71st place on Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

One interesting fact that has always stuck out in my mind about this song is that The Beatles (specifically Paul) used it as an inspiration jumping off point for their own hit, "Back in the U.S.S.R". More recently, it was a key influencer in Katy Perry's hit pop song, "California Gurls", which intentionally used a misspelling of the word "Girls". Though not one in the same, Perry's version does include the key chorus line, "I wish they all could be California Girls" as a later verse of that song.

Various artists and bands have covered California Girls over the years, with the most well known and popular version going to Van Halen star David Lee Roth. The song appeared on his 1985 album Crazy from the Heat and even included background vocals by actual Beach Boy member Carl Wilson, younger brother to Brian Wilson and lead guitarist for the band, of which he was one of the founders).

California Girls is a fabulous song. It might not be your absolute favourite Beach Boys hit, but it's pretty much impossible not to enjoy and to sense the spirit - real and idyllic alike - of the era that it hailed from.

In a matter of years, the music world would be a vastly different landscape from the one that gave rise to the Beach Boys and for those of us who have a particular penchant for the mid-twentieth century, it's far more akin to the feel good, easy going pop tunes of the 40s and 50s, than the experimental sounds of the psychedelic era and hard rocking seventies that would follow.



{Just as fun and memorable as summertime itself, California Girls was one of the Beach Boys biggest hits and remain an anthem for sixties surf culture - and carefree days spent at beaches far and wide - to this day.}



(To learn more about a specific image or video used in this post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.)



For those who were curious, some other top contenders that I debated focusing on here in this post included Surfer Girl, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Little Deuce Coupe, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Surfin' U.S.A., Barbara Ann, Good Vibrations, Surfin’ Safari, Don't Worry Baby, and Fun Fun Fun (amongst various  others).

Fortunately - and fabulously - though, much like Beach Boys hits themselves, summertime has a habit of repeating itself and you just never know what hit from this amazing group may appear here in future years.

The time has come to embrace the hottest months of the year again, and I for one am I'm thrilled by both the return of sizzling hot sunshine and the music that will accompany it. While the Beach Boys are by no means the only group that I keep in heavy rotation as the mercury soars ever higher, they are definitely "the one" for me on this front. After all, while I might not be a Californian Girl, I was born a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean here in BC, and surely must be nearly the same thing! :)


 
{The Beach Boys + summer = love forever! } 

So, my dears, as we head into the last and final weekend of spring, summer now so close we can all but smell its intoxicating aroma of Coppertone, delicious food on the grill, freshly cut grass, and warm sand, this lifelong fan wants to know, what Beach Boys song(s) personify the season for you?

44 comments:

  1. Yay for the Beach Boys! One of my all-time favourites, also, particularly in summer. I don't even know which song is my favourite, but I do love Don't Worry Baby and Darlin' especially. Darlin' has become a special song for B and I :) x

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    1. Such a huge yay! I couldn't imagine summer - or, really, the 1960s music scene - without them. Both wonderful song choices. I really like both of those titles, too.

      Big hugs & happy first week of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. I really love the Beach Boys and many of their songs, so this post resonates with me! I love California Girls, but the song that most describes me would be I Get Around...in the summer, on the days that are not humid, I absolutely love to take long walks in nature, so I get around a lot. Thanks so much for sharing, dear Jessica, and for bringing back some great memories for me!

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    1. You're sincerely welcome. That's a terrific Beach Boys song to pick as your very favourite from this iconic pop music group, Linda. As soon as I read your comment, I started humming its catchy beat. :)

      Many hugs & joyful Monday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. really interesting! Ive always loved that song.

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    1. Thank you, sweet Kate. It epitomizes summer, from a music perspective, for me.

      Have a beautiful first week of the new season!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  4. The Beach Boys are a key ingredient for a summer ideal: the sun that warms without burning, pastel colors, a gentle breeze in your hair, coconut aroma and their albums!

    baci

    Serena

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    1. Very well said, dear Serena, I completely and entirely agree with you. It would be genuinely hard for me to imagine the summer - be it now, or my memories of such from years past - without many of the Beach Boys songs to act as a soundtrack to the season.

      Have an awesome first week of summer!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  5. I'm a bit strapped for time, seeing I'm leaving on holiday early tomorrow morning, so I didn't have time to read your post from beginning to end. But I am a total fan of The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson! Many hugs, and see you early July. xxxx

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    1. How fabulously exciting, dear Ann. Thank you very much for commenting in the midst of such a busy time. I totally understand and look forward to hearing more about your travels after you return home.

      Wishing you a sunny, safe, fun filled trip!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  6. Dear Jessica, what a great post about the Beach Boys and California Girls. I was 10 years old when Good Vibrations was released and although rather young, I just knew it was amazing and so different to anything I had heard before. So for me that is my top of the list Beach Boys song, closely followed by California Girls. I was too young to know about their personal demons I simply loved the sound of their music. So for a large part of my life The Beach boys have brought sunshine and surfin' to highlight the Summertime and to bring memories of it during the Wintertime every year. It is hard to listen to it without tapping your feet and smiling - indeed getting up to dance too! Best wishes, Elizabeth xx

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    1. It really is and you, know, I think that has always been such a key ingredients of this band's lasting success and the impact they've had on the pop music scene. As well, at this point, their music unites multiple generations and is still just as enjoyable in the 2010s as it was back with it first hit the scene in the sixties.

      Thank you very much for sharing your lovely memories of those times with us, sweet Elizabeth. I genuinely often wish I could have live through the 60s and 70s for the music alone. Luckily my folks filled me 80s - 90s childhood with it, so while not quite the same thing, I was generously exposed to it still (and I'm very grateful for that).

      I hope that this summer is one of the best and most enjoyable for you ever!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. I'm long overdue to add some Beach Boys to my vinyl collection, though I have a cassette tape of their greatest hits which my father got me near the end of seventh grade (1993), around the time I properly got into classic rock and pop. I think my favourites are "In My Room" and "God Only Knows."

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    1. That's awesome! I was raised on classic rock, too, and am really thankful for that fact. I feel that such only helped to deepen my passion and appreciation for the past all the more. Great choices for your favourite Beach Boys tunes. As a very shy, private and introverted person, "In my Room" has always resonated strongly with me as well.

      Many hugs & joyful start of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. Hi Jessica, my name is Jessica also. I have been a reader of yours for quite a while now, but am not really much of a commenter. I thought I'd write a quick message, saying hello and that I really like you music posts. I am a big fan of old bands myself, but have not yet got around to listening to the Beach Boys yet, but I have a feeling that I will be now. :)

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    1. Hello my fellow Jessica, thank you very much for your wonderful comment. I genuinely find it to be such an honour when readers who have been with me for quite a while now opt to comment for the first time here. It's a pleasure to "meet" you and discover that we share a passion for classic rock/pop music in common. How wonderful!

      The Beach Boys put out a huge catalog of music and I really hope that you find many new favourites amongst their hits and lesser known/appreciated tunes as well.

      Thank you again & have a stellar start of summer!
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. I own nothing by The Beach Boys except for a track here and there but who doesn't enjoy their music, so summery! We have the Brian Wilson biopic lined up ready to watch xxx

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    1. Definitely! They are summer personified in music form, to my mind.

      Thankfully a lot of their tunes are on YouTube (and I'm sure music services like Spotify, too), so even if one doesn't own many (or any) albums, we can still enjoy their toe tapping songs whenever we please (#internetforthewin).

      I haven't seen that biopic yet, but have heard it's quite good. Hope you guys really enjoy it.

      Many hugs & happy first week of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I did think of Kate Perry and California Gurls while I was reading about California girls and the Beach Boys! And then it was on the post! I didn't now that Brian Wilson had to battle mental illness, it's sad. LSD seems to have been the inspiration behind many songs in the 60s. California Girls is really amazing and I think it summarizes the spirit of summer, and yes, it starts next week :) Actually, when it starts to be warm where I live (part of the year), I jump to another place where winter approaches. That's why you will most likely see coats galore most of the year on my blog. The sun really harms my skin and I prefer doing so to protect myself :) But I love The Beach Boys and I do loooove the sea! Hope you have a lovely weekend, dear Jessica!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Hi sweet Denise, thank you very much for your lovely comment and for sharing about some of the struggles that the warmer months bring your way. I'm sincerely sorry that you have to contend with being so negatively impacted by the sun/warm weather. Being very fair skinned, I burn faster than a piece of toast, but I still love the heat and will (with sunscreen, love sleeves, hats, umbrellas, etc) still indulge in it when I can. I'm sure that it impacts you more deeply, it must be very unpleasant and a real challenge to avoid from May/June to September.

      Wishing you a cool, shady summer and the hope that fall reaches your corner of the world quickly.

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  11. I remember listening to the Beach Boys when I was little. They are certainly very catchy, and every so often I hear one or two of them.

    Sarah
    www.sewcharacteristicallyyou.com/blog

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    1. True, if one doesn't intentionally listen to a lot of classic pop/rock stations, I wouldn't say that their songs are quite as commonplace these days - though I suspect they're still hugely adored the world over. I love that so many can be heard online, on sites like YouTube, as it makes listening to them whenever the mood strikes worlds easier.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment, dear Sarah. Have a fantastic frist week of summer!

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. fabulous and very interesting post!
    i love the beach boys and i cant say that there is a specific song for me :-) but california girls is one of my favs!
    i had a look inside surfer culture while i was in byron bay/australia - i even learned to surf the waves with a boogie board and with only my own body - big thing for a mountain goat like me ;-) the friendly and open surfers were good company for a few summer weeks at the beach.....
    speaking of - wish you and tony a wonderful summertime!!! xxxxx

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    1. Oh wow, what a fantastic experience! I genuinely always wanted to learn how to surf (and scuba dive), but alas, unfortuantely, such is beyond the abilities of my health in recent years (well, since I was eighteen, to be exact), so that is unlikely to happen. It's okay though, I can still enjoy the fun of yesteryear surf culture and trips to the beach these days all the same. I bet it was amazing surfing in Australia! I've never been there myself, but would truly love to make it "down under" at some point in my life.

      Many hugs, thanks for your great comment, the happiest of summertime wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Hello dearest Jessica,

    I never listened to the Beach Boys growing up; I did not grow up listening to the radio. But, I have heard the Beach Boys over the years, (who hasn't?) and I would have to say that my favorite of their songs that come to mind is Surfin' Safari - oh yeah!

    I have lived in California for almost 34 years and I only bet to the ocean about once a year, occasionally twice a year. The funny thing is that many people think that ALL Californians surf :)

    May you have many happy summer days!

    Love and hugs, darling girl,
    ♥Hope

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    1. Hi sweet Hope, thank you for your lovely comment. Surfin Safari is such a great song! I've always found it's one that little kids really like, so associate it with many a warm weather birthday party over the years (mine and my siblings' included). Like many of their hits, it epitomizes good time toe tapping music.

      That's an interesting assumption to encounter. I've never felt that way myself, knowing how vast and diverse California is, but much like the notion that all Canadians play hockey, I can easily see how it came to be.

      I hope you guys are able to make it to beach a time or two this year. I adore the beautiful lakes we're blessed with around these parts, but sometimes, there's just no comparison for the actual ocean.

      Tons of hugs & joyful start of summer wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Ahh the Beach Boys are a definite part of the music of my life, from childhood through to now. And one of the bands on my playlists that my husband likes too! Which puts them in the minority :) It is so hard to pick favourites, but the three of us love to move to "Do You Wanna Dance?"!

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    1. Great choice! That is such a fun song - I, fittingly, remember dancing around to it often when I was knee high to a surfboard. :D It's really sweet that you guys are sharing vintage music with your daughter at such a young age. Way to go!

      Big hugs & happy wishes for the winter months,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. One of my favorites by them is Wouldn't It Be Nice. <3

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    1. Terrific selection, sweet gal. I really like that classic tune as well. It's a good song to use, IMO, as a buffer between more (even) more fast paced Beach Boys and/or other classic pop/rock songs, if you're making a summer mix tape.

      Big hugs & joyful start of the new season wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Oddly enough hearing the Beach Boys reminds me of Christmas because my Dad loved their Christmas album and played it practically nonstop all winter!

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    1. I get that big time! There are certain groups/artists that I strongly associate with Christmas, too, even if that isn't what they're most famous for (Bing Crosby is one, for example). How fun that your dad made their toe tapping tunes a central part of your holiday season festivities. Have you carried on the tradition now that you're older?

      Oodles of hugs & happy start of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. Whenever I hear a Beach Boys' song, it immediately takes me back to summer. The history behind this song is fascinating!

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    1. Isn't it though! I learned a fair bit (about it) myself in putting this post together and am happy to know you picked up some new Beach Boys knowledge as well. They're such an awesome, influential group and I'm really happy that this new reoccurring post series gave me a chance to shine the spotlight on them for the first time.

      Have a stellar start of summer!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  18. Jessica! Thanks so much for the Beach Boys article! This group's music was a huge part of the soundtrack of my youth, being a woman who was born in and lived most of her life in SoCal. When we were kids, my mom actually drove us to the beach in an old Woody, and as soon as she parked, we ran as fast as we could for the waves. My favorite BB song would be "Sail on Sailor," followed by "Warmth of the Sun" - the melody of which came to Brian Wilson at the time of JFK's assassination. Honorable mentions"Caroline, No," and "We've Been Having Fun All Summer Long," which was featured in "American Graffiti." Also, "Break Away," with youngest brother, Carl, singing lead vocals,and "God Only Knows," which was Paul McCartney's all time favorite. Interestingly, Dennis Wilson was the only Beach Boy who seriously surfed. Thanks again for the timely and nostalgic article!

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    1. You're sincerely welcome. Thank you very much for your great comment and for relating the Beach Boys back to the incredible cultural landscape that they were creating their smash hits alongside. I really appreciate it and loved about hearing some of your memories of your personal BB favourites and memories.

      Have a beautiful summer!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  19. My husband reckons you know it's summer when the Beach Boys start being played on the radio. 'Fun Fun Fun' and 'Heroes and Villains' are probably my favourites, but they did so many good songs.

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    1. Didn't they though! I think that has really been one of the key elements of their more than half a century of popularity and success. The fact that many of their tunes are just so catchy and fun, too, don't hurt a lick either.

      Have a fantastic first week of summer!
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. Such a great song and so summery! I listened to my parent's Beach Boys records lots and lots when I was a teenager. I loved singing along to all the harmonies!

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    1. They so excelled at harmonizing, I really agree. Few groups, before, during (the sixties), or after have matched them on that front, to my mind. Such fun memories! I used to do the same thing as a youngster and still love belting the words in a Beach Boys song comes on. :)

      Here's to a sunny, fun filled summer ahead, my dear friend!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  21. Wonderful post to stumble on today, as it's Brian's birthday! The whole Pet Sounds album (strangely, along with the pop-punk of the day) helped push me through my melodramatic high school days, and still resonates with me today, but I think "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" is my favorite. The music that came out of his brain was so beautiful and far ahead of its time.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet lady. That's awesome! I wasn't aware that my post was falling so closely to Brian's birthday. What a fun little spot of happenstance.

      It truly was and I'm grateful that multiple generations now have been able to enjoy and benefit from his creative genius.

      Big hugs & joyful start of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. While they're not necessarily a life-changing band for me, the Beach Boys are great! I think a lot of people know the hits just through popular culture but outside of just the carefree pop songs (which are wonderful in their own right) they were really talented musicians and helped define the music of the time and would have influenced countless musicians who came after them.

    Jessica - littlehenrylee.net

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    1. Excellently said, my dear. I completely agree and think that the Beach Boys were no less influential on the 60s music scene - and many artists who would follow (including plenty in the 80s) than the more hard hitting rock and/or folk artists/bands.

      Thank you very much for both of your great comments this weekend. It's always a joy to hear from you.

      Have a beautiful tail end of June!
      ♥ Jessica

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