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Home , All This Is That, Barbara Ann, Be True to Your School, Dennis Wilson, Fifty Big Ones, Gary Usher

the beach boys greatest hits download The 10 greatest Beach Boys ever, ranked. If you need some happy music that's perfect for the sunshine, then are the guys you've been looking for. The Beach Boys were one of the most successful and iconic groups of the , and have had a legacy of music that will live on forever. Led by the genius of , the group started life as a surf rock and soon created some of the world's most influential including the seminal . From their surf anthems to their orchestral pop classics, here are some of their very best songs. 'Surf's Up' The title of this is an ironic nod to the group's earlier associations with , and nothing in the song is actually about surfing. The song is about a man who experiences a spiritual awakening, resigns himself to God, and predicts hope for those who can capture the innocence of youth. Originally intended for the Smile album, it was later included on their 1971 album of the same name. 'I Just Wasn't Made for These Times' A Pet Sounds classic, this song is about Brian Wilson's insecurities and perceived shortcomings at the time. Wilson later said: "It's about a guy who was crying out because he thought he was too advanced, and that he'd eventually have to leave people behind. All my friends thought I was crazy to do Pet Sounds ." '' This song was written as a three-minute musical comedy, and was the follow-up single to ''. It was intended as the main track on the unfinished album Smile . After the album was axed, the song was rearranged and released in 1967. Brian's then-wife Marilyn Wilson later said: "There are so many screwed-up people in the music industry. The good guys and the bad guys. That's one thing Brian had in mind when they did 'Heroes and Villains'." 'Surfin' USA' One of the defining songs of the short-lived surf rock era. It was a rewritten version of Berry's '' set to new lyrics, written by Brian Wilson and an uncredited . Wilson later said: "I was going with a girl called Judy Bowles, and her Jimmy was a surfer. He knew all the surfing spots. I started humming the melody to 'Sweet Little Sixteen' and I got fascinated with the fact of doing it, and I thought to myself, 'God! What about trying to put surf lyrics to 'Sweet Little Sixteen's melody?'". 'Do It Again' This track was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love as a self-conscious back to the group's earlier surf image, which they had not used since 1964. It was a number one hit in the UK in 1968, with Love saying the success in Britain "was unbelievable. It showed how many fans we had there and how attractive the whole lifestyle is." '' This laid back and melancholic ballad was taken from their 1963 album . (who co-wrote the lyrics with Brian Wilson) later described that "Brian was always saying that his room was his whole world." Brian added: "I had a room, and I thought of it as my kingdom. And I wrote that song, very definitely, that you're not afraid when you're in your room. It's absolutely true." 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' Taken from Pet Sounds , this song describes a couple in love lamenting about being too young to run off to get married, and thinking about how great it would be if they were adults. Brian Wilson composed the music, while the lyrics were written mostly by . Mike Love's contribution was the ending line "Good night my baby / sleep tight my baby". '' This classic was The Beach Boys' first US number one single in 1964. The song was originally credited to just Brian Wilson, until a 1994 lawsuit by Mike Love amended the song's copyright to include him as a co- writer, as he claimed he came up with the famous "Round round get around" lyric. 'Good Vibrations' Written by Brian Wilson with lyrics by Mike Love, this iconic song is known for its subversion of the formula of the time, and was the most expensive single ever recorded by 1966. Produced by Wilson, it was recorded during Pet Sounds , but not originally released as a standalone single. Its title came from Wilson's fascination with cosmic vibrations, as his mother would tell him as a child that dogs may bark at people in response to their "bad vibrations". Lead vocals on the song were shared between Brian, his brother Carl and their cousin Love. '' One of the greatest love songs of all time, this Pet Sounds track names God in its title and lyrics, which was unusual for a pop single at the time. The title was apparently not specific to any God, and could be addressed to any higher force, creating a song about moving forward after loss. Sung by Brian Wilson's younger brother Carl, the track was produced and arranged by Brian using an intriguing selection of instruments, including , , sleigh , , and a quartet of and . Top 20 Beach Boys Songs. "Surfin'" originated when the Beach Boys were trying to decide on something original to be the subject of a song. suggested they write a song about the growth of surfing in popularity. "Surfin'" was released as the group's first single on label Candix Records. The song became a regional hit in and peaked at #75 on the US pop chart. 1962 - "Surfin' Safari" The Beach Boys first recorded "Surfin' Safari" in their second ever recording session. However, the official version of the song was not recorded until two months later in April 1962. It was included on a demo presented to that earned the group their first major label contract. "Surfin' Safari" was the breakthrough single for the Beach Boys. It was their first top 40 pop hit and peaked at #14. 1963 - "Surfin' USA" Brian Wilson wrote the lyrics to "Surfin' USA" and set them to the melody of "Sweet Little Sixteen" by . It celebrates the southern California . Peaking at #3 on the US pop singles chart, "Surfin' USA" was also the title song for the group's first top 10 charting album. It peaked at #2 and spent more than a year on the album chart. The cover photo on the album was actually taken in Hawaii and not California. 1963 - "Surfer Girl" "Surfer Girl" is the first Beach Boys song written solely by Brian Wilson. The words are inspired by his first serious girlfriend Judy Bowles. They dated for three and a half years. He was influenced by the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" by . "Surfer Girl" peaked at #7 on the US pop chart, the second top 10 pop hit by the group. 1963 - "" The Beach Boys' salute to school pride is built around the melody of "On, Wisconsin!," the University of Wisconsin's fight song. One recorded version of "Be True To Your School" included cheerleader yells by the girl group . The group included Marilyn Rovell who married the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and became the mother of Carnie and Wendy Wison of . The Honeys also sang back up for surf pop duo . "Be True To Your School" reached #6 on the US pop chart. 1963 - "In My Room" Many observers see "In My Room" as a first glimpse into the serious side of Brian Wilson's creative work. Brian Wilson has stated that the celebration of a bedroom as a place of escape had particular poignance because he sang it together with his Carl and Dennis Wilson about the room they shared together as kids. "In My Room" was released as the B-Side to "Be True To Your School" and peaked at #23 on the US pop chart. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 1964 - "I Get Around" "I Get Around" became the Beach Boys' first #1 charting single. During the recording of the song, after multiple altercations, Brian Wilson's father Murry was removed from his position as the Beach Boys' manager. "I Get Around" has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was the fifth biggest hit of 1964 in the US. 1964 - "Don't Worry Baby" One of the most notable elements of "Don't Worry Baby" is Brian Wilson's lead vocal. The song was credited with beginning to inspire a darker side to the California surf culture as it explores the angst surrounding a reluctant agreement to take part in a car race. Brian Wilson said "Don't Worry Baby" was his effort to capture the essence of "" by , his favorite song. The song was released as the B- side to "I Get Around" and peaked at #24 on the US pop chart. 1964 - "Dance, Dance, Dance" Beach Boys member is credited with co-writing "Dance, Dance, Dance." It was his first writing credit on a Beach Boys single. He contributed the song's guitar solo and riff. Released at the peak of the , "Dance, Dance, Dance" only climbed to #8 on the US pop chart. 1964 - "Fun, Fun, Fun" "Fun, Fun, Fun" relates a story about a teenage girl who tricks her dad into letting her dive his Ford Thunderbird. He finds out and takes the keys away, but the narrator of the song intervenes with his own car. The song was based on real-life experiences of group member Dennis Wilson. The guitar introduction of the song was influenced by Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." "Fun, Fun, Fun" climbed to #5 on the US pop singles chart. 1965 - "Help Me, Rhonda" "Help Me, Rhonda" was originally planned as simply an album cut, but radio stations began to play it. Subsequently, Brian Wilson reworked the recording to be a radio single. The song went all the way to #1 on the US pop singles chart becoming the second #1 hit by the group. According to Brian Wilson, "Rhonda" is not based on a real person. 1965 - "" Reportedly, Brian Wilson conceived "California Girls" during his first LSD trip. He says that he was influenced both by music from cowboy movies and Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." The song opens with an orchestral prelude. "California Girls" peaked at #3 on the US pop music chart. David Lee Roth took a cover of the song to #3 on the pop chart in 1985. 1965 - "" Written by Fred Fassert, "Barbara Ann" was first recorded by the doo-wop vocal group The Regents in 1961. It reached #13 on the US pop chart. The Beach Boys version of the song includes uncredited backing vocals by Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean. "Barbara Ann" peaked at #2 on the US pop chart. 1966 - "" "Sloop John B" is a traditional folk song originating in the Bahamas. It was first brought to the US in Carl Sandburg's 1927 folk song collection The American Songbag . recorded the song in 1958 and the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson created the best-known of "Sloop John B" for the Pet Sounds album. The song was released as a single and peaked at #3 on the US pop chart. 1966 - "Wouldn't It Be Nice" "Wouldn't It Be Nice" kicks off the legendary Pet Sounds album. The lyrics speak of being too young to get married but dreaming of the day it can take place. When released as a single, "Wouldn't It Be Nice" peaked at #8 on the US pop singles chart. The Pet Sounds album initially earned relatively lackluster sales peaking at only #10 and critics were not impressed. However, over time it has become acclaimed as one of the best and most influential pop albums of all time. listed Pet Sounds as the #2 best album of all time. 1966 - "God Only Knows" The song "God Only Knows" is unusual for its era in using the word "God" in the title, but it is not an overtly religious song. It is notable for using a range of unusual instruments in the mix including French Horn, accordions, and harpsichord. Brian Wilson said he wrote "God Only Knows" for the album Pet Sounds in an effort to match ' achievements on . Paul McCartney has called the song his favorite of all time. Many publications have mentioned it as one of the greatest pop songs of the 1960s. Brian Wilson was acclaimed for using influences from in his for the song. "God Only Knows" was released as the B-side to the "Wouldn't It Be Nice" single and reached #39 on the US pop chart. 1966 - "Good Vibrations" "Good Vibrations" is perhaps the most ambitious single song in the Beach Boys' catalog. It is a landmark in pop music. At the time of its initial release, it was the most expensive pop single ever recorded. The song's title was inspired by group leader Brian Wilson's interest in cosmic vibrations. Mike Love's lyrics were influenced by the growing Flower Power movement in California. Brian Wilson was credited with stretching the possibilities of what could be created in a and using exotic instruments like the and jaw harp. "Good Vibrations" was begun during the sessions for the Pet Sounds album, but it was released as a standalone single. It reached #1 on the US pop chart becoming the group's third chart-topping hit and their first to sell more than a million copies. It earned four Grammy Award nominations and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. : Greatest Hits. In many ways, the Beach Boys have been the most American band in the history of rock & roll, merging cars, surfboards, endless summer days and nights, Chuck Berry riffs, Four Freshmen , and a vision of California as a kind of never-aging paradise into one of the most recognizable sounds in pop music. Their back catalog has never really been given a real shine-up, though, so it's a pleasure to see that Capitol Records is finally doing that in 2012 to honor the 50th anniversary of the band's formation. This two-disc, 50-track set compiles most of the band's hits and important album tracks, and also features many selections from the band's later years, a period many Beach Boys compilations often bypass, all of which makes this the best compilation of this important band currently available. One can quibble about things that aren't here, like Brian Wilson's last truly great studio production, "Breakaway," for instance, or things that are here, like the 2012 reunion single "That's Why God Made the Radio," but it's hard to argue with the breadth of this set. The sequencing seems a bit random (is it really wise to follow "California Girls" with its near cousin "Do It Again"), but having lesser-known tracks here like "Wendy," "All Summer Long," "You're So Good to Me," "," "," and "Friends" pretty much sells the deal. Short of getting all of the band's albums, or the box set Good Vibrations, this set presents more of the fascinating Beach Boys recording story than anything else out there. 50 Big Ones: Greatest Hits. Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs. Buy the album Starting at $25.49. In many ways, the Beach Boys have been the most American band in the history of rock & roll, merging cars, surfboards, endless summer days and nights, Chuck Berry riffs, Four Freshmen harmonies, and a vision of California as a kind of never-aging paradise into one of the most recognizable sounds in pop music. Their back catalog has never really been given a real shine-up, though, so it's a pleasure to see that Capitol Records is finally doing that in 2012 to honor the 50th anniversary of the band's formation. This two-disc, 50-track set compiles most of the band's hits and important album tracks, and also features many selections from the band's later years, a period many Beach Boys compilations often bypass, all of which makes this the best compilation of this important band currently available. One can quibble about things that aren't here, like Brian Wilson's last truly great studio production, "Breakaway," for instance, or things that are here, like the 2012 reunion single "That's Why God Made the Radio," but it's hard to argue with the breadth of this set. The sequencing seems a bit random (is it really wise to follow "California Girls" with its near cousin "Do It Again"), but having lesser-known tracks here like "Wendy," "All Summer Long," "You're So Good to Me," "This Whole World," "All This Is That," and "Friends" pretty much sells the deal. Short of getting all of the band's albums, or the box set Good Vibrations, this set presents more of the fascinating Beach Boys recording story than anything else out there. © Steve Leggett /TiVo. Readers’ Poll: The Best Beach Boys Songs of All Time. The Beach Boys are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a major reunion tour in support of That's Why God Made the Radio , their 29th album and first of new material since 1992. The band has built up a staggering body of work over the past five decades, ranging from brilliant bubblegum singles about girls, cars and surfing to their melancholy masterwork, Pet Sounds . We asked you to name your favorite Beach Boys songs and compiled this list of your top 10 picks.