The Beach Boys – 25 Essential Tracks
April 30, 2012
I’ve been listening to the Beach Boys longer than any other band. Their greatest hits compilation was one of the first CDs I ever owned and I had the whole album memorized backwards-and-forwards. So it’s no exaggeration to say the California surf-rockers are near and dear to my heart. The band are having a huge resurgence this year celebrating their 50th anniversary, releasing a new album and embarking on a nationwide tour (their first with Brian Wilson in over 20 years). I’ll be seeing them for the first time at Bonnaroo and I couldn’t be more excited.
Below I’ve listed my 25 favorite tracks from America’s greatest band (debatably). As you’ll probably notice, I heavily favor their Pet Sounds / Smile-era, but I have my favorites from their earlier, surfier days and there more avant-garde, 70′s work as well. You can listen to the whole list on this Spotify Playlist (if you’ve dismissed Beach Boys because of “Kokomo” or their Full House appearance, I’d suggest you start here). As always, feel free to share your favorites or angrily disagree with my choices in the comments.
The Beach Boys – 25 Essential Tracks
Found on: Spirit of America
Found on: Surfer Girl
Found on: Today!
Found on: Pet Sounds
Found on: Wild Honey
Found on: Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Found on: Surfer Girl
Found on: Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Found on: All Summer Long
Found on: Pet Sounds
Found on: Surf’s Up
Found on: Today!
Found on: Sunflower
Found on: The Smile Sessions
Found on: Today!
Found on: Pet Sounds
Found on: Surf’s Up
Found on: All Summer Long
Found on: Pet Sounds
MP3 I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
Found on: All Summer Long
Found on: The Smile Sessions
Found on: Pet Sounds
Found on: The Smile Sessions
Found on: Surf’s Up
Found on: Pet Sounds
Spotify Playlist: Beach Boys – 25 Essential Tracks
Tags: Beach Boys, Essential Tracks
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April 30th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Nicely done! You hit most of my favorites, though I’d include “(Don’t Talk) Put Your Head On My Shoulder” and “The Warmth of the Sun” as well.
May 5th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Nice! But you stopped too short on the “avant garde” side of things. How about some tracks from Carl & The Passions, Friends and 20/20? At least your appreciation does not stop short of SMiLE, and includes the great Break Away!
May 7th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I forgot about 20/20. Lots of solid tracks on that album. “I Can Hear Music” is a favorite of mine. Not as familiar with Friends (besides the title track), so I’ll have to listen to that next!