American rock music band The Beach Boys wouldn’t be the same without the effort and achievements as they were important in their rock genre transition and evolution. You can find the best The Beach Boys songs of all time in this list.
In the early 60s, along with the achievements and influence of the British Invasion movement led by The Beatles, The Beach Boys were one of the first famous American rock bands. The band wrote many hit songs, some featured here as the best The Beach Boys songs in no particular order.
They started as a small band in singer Brian Wilson‘s garage and sold over 100 million album copies worldwide, thus being one of the all-time greats. Their combination of old-school rock with parts of pop and even psychedelia has also made them quite influential.
The band has a very long catalog of albums, so there are a lot of choices to pick from when it comes to the best The Beach Boys songs. However, that is the beauty of this band: their discography allows for every period of their history to feel like a journey.
The Best Beach Boys Songs of All Time
The Beach Boys have been around since 1961, and they have a lot of music to choose from. They have done it all: Rock, pop, psychedelia, and even surf music. So, when it comes to picking the best Beach Boys songs, it depends significantly on each fan’s music tastes and which version of the band they prefer.
Which are the best The Beach Boys songs of all time?
- Good Vibrations
- California Girls
- Surf’s Up
- God Only Knows
- Barbara Ann
- ‘Til I Die
- Sloop John B.
- Don’t Worry Baby
- Wouldn’t It Be Nice
- Please Let Me Wonder
- Heroes and Villains
- Caroline No
- Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulders)
- I Get Around
- Do It Again
- I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
- All Summer Long
- I Can Hear Music
- In My Room
- She Knows Me Too Well
1. Good Vibrations (1966)
The Beach Boys had a lot of trouble with the “Smile” album, mainly because the band struggled with Brian Wilson’s perfectionism, but “Good Vibrations” was worth the hassle. Some people regard it as one of the most essential songs post-World War II and challenged The Beatles’ place as the top band when they released “Revolver.”
Among the best Beach Boys songs, this one is considered their greatest hit, so it’s no surprise that is on this list. It features a wide array of instruments, and its happy and pristine feel gives it a unique aura compared to the rest of 60s music, giving it a special place in the band’s catalog.
2. California Girls (1965)
If there was any doubt that this band was from California, this song indeed settles that. “California Girls” was one of the group’s greatest hits, coming out in 1965 during the band’s commercial peak, and cemented their formula of clean, uplifting, and fun pop music.
The best part of the song is Brian Wilson’s guitar introduction. It gives the song a unique and delicate feel that stays with the listener during the whole song, with those vocal harmonies also being the stuff of legends.
3. Surf’s Up (1971)
The fact that “Surf’s Up” was an unfinished song from the “Smile” album sessions back in 1966 and became one of the band’s biggest hits in 1971 is a testament to their abilities. It’s also Brian Wilson’s musical genius to its absolute peak, arguably reaching a level of quality he never did before or after.
One of the biggest elements of the song is how unconventional it is in terms of structure and how Wilson’s vocals are almost angelic-like in spots. This song was written in the mid-60s but was released in the early 70s, almost symbolizing the change in the musical landscape for greater, more ambitious songwriting.
4. God Only Knows (1966)
“God Only Knows” has always been one of the best Beach Boys songs but has gained much more attention recently. Perhaps it’s the song’s structure or its message. But its quality has never been in doubt.
The combination of grooves with vocal harmonies shows the band’s collective strength. They were always more than the Brian Wilson show, and this song proves that.
5. Barbara Ann (1965)
This song was written by the Regents in 1961, but the Beach Boys made it their own in 1965. Regarding the best Beach Boys songs, this one is considered among their most popular.
It’s a very catchy and straightforward song, showing the band’s more lighthearted approach to music. It lasts a little more than two minutes so it is straightforward to digest, and the groove is very catchy.
Fun fact for metalheads: the German heavy metal band Blind Guardian covered this song in their 1993 live album, “Tokyo Tales.”
6. ‘Til I Die (1971)
The Beach Boys are always associated with happy-go-lucky melodies and a feel-good factor. But this song shows them at their most hopeless. Brian Wilson wrote this song during one of the darkest periods of his life and it shows with its sorrowful and harrowing melodies.
It is one of the best The Beach Boys songs and one of the most potent lyrics in their careers. This one is a solid but rewarding musical departure for a band that made a career out of more optimistic tunes.
7. Sloop John B. (1966)
This song is an adaptation of a folk song from the Bahamas and shows the Beach Boys at their most psychedelic. After all, it was the 60s, and some of that influence rubbed on these California boys, adding more variety to their music.
The song is delightful and has a trippy feel, a product of its time. The instrumentation is minimalistic and detailed, with the production in recent editions making every instrument shine easily.
8. Don’t Worry Baby (1964)
It’s hard to list the best The Beach Boys songs without mentioning “Don’t Worry Baby.” It’s part of the band’s musical heritage and one of their greatest hits.
This is Brian Wilson’s musicianship to his best and the Beach Boys offering one of their best performances. The arrangements, mixed with the vocal harmonies, are superb and show how far ahead they were in 1964.
While it is true that The Beatles changed music forever in the early 60s and the British Invasion defined Rock music, songs like this proved America’s input, too. The Beach Boys did this song and showed that the American musical movement also had something to say in this decade.
9. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (1966)
“Pet Sounds” was a groundbreaking release for The Beach Boys and the opening song, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, particularly so. This is the band at their most optimistic and uplifting as a group, making a significant impact on the scene at the time.
Another thing worth mentioning is the song has many rhythm changes, with the first starting in the sixth second of the tune. Brian Wilson was at his most creative in the mid-60s, and this song proves that notion.
10. Please Let Me Wonder (1965)
“Beach Boys Today!” shows a wide variety of ballads and while some are hit and miss, “Please Let Me Wonder” is the best of the lot. This is because of the amazing vocal harmonies and relaxed tone, which could serve as a test run for “Pet Sounds.”
All the best The Beach Boys songs have these amazing vocal melodies and some of the finest can be found on this track. It has an almost sorrowful feel to it while retaining, ironically enough, the band’s most uplifting nature.
11. Heroes and Villains (1967)
It’s no secret that 1967 was challenging for the Beach Boys. Not commercially, though; the band was still selling well, but tension was building up with Wilson’s way of writing and recording music.
Be that as it may, it’s a testament to their professionalism and quality at the time that a song like “Heroes and Villains” came out. The combination of whistles, horns, tack piano, and many more, along with the band’s usual musical approach, make it a very addictive and enjoyable tune.
12. Caroline, No (1966)
The entire “Pet Sounds” could be part of this list but very few deserve their place as much as “Caroline, No”. It has atmosphere, vocal melodies, and detailed and ambitious instrumentation… pretty much a classic by the band from the get-go.
The Beach Boys are known for having great melodies; this song is a testament to that. It’s slow, it has a nice crescendo, and puts the band at the forefront of the 60s American Rock movement—an all-time classic.
13. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulders) (1966)
A bit of an underrated gem and yet one of the most beautiful songs this band has crafted. The melodies are strong, the pace is slow but charming, and the lyrics about love are touching and heartfelt.
Among the best Beach Boys songs, this one could go under the radar but captures the band at their most romantic and atmospheric. It is a slow burner with a lot of charm and panache.
14. I Get Around (1964)
As mentioned earlier, the British Invasion took over the music in the early 60s, and then The Beach Boys pulled up with “I Get Around.” It’s not crazy to suggest that this song made the band’s career and, being a #1 hit, changed American music for the better part of the decade.
“I Get Around” is Surf Rock’s finest, showing the band their happiest and most upbeat. It influences The Beatles but mixed with that classic American straightforward approach to things, making it an all-time favorite in 60s music.
15. Do It Again (1969)
By the time the late 60s arrived, The Beach Boys were a different entity. They were one of the biggest bands in the world, and Brian Wilson was experimenting with many different sounds. This is why “Do It Again” stands out as one of the best The Beach Boys songs: a callback to their early days.
The song is pleased and uplifting, remembering those days on the beach of California that inspired the band’s name. Now a much more experienced group, this song feels like an attempt to capture the magic of the old days and succeeds.
16. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (1966)
Tony Asher co-wrote this song, which was created at a unique time for Brian and the band. Wilson had decided during those days that the Beach Boys would no longer tour; perhaps this song had a certain melancholy.
The instrumentation is sophisticated yet easy to digest, and Brian sings exceptionally well, adding a somewhat somber nature to his voice that isn’t very common. It’s beautiful, it’s sad, and is the Beach Boys at their finest.
17. All Summer Long (1964)
“All Summer Long” is one of the best Beach Boys songs and one of their most underrated. It perfectly captures their early days and why they were so successful as an American answer to the British Invasion.
The song is fairly straightforward and captures the mixture of Rock and Pop that made them so unique. Great melodies? There. Catchy rhythms? There. A simple yet effective structure? Also there. Bonafide early Beach Boys.
18. I Can Hear Music (1969)
“20/20” is often regarded as a disjointed Beach Boys album and it is hard to disagree. The guys in the band weren’t getting along in 1969; the music was a testament to that. However, this cover song, “I Can Hear Music,” was the saving grace of a subpar album.
Brian Wilson wasn’t there for this album, and it shows, but this is one of the few times the band works without him. Carl Wilson sings exceptionally well, and the group shows a degree of excitement that isn’t shown very often after “Pet Sounds” in 1966.
19. In My Room (1963)
It’s hard to think that a song of this caliber was a B-side back in 1963, but that was a consequence of its time. Be that as it may, “In My Room” is probably the first time the band goes in a more melancholy direction and works like a charm.
20. She Knows Me Too Well (1965)
“She Knows Me Too Well” could be considered one of Brian Wilson’s best achievements as a singer. His singing sells this song and shows his talent in this department.
It is a classic The Beach Boys tale about love and relationships but done enjoyably. The guitar parts in the middle are a great detail that adds more musicianship to the experience. It’s one of the best Beach Boys songs and the most underrated.
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