Car Songs of the Beach Boys by Adam Icenogle

Rock and roll has always been a part of car culture. Car guys love their music. And occasionally, musicians love their cars. Such was the case for a tight knot of kids growing up in Hawthorne, California.

In 1961, three brothers, Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine became pop music pioneers. Brian, the musical mentor of the group, achieved a highly original sound by putting rich three-part harmonies against the lead vocals.

The Beach Boys’ first wave of success broke after recording "Surfin’." The local hit resulted in a contract with Capitol Records, where the group would ultimately rack up more than thirty top 40 hits. Brian did it again with "Surfin’ U.S.A.," when he penned new lyrics and rearranged Chuck Berry’s monster hit, "Sweet Little Sixteen."The group represented California’s young surf culture, and reflected that lifestyle by singing about surfing, girls, and hot rods. Dennis was the only real surfer in the bunch, but singing about girls came naturally, and with their new success, they could each afford to drive anything they wanted.

The suits at Capitol approved of "car-tunes." They believed songs like "409" & "Shut Down" had a potentially wider appeal, as drivers far outnumbered surfers. "Little Deuce Coupe" was a sensation, despite somewhat technical lyrics which must have confused uninitiated listeners. On "I Get Around," the lyrical focus shifted more toward the social aspects of cruising.

"Ballad of Ole’ Betsy" is a bittersweet tale of the relationship between a man and his aging 1932 Ford.

When Craig Breedlove broke 407mph in his jet-powered car at Bonneville, the boys saluted his achievement with "Spirit of America." "A Young Man Is Gone" paid homage to the racing rebel, James Dean.

Their personal lives would never live up to their squeaky-clean image. The band had more than its share of difficulties. Brian and Dennis struggled with serious substance abuse problems, which may have contributed to Dennis drowning in 1983. And in 1998, Carl Wilson lost his battle with Cancer.

Even so, America embraced the Beach Boys and their music. We wanted to be part of the image they projected. Harmonious tunes like "Good Vibrations" invited us to relax and come to California, where the sun was warm, life was good, and everything was fun, fun, fun.

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