Best Beach Boys Songs

The Top Ten
Good Vibrations

I read a comment that said this was the Beach Boys' version of Bohemian Rhapsody. But really, Bohemian Rhapsody was the Queen version of Good Vibrations.

Brian wanted to give the world good vibes, and he succeeded beautifully with this masterpiece. It's one of the best songs ever written.

This song has much more structure and interesting sounds than God Only Knows. I feel it needs to be number one.

God Only Knows

I have warm memories of listening to this great song as a child and thinking it was the greatest thing I had ever heard. Now it's a song I would play in the car during a date.

It always comes down to Good Vibrations or God Only Knows. I'll go with God Only Knows. If Good Vibrations had been included on Pet Sounds, it would probably be the best pop album ever.

Though Good Vibrations is probably the most famous song from the Beach Boys, God Only Knows is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Wouldn't It Be Nice

Those opening chimes at the beginning create a wistful bit of melancholy as you listen to the song. It's the perfect song for a day in late August, as summer is ending and you're watching a beautiful girl walk along the beach with a bit of autumn chill creeping in.

Wouldn't It Be Nice is easily the obvious choice here. Good Vibrations is a good song (no pun intended), but it's the cliché choice for number one.

Top three are:

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice
2. I Get Around
3. Kokomo

I'd love to wake up to this song every morning. It's just so amazing. It most definitely deserves the number one spot.

I Get Around

I love this one. It always makes me happy and gives me a great feeling. It makes me think of all the times I watched "Look Who's Talking" with my mom.

The Beach Boys walked into a bar and said, "Round round, get around, I get around."

Such an energizing song. It's great!

California Girls

One of the greatest songs of all time, especially since I live in California and near the beach, where they truly are the best honeys in the world.

So happy, upbeat, and just overall an amazing song. It just so happens to be my favorite song of all time.

Surfin' U.S.A.

Wow, so underrated. It should easily be in the top ten. It's easily in my top three. Great song. Come on, guys, rate it up!

Surf's Up

How is Kokomo above Surf's Up? Mike Love trying to be relevant versus Brian Wilson at his absolute musical peak, creating harmonies far beyond human? This is just sad. Though I wouldn't agree, I'm fine with Good Vibrations, God Only Knows, Wouldn't It Be Nice, and California Girls being above this one, but Kokomo? What is wrong with this list?

Such a great song. How is this number one?! The piano is amazing.

I'm so glad to see it in the top ten where it belongs.

Kokomo

I am 16, and I LOVE the Beach Boys with pure pride and joy. I know every last word to every single song. This means I am committed to really deciding on a good song.

This song, and many others on this list, are amazing! However, this one takes the cake by far. It's light and upbeat, and it really lets your imagination run wild!

This is their best and most famous song! It's perfect to hear in the summer, under the moon. Really nice! Enjoy this song, ladies and gentlemen!

Brilliant song, a timeless classic! The vocals are flawless, and the instrumental harmony is impeccable. Molto bene, or as the Italians say, molto bene! Kokomo! Gracias.

Fun, Fun, Fun
Sloop John B.

The lyrics are crafted from an American folk song, but if we're being fair, minimal Beach Boys music remains pertinent in terms of lyrical meaning. The tune and construction are far more important, which, in my opinion, makes it top 3.

Powerful song with impeccable instrumentation throughout. Mike Love's vocals in the middle are the weak spot, but what do you expect?

My favorite. I know the lyrics are basic, but the tune is irresistible. It's a timeless classic.

The Newcomers

? I Know There's an Answer

This song gets lost somehow but is the second-best song on Pet Sounds. The first time I heard this, it was unlike anything I'd ever heard.

? Forever

How can this song be so underrated? This song has to be the greatest love song ever written. Mesmerizing vocals by Dennis Wilson and very godly harmony vocals in this song. Even Brian Wilson admits that this song has the best harmony of all the Beach Boys' songs.

This song is incredibly beautiful! Dennis Wilson (R.I.P.) has a great voice. There's so much emotion and tenderness in this song. The only bad thing is that it's not long enough.

The Contenders
Don't Worry Baby

I get tearful every time I hear this. It's so beautifully sung and makes me think of summer.

Those high notes are something that only Brian would be able to hit.

Their very best, if you ask me. Paul McCartney said it too.

Surfin' Safari

Dude, this is my real introduction to The Beach Boys. I mean, from Hawaii to the shores of Peru, this song definitely has good vibrations in it.

It's just a happy little ditty! I don't know, but somehow it's my favorite Beach Boys tune!

Heroes and Villains

It sounds great and is a perfect song, but it doesn't seem as experimental as some of the other stuff. Just a great song.

It's different from all the others. It has a little something that makes it more than a song. It's an experience.

Excellent. It's like a psychedelic barbershop quartet.

Help Me, Rhonda

My go-to song for karaoke. A happy sing-along song. I'm a baseball PA announcer and often play it for the 7th-inning stretch. It has such universal appeal and is so much fun that everyone sings along. Great job, Alan!

A phenomenal job on lead vocals by Al Jardine!

Surfer Girl

A pure classic. I listened to it over and over during my tween years in Santa Cruz. I got my first kiss from my "girlfriend" at the Friday night dance.

Darlin'

I grew up listening to this song blasting in the car while I sat in my car seat. I also grew up having my dad sing this to me. It's my favorite Beach Boys song, hands down!

How on earth can this song be so far off the top five? I have no idea. Personally, I love this song a lot.

My personal favorite. I have no idea why this song is not in the top ten.

All I Wanna Do
You Still Believe In Me

Excellent vocals, especially in the outro. It's a psychedelic journey. This has to be one of the greats. The trouble is, Pet Sounds created so many epic songs.

Really underrated, even among fans. It's definitely in my top ten - maybe even top five.

So much underrated! An explosion of perfect sounds. Divine.

Barbara Ann

I love the song because it reminds me of my best friend's aunt. It's also an uplifting, feel-good song.

How on earth is this so low? I figured that it had to be in the top five to seven since it was so darn popular.

I love to dance to this song. I also like Wouldn't It Be Nice, Kokomo, Good Vibrations, and Little Saint Nick.

That's Not Me
It's About Time

One of my favorite tracks on Sunflower. It's a rocking track!

Do It Again

What! How can this be ranked so low? It should be second, just behind Good Vibrations.

Great song with the best hook of any of their recordings.

Little Deuce Coupe
Sail On, Sailor
In My Room
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