Best surf songs of the 1960s
Singles paid the bills at the start of the decade and albums did by the end of it. Once a record could hold one idea across two sides, psychedelia and Southern soul both started writing for the longer form, from opposite ends of the country.
Songs from the surf albums of the 1960s, ordered by their own ratings rather than the record's.
- 2
Cherry Cherry CoupeThe Beach Boys · Little Deuce Coupe1 rating
- 3
Beach StompStevie Wonder · Stevie at the Beach1 rating
- 4
Surfin' 'Round the World (Alternate Version)Bruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 5
The Hamptons (Instrumental)Bruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 6
Down Under (Instrumental)Bruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 7
Surfin's Here to StayBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 8
MalibuBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 9
Hot Pastrami, Mashed Potatoes, Come On to Rincon - Yeah!!!Bruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 10
Surf-A-NovaBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 11
Virginia BeachBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 12
The HamptonsBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 13
Jersey Channel Islands, Pt. 7Bruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 14
BiarritzBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 15
CapetownBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 16
Down UnderBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 17
Makaha At MidnightBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 18
Surfin' 'Round the WorldBruce Johnston · Surfin’ ’Round the World
- 19
Boogie WoodieThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 20
Your Summer DreamThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 21
Our Car ClubThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 22
Surfer's RuleThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 23
HawaiiThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 24
In My RoomThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 25
Little Deuce CoupeThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 26
The Rocking SurferThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 27
South Bay SurferThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 28
The Surfer MoonThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 29
Catch a WaveThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 30
Surfer GirlThe Beach Boys · Surfer Girl
- 31
The ShiftThe Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 32
Moon DawgThe Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 33
Cuckoo ClockThe Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 34
Heads You Win, Tails I LoseThe Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 35
Surfin'The Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 36
409The Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 37
Little Girl (You're My Miss America)The Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 38
Chug-a-LugThe Beach Boys · Surfin' Safari
- 39
Finders KeepersThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 40
Let's Go Trippin'The Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 41
Surf JamThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 42
LanaThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 43
Honky TonkThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 44
Noble SurferThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 45
Lonely SeaThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 46
StokedThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 47
MisirlouThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 48
Farmer's DaughterThe Beach Boys · Surfin' USA
- 49
Our Favorite Recording SessionsThe Beach Boys · All Summer Long
- 50
Carl's Big ChanceThe Beach Boys · All Summer Long
One great song, one bad album
Tracks carry their own ratings here, so a record you would never play front to back can still have a song worth defending.
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