Hamptons 100 Songs of Summer #4 “Surfin' U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys

You knew it was coming. You probably even knew it would be in our Top 10. After all, what would the 100 Songs of Summer Countdown be without the world’s most famous surfing song? Whether we actually engage in the sport or just admire its athleticism and culture from afar–everyone loves surfing.

Hamptons 100 Songs of Summer #4

“Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys

Though it debuted as a single in March of 1963 and was then released on the album of the same name that year, The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ U.S.A.” was actually just the music from “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry set to  lyrics by Brian Wilson. This caused some tension when Berry wasn’t credited initially, but the omission has since been rectified and Berry has given it his verbal stamp of approval.

Business and credits aside, “Surfin’ U.S.A. is all about riding waves and enjoying the sun, sand and sea. Created on the West Coast, the song mentions numerous surfing spots in California, along with two in Hawaii and one in Australia, but forgets to note Montauk or Georgica. Alas, even we Hamptonites love it and know it’s well deserving of this Top 10 spot on our local countdown.