Peak
14
Weeks
17
Score
2,182
Chart Year
1962
Many of the early Beach Boys songs were about surfing, which was their niche (their first record label named the band; they were almost The Surfers). Only their drummer, Dennis Wilson, surfed, but they could fake it in photos and songs. "Surfin' Safari" is a travelogue of popular surf spots in California: Huntington, Malibu, Doheny State Beach, Rincon, Laguna Beach. They also mention Cerro Azul in Peru. Released June 4th 1962, this was the Beach Boys' first major hit. In his 1990 autobiography Brian Wilson said it sold 900,000 copies, and more overseas: #1 in Sweden, #13 in New Zealand, and a hit too in Italy and France, where it attracted cover versions. In the first verse, the band grabs some honeys and loads up the woody with some boards, setting the stage for the surfin' safari with some hip lingo. A woody is a funny looking wood-paneled vehicle popular with surfers. It also gets a mention in "Surfer Girl" with the line, "In my woody I would take you everywhere I go." Written by Wilson and lead singer Mike Love, this was the first recording to display the distinctive counterpoint harmonies for which the group became famous. The recording was also self-produced, and taken to Capitol complete with its B-side "409" which was a minor hit. This precedent made the Beach Boys the first total, self-contained artists of the rock era, not to be matched for many years to come. When the Chrysler corporation conducted a survey in 2004 on "What is the best song to cruise to?" - this won. >> This was the second Beach Boys single, and their first with Capitol Records. Their first single, "Surfin'," was issued on the independent label Candix Records. Group patriarch Murry Wilson sold the masters of "Surfin' Safari," along with two other songs, "Lonely Sea" and "409," to Capitol for $100 each, with a 2.5% royalty for the group. With "409" issued as the B-side, the single proved successful, and Capitol signed the band. The group had already done a lot of work on their debut album by the time they got the deal. On the DVD Brian Wilson Songwriter 1962 - 1969, Mike Love credits Murry Wilson - father of Brian, Carl and Dennis of The Beach Boys - with the distinctive treblelly guitar sound on this track. When Brian Wilson would leave the control room to record his bass parts, Murry, who fancied himself a producer, would switch the sounds on the guitars to the treble he preferred. Love feels that guitar sound really cut through and helped "Surfin' Safari" sell.
Let's go surfin' now Everybody's learnin' how Come on and safari with me (Come on and safari with) Early in the mornin' we'll be startin' out Some honeys will be comin' along We're loadin' up our Woody with our boards inside And headin' out singin' our song Come on, baby, wait and see (surfin', surfin' safari) Yes, I'm gonna take you surfin' with me (surfin', surfin' safari) Come along, baby, wait and see (surfin', surfin' safari) Yes, I'm gonna take you surfin' with me (surfin', surfin' safari) Let's go surfin' now Everybody's learnin' how Come on and safari with me (Come on and safari with) At Huntington and Malibu, they're shootin' the pier At Rincon, they're walkin' the nose We're goin' on safari to the islands this year So if you're comin', get ready to go Come on, baby, wait and see (surfin', surfin' safari) Yes, I'm gonna take you surfin' with me (surfin', surfin' safari) Come along, baby, wait and see (surfin', surfin' safari) Yes, I'm gonna take you surfin' with me (surfin', surfin' safari) Let's go surfin' now Everybody's learnin' how Come on and safari with me (Come on and safari with) They're anglin' in Laguna in Cerro Azul They're kickin' out in Doheny too I tell you surfing's mighty wild, it's gettin' bigger every day From Hawaii to the shores of Peru Come on, baby, wait and see (surfin', surfin' safari) Yes, I'm gonna take you surfin' with me (surfin', surfin' safari) Come along, baby, wait and see (surfin', surfin' safari) Yes, I'm gonna take you surfin' with me (surfin', surfin' safari) Let's go surfin' now Everybody's learnin' how Come on and safari with me (Come on and safari with me) Surfin' safari (yeah, me) Surfin' safari (with me) Surfin' safari (yeah, me) Surfin' safari (with me) Surfin' safari (yeah, me) Surfin' safari (with me) Surfin' safari (yeah, me)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 11, 1962 | 85 | 41 |
| 2 | Aug 18, 1962 | 79 | 47 |
| 3 | Aug 25, 1962 | 62 | 64 |
| 4 | Sep 1, 1962 | 51 | 75 |
| 5 | Sep 8, 1962 | 46 | 80 |
| 6 | Sep 15, 1962 | 30 | 96 |
| 7 | Sep 22, 1962 | 29 | 97 |
| 8 | Sep 29, 1962 | 24 | 102 |
| 9 | Oct 6, 1962 | 19 | 107 |
| 10 | Oct 13, 1962 | 14 | 112 |
| 11 | Oct 20, 1962 | 14 | 112 |
| 12 | Oct 27, 1962 | 21 | 105 |
| 13 | Nov 3, 1962 | 23 | 103 |
| 14 | Nov 10, 1962 | 25 | 101 |
| 15 | Nov 17, 1962 | 31 | 95 |
| 16 | Nov 24, 1962 | 42 | 84 |
| 17 | Dec 1, 1962 | 52 | 74 |