CALIFORNIA – CIRCA 1964: Rock and roll band “The Beach Boys” perform onstage in circa 1964 in California. Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson, Mike Love. Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images via Disney+
We learn that the vocal harmony of these boys was inspired by The Four Freshmen, and their surfing-themed music by instrumental groups like the Ventures. It also reveals that most of them weren’t actually good at surfing. The hit songs are played here — “Surfin USA,” “I Get Around,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Surfin’ Safari,” ” Surfer Girl,” “Good Vibrations,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Sloop John B,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” and many more. Personally, I would have wanted to hear the Boys’ version of “Graduation Day” even though it’s a cover of a Four Freshmen original.
To be fair, we do get to hear a statement that the Beatles’ shift was not as abrupt for their fans as that of the Boys, though that’s hardly in-depth analysis. We might also infer that unlike the Beatles, whose members willingly matured together musically, the Beach Boys seemed to be forced into a premature spurt by Brian’s artistic obsessions. Of course, if you’re a rabid Beatles fan, you might just say that your idols are simply better.