10 of the Best Beach Boys Songs to Learn and Play
The passing of Brian Wilson leaves a hole in the heart of popular music. Born in 1942 in Inglewood, California, Wilson didn't just write surf songs—he orchestrated the sound of America's golden coast. As the genius behind the Beach Boys' most iconic work, Wilson blended lush harmonies, complex arrangements, and fragile emotion—leaving behind not just hits, but a legacy that reshaped modern music.
Discover 10 essential Beach Boys songs to learn and play below.
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God Only Knows, The Beach Boys
Released on The Beach Boys' 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds, "God Only Knows" is the kind of song that feels like it's always been there—quietly tugging at heartstrings. Built around a simple, heartfelt lyric, it soars thanks to the group's breathtaking vocal harmonies. Though modest in its chart debut, the song has grown into one of the most cherished in pop history.
Surfin' USA, The Beach Boys
"Surfin' U.S.A." captures the sun-soaked spirit of early 1960s California, blending the band's signature harmonies with Chuck Berry-inspired guitar riffs. Released in 1963, the song became the band's first national hit, helping define the surf rock genre in the process. Though musically simpler than their later work, its tight vocal layering and infectious energy showed early signs of Brian Wilson's gift for arrangement.
Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
Thought to be one of the most expensive singles ever recorded, "Good Vibrations" was promoted as a "pocket symphony," and it broke the mold of traditional pop structure with its shifting sections and experimental instrumentation—including the iconic theremin. A number-one hit in the US, UK, and Australia, it signaled the band's full embrace of the psychedelic era and redefined what a pop single could be.
Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys
"Wouldn't It Be Nice," in Brian Wilson's own words, is a song that "expresses the frustration of youth, what you can't have, what you really want, and you have to wait for it." The track opens Pet Sounds with a bright, orchestral intro that feels almost symphonic. Its intricate arrangement, featuring layered harmonies, shifting tempos, and a harp-like guitar make it one of The Beach Boys' most musically ambitious pop tracks, whilst being irresistibly catchy at the same time.
Kokomo, The Beach Boys
Released in 1988, "Kokomo" marked an unexpected late-career hit for The Beach Boys, and featured in the film Cocktail. The song swaps the band's classic surf-rock energy for a soft, escapist fantasy set to steel drums and gentle harmonies. While it lacks the layered complexity of their earlier work (Brian Wilson wasn't involved in the song's composition or recording) "Kokomo" channels the same sun-drenched charm, and its warm production and sing-along chorus struck a chord with audiences worldwide.
Barbara Ann, The Beach Boys
Originally recorded by The Regents in 1961, "Barbara Ann" found new life when The Beach Boys covered it in 1965, injecting it with youthful exuberance and a raw, impromptu energy. Featuring Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean on lead vocals, the track was famously recorded in a single take. Though not part of their more experimental work, its stripped-down doo-wop charm and call-and-response format made it an immediate crowd-pleaser and peaked at No.2 in the charts behind The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" in early 1966.
I Get Around, The Beach Boys
Marking The Beach Boys' first No. 1 hit in the US, "I Get Around" captured the band at a turning point—blending their signature surf sound with tighter production and more sophisticated vocal arrangements. Driven by Brian Wilson's ambitious songwriting and layered harmonies, the track signaled a move toward greater creative control and studio experimentation, and its high-energy rhythm and swaggering lyrics made it a defining anthem of teen independence.
California Girls, The Beach Boys
Released in 1965 on the album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), "California Girls" showcased Brian Wilson's maturation as a composer, opening with a rich orchestral prelude before settling into sun-soaked harmonies. Wilson later described the song as "a hymn to youth," and its ambitious structure and production hinted at the sonic experimentation to come. As well as reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song was also a top 10 hit in several other countries, making it one of the band's most successful songs globally.
Don't Worry Baby, The Beach Boys
Released in 1964 as the B-side to "I Get Around," "Don't Worry Baby" stands as one of The Beach Boys' most emotionally resonant recordings, marrying vulnerability with lush, multilayered harmonies. In writing the song, Brian Wilson took inspiration from the Ronettes' 1963 single "Be My Baby," and its harmonic sophistication and emotional dynamics set it apart as one of The Beach Boy's most musically refined early recordings.
Little Saint Nick, The Beach Boys
It wouldn't be a list of the best Beach Boys songs without featuring one of their holiday tunes, and "Little Saint Nick," released in 1963, stands out as a festive classic that blends seasonal cheer with the band's signature surf-pop sound. Featuring the obligatory sleigh bells alongside falsetto harmonies and the bounce of their early car songs like "Little Deuce Coupe," it's a playful, feel-good favorite that has become a staple of Christmas playlists.
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