The Song That Named The Girl The Beach Boys Loved

In 1965 The Beach Boys introduced the world to "California Girls!"

From their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), the song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, after the band's tour of Europe as an homage to women across the world. It was released as a single, with "Let Him Run Wild", as the B-Side and reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"California Girls" was the band's first recording with touring musician Bruce Johnston, who later became an official member of the group, as the song coined the term and the look of what is now considered to be a California Girl. The Beach Boys would yet again inspire The Beatles, as they would parody the song with their own hit "Back In The U.S.S.R."

David Lee Roth covered the song and scored a major hit, as it matched the original by reaching #3 on the charts. The success of the song and the EP that Roth released, would eventually lead to his leaving Van Halen. In 2010, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and Rolling Stone ranked it number 72 on its greatest songs of all time list.

We really do wish they all could be California Girls!


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