The Beach Boys — California Girls
Album: Summer DaysAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1131
Length: 2:41
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Well East coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there
The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
I dig a french bikini on Hawaii island
Dolls by a palm tree in the sand
I been all around this great big world
And I seen all kinds of girls
Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the states
Back to the cutest girls in the world
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there
The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
I dig a french bikini on Hawaii island
Dolls by a palm tree in the sand
I been all around this great big world
And I seen all kinds of girls
Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the states
Back to the cutest girls in the world
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
Comments (63)add comment
dogpound wrote:
I agree, I cringe when i hear this song
I think this suffers from overplay
I agree, I cringe when i hear this song
timmus wrote:
You bet! I was 10yrs old when this came out! I loved it then, & I still love it now!!
That ethereal, baroque sounding opening must have been an amazing thing to hear in 1965. To think just 5-6 years before that pop music was a lot of doowop, rockabilly, and girl/boy groups.
You bet! I was 10yrs old when this came out! I loved it then, & I still love it now!!
I think this suffers from overplay
Nope - PSD real quickThat ethereal, baroque sounding opening must have been an amazing thing to hear in 1965. To think just 5-6 years before that pop music was a lot of doowop, rockabilly, and girl/boy groups.
It's not on the same level as "God Only Knows" for me, but damn, it's still a 9.
WOW........everything was certainly clean sounding in 1965. great harmony
Great warming song to hear on a cold grey November afternoon in Scotland.
dtown40 wrote:
this song hales from the golden summers of my youth - so, yeah - we're probably both old farts now . . .
I really like this tune......... does this make me sound like an old fart?
this song hales from the golden summers of my youth - so, yeah - we're probably both old farts now . . .
pope183 wrote:
It seems to me that moving out of that 'sweet spot" would naturally have the effect you describe, unless you moved in closer, it would be the opposite.
there is something out of phase with this mix - ive had years of experience in the studio and there is something off - when you stand just a tad further out than the perfect symmetrical triangle sweet spot moving my head a tad to the right the left side gets louder - and moving a tad to the left the right gets louder. If i could get an oscilloscope on this i am sure my suspicions would be confirmed . another key tip off missing low end in the middle between the speakers and weird lows in front of each
It seems to me that moving out of that 'sweet spot" would naturally have the effect you describe, unless you moved in closer, it would be the opposite.
pope183 wrote:
Actually this was mono at the time you wrote this (now replaced with the 2002 stereo mix). Sounds like your speakers might have been out of phase.
there is something out of phase with this mix - ive had years of experience in the studio and there is something off - when you stand just a tad further out than the perfect symmetrical triangle sweet spot moving my head a tad to the right the left side gets louder - and moving a tad to the left the right gets louder. If i could get an oscilloscope on this i am sure my suspicions would be confirmed . another key tip off missing low end in the middle between the speakers and weird lows in front of each
Actually this was mono at the time you wrote this (now replaced with the 2002 stereo mix). Sounds like your speakers might have been out of phase.
I am grateful for being alone at home right now. I can sing along with reckless abandon.
pope183 wrote:
I've never noticed. Not saying you aren't correct. Brian can't hear a stereo mix. He lost the hearing in one of his ears as a kid before becoming a producer. He's said that not being able to hear stereo was the "biggest ripoff" of his life. Can you imagine?
there is something out of phase with this mix - ive had years of experience in the studio and there is something off - when you stand just a tad further out than the perfect symmetrical triangle sweet spot moving my head a tad to the right the left side gets louder - and moving a tad to the left the right gets louder. If i could get an oscilloscope on this i am sure my suspicions would be confirmed . another key tip off missing low end in the middle between the speakers and weird lows in front of each
I've never noticed. Not saying you aren't correct. Brian can't hear a stereo mix. He lost the hearing in one of his ears as a kid before becoming a producer. He's said that not being able to hear stereo was the "biggest ripoff" of his life. Can you imagine?
Fantastic! DLR shouldn't have touched it. The swine.
there is something out of phase with this mix - ive had years of experience in the studio and there is something off - when you stand just a tad further out than the perfect symmetrical triangle sweet spot moving my head a tad to the right the left side gets louder - and moving a tad to the left the right gets louder. If i could get an oscilloscope on this i am sure my suspicions would be confirmed . another key tip off missing low end in the middle between the speakers and weird lows in front of each
It's funny. You hear stories how their harmonies inspired the Grateful Dead, CSNY, and others.
In the end, we all want harmony, with a little dissonance.
In the end, we all want harmony, with a little dissonance.
thewiseking wrote:
that disqualifies you on many levels
that disqualifies you on many levels
(dragging of images from your computer into post editor is not allowed. dragging images from web pages is ok.)
thewiseking wrote:
Give us the love songs to Hot Rods: 409, Shut Down, Little Deuce, I Get Around
For the doubters, dig on this. Nostalgia tinged with sadness. Songs from a world long gone
“Surfin’ Safari”
Sept ’62, #14
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Apr 63 – #3
“Surfer Girl”
July 63 – #7
“Little Deuce Coupe”
Sept 63 – #15
“True To Your School”
Oct 63 – #6
“In My Room”
Nov 63 – #23
“Little Saint Nick”
Dec 63 – #3
“Fun, Fun, Fun”
Feb 64 – # 5
“I Get Around”
May 64 – #1
“Don’t Worry Baby”
May 64 – #24
“When I Grow Up”
Aug 64 – # 9
“Wendy”
Sept 64 – #44
“Dance, Dance, Dance”
Oct 64 – #8
“Warmth of the Sun”
Oct 64 – #8 (B-side)
“Do You Wanna Dance”
Feb 65 – #12
“Help Me, Rhonda”
Apr 65 -#1
“California Girls”
July 65 – #3
“Barbara Ann”
Dec 65 – #2
“Sloop John B”
Mar 66 – # 3
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
July 66 – #8
“God Only Knows”
July 66 – #39
“Good Vibrations”
Oct 66 – #1
I remember the Beach Boys as a pre-teen. They were fun to listen to, touching the feelings of joy of playing and being alive. And later, when my children were pre-teens, they played for several hundred thousand at the annual 4th of July concert in Philly in front the Museum of Art, aka The Rocky Steps. We parked and walked a mile to the Ben Franklin Parkway where we all got tye-dye baby Robin Egg Shell blue Beach Boys T-Shirts. My daughters thought they were so cool, the shirts, and wore them all the time for years and years. I think they love the Beach Boys as well. Music for the love of life, not a soundtrack for sociopaths and victims of despair. Sail on Sailor. Brian, Mike and all of the rest of The Boys.
For the doubters, dig on this. Nostalgia tinged with sadness. Songs from a world long gone
“Surfin’ Safari”
Sept ’62, #14
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Apr 63 – #3
“Surfer Girl”
July 63 – #7
“Little Deuce Coupe”
Sept 63 – #15
“True To Your School”
Oct 63 – #6
“In My Room”
Nov 63 – #23
“Little Saint Nick”
Dec 63 – #3
“Fun, Fun, Fun”
Feb 64 – # 5
“I Get Around”
May 64 – #1
“Don’t Worry Baby”
May 64 – #24
“When I Grow Up”
Aug 64 – # 9
“Wendy”
Sept 64 – #44
“Dance, Dance, Dance”
Oct 64 – #8
“Warmth of the Sun”
Oct 64 – #8 (B-side)
“Do You Wanna Dance”
Feb 65 – #12
“Help Me, Rhonda”
Apr 65 -#1
“California Girls”
July 65 – #3
“Barbara Ann”
Dec 65 – #2
“Sloop John B”
Mar 66 – # 3
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
July 66 – #8
“God Only Knows”
July 66 – #39
“Good Vibrations”
Oct 66 – #1
I remember the Beach Boys as a pre-teen. They were fun to listen to, touching the feelings of joy of playing and being alive. And later, when my children were pre-teens, they played for several hundred thousand at the annual 4th of July concert in Philly in front the Museum of Art, aka The Rocky Steps. We parked and walked a mile to the Ben Franklin Parkway where we all got tye-dye baby Robin Egg Shell blue Beach Boys T-Shirts. My daughters thought they were so cool, the shirts, and wore them all the time for years and years. I think they love the Beach Boys as well. Music for the love of life, not a soundtrack for sociopaths and victims of despair. Sail on Sailor. Brian, Mike and all of the rest of The Boys.
VH1 wrote:
Sorry, if you were there when it was a brand new song, it was a true story and the tits and and asses were real and the best there ever was.
What a hynm for all the chirugically enhanced on the californian beaches! I've seen no real titts there or asses for that matter, plastic everywhere! 
Sorry, if you were there when it was a brand new song, it was a true story and the tits and and asses were real and the best there ever was.
Rotterdam wrote:
This is the music that inspired Keith Moon, The Beatles and so many others. Sure, they borrowed from Chuck Berry but this sound, that clean Fender sound, was their own and Brian's production skills and innovations (admired by George Martin and Phil Spector) were epic
This is a classic of pop culture! I love it and the memories that it evokes. Also love thinking about the influence that the Beach Boys had on young people around the Western Hemisphere, in their time.
This is the music that inspired Keith Moon, The Beatles and so many others. Sure, they borrowed from Chuck Berry but this sound, that clean Fender sound, was their own and Brian's production skills and innovations (admired by George Martin and Phil Spector) were epic
Give us the love songs to Hot Rods: 409, Shut Down, Little Deuce, I Get Around
For the doubters, dig on this. Nostalgia tinged with sadness. Songs from a world long gone
“Surfin’ Safari”
Sept ’62, #14
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Apr 63 – #3
“Surfer Girl”
July 63 – #7
“Little Deuce Coupe”
Sept 63 – #15
“True To Your School”
Oct 63 – #6
“In My Room”
Nov 63 – #23
“Little Saint Nick”
Dec 63 – #3
“Fun, Fun, Fun”
Feb 64 – # 5
“I Get Around”
May 64 – #1
“Don’t Worry Baby”
May 64 – #24
“When I Grow Up”
Aug 64 – # 9
“Wendy”
Sept 64 – #44
“Dance, Dance, Dance”
Oct 64 – #8
“Warmth of the Sun”
Oct 64 – #8 (B-side)
“Do You Wanna Dance”
Feb 65 – #12
“Help Me, Rhonda”
Apr 65 -#1
“California Girls”
July 65 – #3
“Barbara Ann”
Dec 65 – #2
“Sloop John B”
Mar 66 – # 3
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
July 66 – #8
“God Only Knows”
July 66 – #39
“Good Vibrations”
Oct 66 – #1
For the doubters, dig on this. Nostalgia tinged with sadness. Songs from a world long gone
“Surfin’ Safari”
Sept ’62, #14
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Apr 63 – #3
“Surfer Girl”
July 63 – #7
“Little Deuce Coupe”
Sept 63 – #15
“True To Your School”
Oct 63 – #6
“In My Room”
Nov 63 – #23
“Little Saint Nick”
Dec 63 – #3
“Fun, Fun, Fun”
Feb 64 – # 5
“I Get Around”
May 64 – #1
“Don’t Worry Baby”
May 64 – #24
“When I Grow Up”
Aug 64 – # 9
“Wendy”
Sept 64 – #44
“Dance, Dance, Dance”
Oct 64 – #8
“Warmth of the Sun”
Oct 64 – #8 (B-side)
“Do You Wanna Dance”
Feb 65 – #12
“Help Me, Rhonda”
Apr 65 -#1
“California Girls”
July 65 – #3
“Barbara Ann”
Dec 65 – #2
“Sloop John B”
Mar 66 – # 3
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
July 66 – #8
“God Only Knows”
July 66 – #39
“Good Vibrations”
Oct 66 – #1
Very , very nice!!
I never really appreciated the Beach Boys until I saw the Brian Wilson movie "Love & Mercy". Wow, just wow. 
What a hynm for all the chirugically enhanced on the californian beaches! I've seen no real titts there or asses for that matter, plastic everywhere!
SaxAtPhone wrote:
that disqualifies you on many levels
Funny that I know the cover by David Lee Roth better than this original. :)
that disqualifies you on many levels
WonderLizard wrote:
You're hearing the Wrecking Crew. And, yes, they could do anything.
Classic. Amazing band—they could do anything.
You're hearing the Wrecking Crew. And, yes, they could do anything.
Allman Bros - Stormy Monday! aaaaahhhh, thank you psd, don't want TBB, nope, never like 'em
LPCity wrote:
It's even more impressive after watching the documentary "The Wrecking Crew". Brian heard and created all of these masterpieces in his head and then worked with the absolute best musicians of the day in the LA studios to make the record. The other members of the Beach Boys basically added background vocals and little, if anything, more.
I highly recommend watching it, I think it is still running on Netflix.
It's even more impressive after watching the documentary "The Wrecking Crew". Brian heard and created all of these masterpieces in his head and then worked with the absolute best musicians of the day in the LA studios to make the record. The other members of the Beach Boys basically added background vocals and little, if anything, more.
I highly recommend watching it, I think it is still running on Netflix.
Never really warmed up to the California mystique ala Beach Boys. I guess that is why went I went west I moved to Oregon, and have not regretted that choice.
phlattop wrote:
I remember reading John or Paul noting with a mixture of sympathy and respect how Brian was on his own in the group whereas they had each other to bounce ideas off of. The other Beach Boys were not as appreciative of Brian's meticulous approach in the studio.
And Paul at some point stated that "God Only Knows" is one of the greatest songs ever.
It's even more impressive after watching the documentary "The Wrecking Crew". Brian heard and created all of these masterpieces in his head and then worked with the absolute best musicians of the day in the LA studios to make the record. The other members of the Beach Boys basically added background vocals and little, if anything, more.
I highly recommend watching it, I think it is still running on Netflix.
I remember reading John or Paul noting with a mixture of sympathy and respect how Brian was on his own in the group whereas they had each other to bounce ideas off of. The other Beach Boys were not as appreciative of Brian's meticulous approach in the studio.
And Paul at some point stated that "God Only Knows" is one of the greatest songs ever.
It's even more impressive after watching the documentary "The Wrecking Crew". Brian heard and created all of these masterpieces in his head and then worked with the absolute best musicians of the day in the LA studios to make the record. The other members of the Beach Boys basically added background vocals and little, if anything, more.
I highly recommend watching it, I think it is still running on Netflix.
steeler wrote:
Whether one likes the music of the Beach Boys or not, one should acknowledge that Brian Wilson was a genius in the music field. Lennon and McCartney viewed him as competition, and copied some of what he was doing in the studio. That speaks for itself. In many respects, he was confined by the Beach Boys, and, later, isolated by his own demons. I wonder what he would have been producing all those lost years.
Funny, I came here to kind of harsh on the song, because I've never been a BB's fan. But couldn't do it for the reasons you describe above.
Well done.
steeler wrote:
I remember reading John or Paul noting with a mixture of sympathy and respect how Brian was on his own in the group whereas they had each other to bounce ideas off of. The other Beach Boys were not as appreciative of Brian's meticulous approach in the studio.
And Paul at some point stated that "God Only Knows" is one of the greatest songs ever.
Whether one likes the music of the Beach Boys or not, one should acknowledge that Brian Wilson was a genius in the music field. Lennon and McCartney viewed him as competition, and copied some of what he was doing in the studio. That speaks for itself. In many respects, he was confined by the Beach Boys, and, later, isolated by his own demons. I wonder what he would have been producing all those lost years.
I remember reading John or Paul noting with a mixture of sympathy and respect how Brian was on his own in the group whereas they had each other to bounce ideas off of. The other Beach Boys were not as appreciative of Brian's meticulous approach in the studio.
And Paul at some point stated that "God Only Knows" is one of the greatest songs ever.
mandolin wrote:
love it
love it
Whether one likes the music of the Beach Boys or not, one should acknowledge that Brian Wilson was a genius in the music field. Lennon and McCartney viewed him as competition, and copied some of what he was doing in the studio. That speaks for itself. In many respects, he was confined by the Beach Boys, and, later, isolated by his own demons. I wonder what he would have been producing all those lost years.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Life before LSD and Eugene Landy.
You're so right, they look so sweet, so pure, so innocent, so well queued up. This scares the shit outta me — I've got a 16-year old California Boy. Ahhhhh, the thrills of parenthood....
Life before LSD and Eugene Landy.
You're so right, they look so sweet, so pure, so innocent, so well queued up. This scares the shit outta me — I've got a 16-year old California Boy. Ahhhhh, the thrills of parenthood....
We also played this song when in LA and San D.
Life before LSD and Eugene Landy.
Not Quite
I saw him approx. 15 years ago at the old Polaris Amphitheater. That's the way I remember him. Don't get me wrong. It was a good show, but I went away thinking he hasn't quite gotten over the stage fright.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
This just plods along these days. But I always loved the sound. Saw Brian Wilson in concert several years ago and don't go to see *him* because he just sits there and noodles tunelessly but his band is great. It's worth going just to hear all the classics done live and loud.
diannemck56 wrote:
dancing at my desk....great tune to get me up and moving through the afternoon! 
At least you are in California!
Me, myself and I have to stand the winter that's coming. And in Germany winter is winter. ;)
A wonderful song though.
dancing at my desk....great tune to get me up and moving through the afternoon! At least you are in California!
Me, myself and I have to stand the winter that's coming. And in Germany winter is winter. ;)
A wonderful song though.
dancing at my desk....great tune to get me up and moving through the afternoon! This just plods along these days. But I always loved the sound. Saw Brian Wilson in concert several years ago and don't go to see *him* because he just sits there and noodles tunelessly but his band is great. It's worth going just to hear all the classics done live and loud.
Classic. Amazing band--they could do anything.
C'mon guys and gals. Open your minds!!! This is great, simple, catchy music, from a less complicated time. Music doesn't have to MEAN something to be good.
Plus, listen to this with headphones...GREAT production values.
Plus, listen to this with headphones...GREAT production values.
Iconic.
Path breaking.
Path breaking.
A rating of 7?
People, you obviously don't appreciate nor understand the work of Brian Wilson!!!
People, you obviously don't appreciate nor understand the work of Brian Wilson!!!
scraig wrote:
Especially since Van Halen never covered this; it was covered by their discarded front-man David Lee Moth. I do agree that this version is the best - regardless of anyone's covers.
Van Halen's cover is so much better, said no one ever.
Especially since Van Halen never covered this; it was covered by their discarded front-man David Lee Moth. I do agree that this version is the best - regardless of anyone's covers.
Funny that I know the cover by David Lee Roth better than this original. :)
Hated it then. Hate it now.
Blech!
Blech!
Ho hum. I love Pet Sounds, but this is just too over the top cute and perky for me.
Van Halen's cover is so much better, said no one ever.
Its the truth. Looking at mine sitting across the room.
I really like this tune......... does this make me sound like an old fart?
Haha, great song. I loved the split opinion on it. But what's not to like? It's like laying on the beach, in the sun.
This is a classic of pop culture! I love it and the memories that it evokes. Also love thinking about the influence that the Beach Boys had on young people around the Western Hemisphere, in their time.
Why not?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this song and the memories it represents!
They had the absolute best recording techniques & engineers up until the legendary Bruce Botnik recorded The Doors. Bruce's work still holds up by the standards of today.