1963 Songs: Surf City
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (62298)
United States
April 15, 2023 10:41am CST
Warm and sunny today! Cool and rainy tomorrow. Welcome to April in the Ohio Valley. Of course, it’s everywhere: I heard Charley Steiner complaining how “cold” (59F) it was at the Dodgers game the other night. We’ll be hoping for that in a couple of months. Speaking of the oncoming summer, this song from 1963 brings memories of summer. Sing along with today’s 60-year-old tune!
Surf City - Jan and Dean
When I was young I thought this was such a Beach Boys ripoff. Then I discovered who wrote it. 
Yeah, Brian Wilson didn’t think much of this song (to the point where he didn’t even finish it), so he gave it to Jan and Dean. Jan Berry finished it, and a legend was born.
Huntington Beach, California is officially “Surf City USA,” thanks to Dean Torrence’s campaigning for the city to adopt that moniker.
Jan Berry continued with a career, even after the near-fatal wreck in 1966. He became a graphics artist and won a Grammy for the cover of the album Pollution in 1971. He died in 2004 of a seizure that may have been related to the injuries he sustained in the wreck. Dean Torrence just turned 83.
The song is timeless.
Surf City
Written by Brian Wilson and Jan Berry
Recorded by Jan and Dean
From Surf City and Other Swingin’ Cities, 1963
Two girls for every boy:
Yeah, Brian Wilson didn’t think much of this song (to the point where he didn’t even finish it), so he gave it to Jan and Dean. Jan Berry finished it, and a legend was born.
Huntington Beach, California is officially “Surf City USA,” thanks to Dean Torrence’s campaigning for the city to adopt that moniker.
Jan Berry continued with a career, even after the near-fatal wreck in 1966. He became a graphics artist and won a Grammy for the cover of the album Pollution in 1971. He died in 2004 of a seizure that may have been related to the injuries he sustained in the wreck. Dean Torrence just turned 83.
The song is timeless.
Surf City
Written by Brian Wilson and Jan Berry
Recorded by Jan and Dean
From Surf City and Other Swingin’ Cities, 1963
Two girls for every boy:
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11 people like this
9 responses
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
16 Apr 23
Jan Berry!!
Brother of Goose and Straw
Son of Chuck
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
16 Apr 23
If he’d lived to be an old man he would have been an elder Berry.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
16 Apr 23
@JimBo452020 — coming from such a jokester as yourself, I consider that a very high compliment. 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95469)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Apr 23
@FourWalls I don't listen to those stations much. Don't listen to radio very much
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
15 Apr 23
Yeah, the dirty slugs. Hope the girls all turn out to be lesbians.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73569)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Apr 23
I loved this song. My Surf City was Coney Island in NYC, Whenever I was there I was reminded of this song,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
16 Apr 23
I never think of people around New York City being surfers. So stereotypical of me, isn’t it. Just can’t see a guy on the subway with his surfboard. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
16 Apr 23
@RasmaSandra — of course, Rockaway Beach! Good enough for the Ramones to sing about!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73569)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Apr 23
@FourWalls then you will find this interesting or perhaps amusing
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/nyc-saturday-surf-surfing-guide#
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (116065)
• United States
15 Apr 23
@FourWalls My grandmother always had the oldies station on at her house.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
15 Apr 23
@NJChicaa — ah. That’s a good grandmother.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34393)
•
2 May
Listening to this one makes me want to go look for my boogie board and ride the surf 
The Boys and Jan and Dean were good friends. That Brian giving away such great songs, lol.
The Boys and Jan and Dean were good friends. That Brian giving away such great songs, lol.1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
3 May
Very generous of him. Of course, he did think it wouldn’t be a hit….
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34393)
•
4 May
@FourWalls Ha, ha. Maybe if Brian surfed, he would have appreciated that tune more.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
16 Apr 23
A fun summertime song (the sexism of “two girls for every boy” notwithstanding ).
).1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62298)
• United States
16 Apr 23
And I joked about it, but nobody thought anything about the “two girls for every boy” line being sexist.
1 person likes this
