"Little Girl (You're My Miss America)" was the first Dennis Wilson vocal. Deniis Wilson would always be an under appreciated and under utilized vocalist. He would sing a song or two every now and then, but would never gain the spotlight vocally. Their first single "Surfin'" was included on the album and is interesting in that it shows how far Brian Wilson had progressed musically in just a few months. The Beach Boys sound from "Surfin'" to "Surfin' Safari" are miles apart.
It was common in the early 1960's to build albums around a few hit songs and the early Beach Boy albums would follow this trend. Thus Surfin' Safari contains alot of what can be called filler songs. The Beach Boys could not quite pull off the Eddie Cochran hit "Summertime Blues." Such throwaway songs as "Coo Coo Clock," "Moon Dawg," and "The Shift" have mercifully disappeared into the mists of time.
Surfin' Safari remains historically important as the first release for one of the great American rock & roll bands. While its sound would be quickly replaced by the brilliance of future Beach Boys recordings, in 1962 it was still a significant first step.
Article comments
1 - Mark
I love Moon Dawg and The Shift! Either one of them should have been the next single. Moon Dawg has one of the best Carl solos, and the howls and energy make the Boys sound like the purists definition of a real surf music band. The Shift is just pure party fun and way better than Indians or Chug a lug.
2 - Vic Morton
New CD sounds for the world like a new Beatles album with 11 new songs. www.CdBaby.com/TheAbout