Greatest Beach Boys Songs Survey - Winner Revealed and Album Rankings!

[KokoNO]

31. Sail On, Sailor


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnZdGUVSGw

Year: 1973
Album: Holland

Score: 811 (54)




30. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EzEhW1VO9M

Year: 1964/1965
Album: Single/Today!

Score: 811 (56)




29. The Little Girl I Once Knew


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XolOuPK4PsY


Year: 1965
Non-Album Single

Score: 816




28. Surfin' USA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF4uldy2QTA

Year: 1963
Album: Surfin' USA

Score: 821



27. Darlin'


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D3DUx5X8kw

Year: 1967
Album: Wild Honey

Score: 860




26. Help Me, Rhonda


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mZ0ApTA-y4


Year: 1965
Album: Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!)


Score: 867




25. I Can Hear Music


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qmrf103iQA

Year: 1969
Album: 20/20

Score: 870





24. Break Away


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFP5-el8XfQ


Year: 1969
Non-Album Single

Score: 875




23. This Whole World


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M85Fm21b5iY

Year: 1970
Album: Sunflower

Score; 896



22. Wonderful


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DDB1yYwUI


Year: 1967
Album: Smile/Smiley Smile

Score: 900





21. Sloop John B


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09dQmeB_NgU


Year: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds

Score: 905



20. You Still Believe In Me


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an6GZ0uLBFc&feature=related


Year: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds

Score: 907




19. Caroline, No


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r1V3oDSydM


Year: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds


Score: 912




18. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AROBZTOAJNc


Year: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds

Score: 930



17. Kiss Me, Baby


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzAHc0NrpS0

Year: 1965
Album: Today!

Score: 937



16. Fun, Fun, Fun


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4FOiVM4bQc


Year: 1964
Album: Shut Down, Volume Two

Score: 940



15. Please Let Me Wonder


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc4jR7ajbpw


Year: 1965
Album: Today!

Score: 955



14. The Warmth Of The Sun


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70psCljGnXM


Year: 1964
Album: Shut Down, Volume Two

Score: 970



13. Surfer Girl


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZGgyJrruCo


Year: 1963
Album: Surfer Girl

Score: 985



12. Heroes and Villains


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lkk8Cku4p8


Year: 1967
Album: Smile/Smiley Smile

Score: 986



11. In My Room


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fQT-GjKlLw

Year: 1963
Album: Surfer Girl

Score: 987



So, my favorite track ("Surfer Girl") misses the top ten by six points. I hate you, people!  






#101-150:



101. Soulful Old Man Sunshine - 466
102. You Need A Mess of Help To Stand Alone - 457
103. California Saga: Big Sur - 455
104. Lonely Sea - 454
105. Hawaii - 448
106. Don't Back Down - 445
107. I'm So Young - 443
108. Steamboat - 442
109. Then I Kissed Her - 441 (45)
110. Be With Me - 441 (41)
111. Be Here In The Morning - 438
112. I'll Bet He's Nice - 436
113. Baby Blue - 430
114. With Me Tonight - 417
115. We'll Run Away - 415
116. Let Us Go On This Way - 413 (45)
117. Aren't You Glad - 413 (41)
118. Meant For You - 407
119. Don't Hurt My Little Sister - 406
120. I Was Made To Love Her - 404
121. I'd Love Just Once To See You - 403 (43)
122. Surfer Moon - 403 (42)
123. We're Together Again - 402
124. Be True To Your School - 401
125. Their Hearts Were Full of Spring - 399
126. Holidays - 396
127. You're Welcome - 395
128. Never Learn Not To Love - 392
129. Deirdre - 389
130. Farmer's Daughter - 382 (41)
131. Barnyard - 382 (40)
132. Goin' On - 380
133. Lady Lynda - 379
134. Somewhere Near Japan - 376
135. Roller Skating Child - 374
136. Little Pad - 373
137. Girl From New York City - 371
138. You're With Me Tonight - 370
139. Why Do Fools Fall In Love? - 369
140. Angel Come Home - 365
141. I'm In Great Shape - 368
142. Kokomo - 361
143. San Miguel - 359
144. Johnny Carson - 357
145. Barbara Ann - 355
146. My Diane - 354
147. Salt Lake City - 353
148. It's Over Now - 347
149. Getcha Back - 346
150. Got To Know The Woman - 344 (41)

[Craig Boyd]

Where I Belong didn't even make the top 150 

I thought 150 would be enough to cover all this bands greatness, maybe 200 wouldn't be enough! Wow.

[KokoNO]

#151 - 200:



151. Nearest Faraway Place - 344 (47)
152. Morning Christmas - 344 (26)
153. Don't Go Near The Water - 342 (45)
154. I Wanna Be Around/Workshop - 342 (40)
155. Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)/Ol' Man River - 342 (34)
156. Fall Breaks and Back to Winter - 339
157. Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) - 337
158. Surfin' - 333
159. Keep An Eye On Summer - 332
160. We Three Kings Of Orient Are - 331
161. Trombone Dixie - 330
162. 409 - 324
163. Love Surrounds Me - 323
164. She's Goin' Bald - 322
165. Tune X - 313
166. Good Time - 312 (36)
167. Winter Symphony - 312 (29)

168:

Leaving This Town - 309 (33) - 5 - 16
Loop De Loop - 309 (33) - 5 - 16
Tears In The Morning - 309 (33) - 5 - 16

171. 4th of July - 309 (33) - 4
172. Mama Says - 304
173. Walk On By - 298
174. Your Summer Dream - 296 (33)
175. And Your Dreams Come True - 296 (32)
176. Drive-In - 295
177. Summer Means New Love - 294
178. Our Car Club - 292 (38)
179. California Saga: The Beaks of Eagles - 292 (32)
180. California Dreamin' - 292 (22)
181. Mona - 286
182. Spirit of America - 285
183. Mt. Vernon and Fairway (Theme) - 283
184. Solar System - 282
185. I Wanna Pick You Up - 281 (32)
186. Airplane - 281 (29)
187. All I Want To Do - 278 (37)
188. Keepin' The Summer Alive - 278 (36)
189. Passing By - 277 (30)
190. Barbara - 277 (29)
191. Car Crazy Cutie - 275
192. Susie Cincinnati - 273
193. Custom Machine - 272 (34)
194. Just Once In My Life - 272 (30)
195. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - 271 (32)
196. Sail Plane Song - 271 (30)
197. Gettin' Hungry - 270
198. When A Man Needs A Woman - 267
199. Come Go With Me - 264
200. At My Window - 262 (30)

[Craig Boyd]

No way??? Not even in the top 200?? That song's great!

[Eric Aniversario]

Thanks for sharing the top 200!  I was wondering about "At My Window"...just barely made it!  If I'm not mistaken, everything from Sunflower made the top 200, and aside from bonus track "Trombone Dixie", everything from Pet Sounds made top 100.

Most songs made it where I thought they would...no major surprises, although I expected "409", "At My Window" and especially "Your Summer Dream" to make it higher!  Also I kind of expected "Still Cruisin" to be in the lower reaches of the top 200, but alas, no.  Also, kind of surprised at the somewhat high ranking of "Surfer Moon"...I've never understood the appeal of that song, or why it was included on the 1993 boxed set.

Thanks again for sharing!

[Craig Boyd]

I've developed a love for At My Window recently, it has a very alternative sound and it's my favourite Bruce lead vocal (he doesn't oversing) so I was surprised to see it so low too.

[KokoNO]

10. Cabin Essence



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbAWMc-E5P4


Year: 1967/1969
Album: Smile and 20/20

Score: 990






9. Forever


 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tokxcbu_Uo


Year: 1970
Album: Sunflower

Score: 1012





8. 'Til I Die


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9obXA6mDY


Year: 1971
Album: Surf's Up

Score: 1016




7. I Get Around


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDIBMaCTwFw


Year: 1964
Album: All Summer Long

Score: 1035




6. Don't Worry Baby


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y-0nWVdBH4


Year: 1964
Album: Shut Down Volume 2

Score: 1037




Nearly Made The Top 200:

I Just Got My Pay - 262 (29)
There's No Other (Like My Baby) - 262 (26)
Let's Put Our Hearts Together - 260
Devoted To You - 260
Honkin' Down The Highway - 260
The Lord's Prayer - 259
Had To Phone Ya - 255
Where I Belong - 254


The Rest:

All Alone - 183
Amusement Parks USA - 215
Anna Lee, The Healer - 231
Auld Lang Syne - 210
Back Home - 214
The Baker Man - 71
Ballad of Ole' Betsy - 231
Barbie - 64
Beach Boys Stomp - 42
Bells of Christmas - 39
Belles of Paris - 51
Better Get Back In Bed - 179
Blue Christmas - 182
Blueberry Hill - 89
Bluebirds Over The Mountain - 195
Boogie Woodie - 68
Brian's Back - 197
California Calling - 117
California Feeling' - 184
Carl's Big Chance - 113
A Casual Look - 107
Chapel of Love - 99
Chasin' The Sky - 90
Cherry, Cherry Coupe - 215
Child Of Winter - 231
Christmas Day - 139
Christmas Time Is Here Again - 68
Chug A Lug - 107
Cindy, Oh Cindy - 73
County Fair - 106
Crack At Your Love - 114
Crocodile Rock - 84
Cuckoo Clock - 99
Denny's Drums - 75
Diamond Head - 244
Ding Dang - 207
Do You Remember? - 226
East Meets West - 60
Endless Harmony - 153
Everyone's In Love With You - 96
Finders Keepers - 116
Frosty The Snowman - 117
Full Sail - 163
Games Two Can Play - 243
Goin' South - 118
Graduation Day - 245
Happy Endings - 50
He Come Down - 215
Heads You Win - Tails I Lose - 96
H.E.L.P Is On The Way - 194
Here Comes The Night (Disco) - 183
Here She Comes - 181
Hey Little Tomboy - 112
How She Boogalooed It - 249
Hold On Dear Brother - 210
Honky Tonk - 87
Hot Fun In The Summertime - 78
Hully Gully - 114
I Do Love You - 107
(I Saw Santa) Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - 64
I Should Have Known Better - 205
I'm Bugged At My Old Man - 229
I'm So Lonely - 116
I'm The Pied Piper - 194
I'm The Pied Piper (Instrumental) - 234
In My Car - 158
In The Parkin' Lot - 226
In The Still Of The Night - 134
Island Fever - 78
Island Girl - 98
It's A Beautiful Day - 190
It's Getting Late - 208
It's Just A Matter Of Time - 123
Judy - 39
Kona Coast - 150
Lady Liberty - 38
Lahaina Aloha - 158
Lana - 120
Land Ahoy - 102
Lavender - 43
The Letter - 232
Little Girl (You're My Miss America) - 165
Little Surfer Girl - 223
Livin' With A Heartache - 146
Lonely Days - 176
Louie Louie - 84
Love Is A Woman - 134
Luau - 83
Magic Transistor Radio - 183
Make It Big - 89
Make It Good - 187
Male Ego - 174
The Man With All The Toys - 240
Match Point Of Our Love - 171
Maybe I Don't Know - 100
Melekalikimaka - 79
Merry Christmas, Baby - 194
Misirlou - 168
Moon Dawg - 122
The Monkey's Uncle - 207
Noble Surfer - 151
No-Go Showboat - 235
Oh Darlin' - 129
Our Team - 104
Pallisades Park - 175
Passing Friend - 61
Peggy Sue - 94
Pitter Patter - 212
Pom Pom Play Girl - 195
Problem Child - 72
Punchline - 75
Radio King Dom - 206
Remember 'Walking In The Sand' - 57
Rock 'n Roll To The Rescue - 154
Rock and Roll Music - 228
The Rocking Surfer - 78
Ruby Baby - 145
Santa Ana Winds - 244
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - 123
Santa's Beard - 189
Santa's Got An Airplane - 97
School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) - 69
Sea Cruise - 154
She Believes In Love Again - 149
She's Got Rhythm - 141
The Shift - 68
Shortenin' Bread - 214
Shut Down, Part II - 201
Slow Summer Dancing (One Summer Night) - 135
Some Of Your Love - 128
South Bay Surfer - 79
Still Cruisin' - 148
Still Surfin' - 90
Stoked - 158
Strange Things Happen - 117
Student Demonstration Time - 180
Sumahama - 134
Summer In Paradise - 117
Summer of Love - 80
Summertime Blues - 105
Sunshine - 86
Surf Jam - 79
Surfers Rule - 165
Sweet Sunday Kind Of Love - 128
Take A Load Off Your Feet - 226
Talk To Me - 90
Tell Me Why - 165
Ten Little Indians - 78
That Same Song - 213
A Thing Or Two - 248
Things We Did Last Summer - 131
This Car Of Mine - 199
T M Song - 72
Transcendental Meditation - 198
Under The Boardwalk - 81
What Is A Young Girl Made Of? - 51
When Girls Get Together - 115
Whistle In - 231
White Christmas - 139
Winds of Change - 146
Wipe Out (with the Fat Boys) - 73
With A Little Help From My Friends - 180
Wontcha Come Out Tonight - 212
A Young Man Is Gone - 204


Notably "I Do" wasn't on the Wiki page that attempts to list all of the band's songs, so it was an oversight and not included in the poll (although I'm sure there's some others). I checked the other day and it had been added to the list. Figures. 

[Eric Aniversario]

Thanks for posting the full results!  Looks like "Lady Liberty" had the lowest score...bummer about "I Do" being missing from the list, but oh well.  Two more  that were missing (but officially released) were "Happy Birthday America" and "Runaway".

Also, I'm not sure if I'm just missing where "A Time To Live In Dreams" placed...can't see it (sorry in a rush to leave the house!)

Funny that "Heroes & Villains" placed 12th...that was its Billboard Chart peak as well.

[KokoNO]

I had posted earlier that "Judy" was the lowest scorer with 39 points, but it looks like "Lady Liberty" has it beat. 


I've created another playlist. This one runs down from #200 to our winner.


Spotify Playlist Of Top 200 Songs:

http://open.spotify.com/user/casperisis/playlist/5DKVTdRV1UigEROqmN4rt5

NOTE: Playlist does not include 4th of July (#171), It's Over Now (#148), San Miguel (#143) and Kokomo (#142). None of these tracks are on Spotify.

[KokoNO]

Also, I'm not sure if I'm just missing where "A Time To Live In Dreams" placed...can't see it (sorry in a rush to leave the house!)

Wasn't included in the poll....there's always next time. 

[Eric Aniversario]

Also, I'm not sure if I'm just missing where "A Time To Live In Dreams" placed...can't see it (sorry in a rush to leave the house!)

Wasn't included in the poll....there's always next time. 

Yup!  Thanks again for doing this...I have a feeling that if ATTLID had been included, "At My Window" would have just missed the top 200!

[KokoNO]

5. California Girls


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ1UqDnY7as

Year: 1965
Album: Summer Days (And Summer Nights!)

Score: 1040





4. Wouldn't It Be Nice


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI


Year: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds

Score: 1051



3. God Only Knows


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMyS78o5YI


Year: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds

Score: 1055




2. Surf's Up


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ2OKoLpNBM


Year: 1967/1971
Album: Smile/Surf's Up

Score: 1110




1. Good Vibrations


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2gZMNkyJo

Year: 1966/1967
Album: Single/Smile and Smiley Smile

Score: 1135

[Custom Machine]

Thanks for conducting this survey and posting the results, KoKoNo, but PLEASE change your graphic for Forever!  Replace it with the Sunflower cover or a pic of Dennis.  I actually have nothing against the Stamos recording of Forever, and appreciate the fact that he has helped keep the song in the public's consciousness by singing it in concert, but it's Dennis' version on Sunflower that is the classic and made it all the way up to number 9.  Plus, I didn't even notice your little laughing emoticon at first.

[Eric Aniversario]

Thanks for conducting this survey and posting the results, KoKoNo, but PLEASE change your graphic for Forever!  Replace it with the Sunflower cover or a pic of Dennis.  I actually have nothing against the Stamos recording of Forever, and appreciate the fact that he has helped keep the song in the public's consciousness by singing it in concert, but it's Dennis' version on Sunflower that is the classic and made it all the way up to number 9.  Plus, I didn't even notice your little laughing emoticon at first.

Haha, I was shocked and laughed when I saw that!  I, too, didn't notice the laughing emoticon until you pointed it out! 

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Good poll, man. Although Heroes & Villains should've been at number 1. Which version? All of them, jointly.

(Oh and I know it's all down to individual tastes, but if Tears In The bloody Morning and Loop de flippin' Loop are better than 4th of July than i'm a crossing-dressing vicar...)

[drbeachboy]

Shoot, I'm surprised where quite a few songs came in at. Only half the songs in the Top 10 would be in my personal Top 10.

[MBE]

I like all of the top 100 except Tree. I only like the lalst thrity seconds when Brian and Al start singing.

[filledeplage]

Also, I'm not sure if I'm just missing where "A Time To Live In Dreams" placed...can't see it (sorry in a rush to leave the house!)

Wasn't included in the poll....there's always next time. 

Thanks, kokoNo for doing this cool poll.  A few surprises.

 Sail on Sailor didn't make the top 10 and Cabinessence did.  Wow! 

Seems the participants are pretty BB catalog savvy!

A beautiful thing!

Thanks, again! 

[stack-o-tracks]

I like all of the top 100 except Tree. I only like the lalst thrity seconds when Brian and Al start singing.

WHAT ABOUT VAN DYKE PARKS?! YOU NOT LIKE HIS VOICE!

[Runaways]

Tree would have been higher up on my list.  Beautiful melody.  Songs like Meant for you, and your dream comes true and your summer dream would be in my top 100.  i'm surprised forever is in the top 10, same with cabin essence and til i die.  girls on the beach...i can't even put that in my top 100.  it's so by the numbers.

[drbeachboy]

Tree would have been higher up on my list.  Beautiful melody.  Songs like Meant for you, and your dream comes true and your summer dream would be in my top 100.  i'm surprised forever is in the top 10, same with cabin essence and til i die.  girls on the beach...i can't even put that in my top 100.  it's so by the numbers.

Wow, are you saying we are just ordinary folk in here? There is a reason why the hits continue to be popular 40+ years down the line. I admit I'm no snob when it comes to the music, I love the hits, along with Brian's other catchy tunes.

[KokoNO]

Something I'm working on.....complete album ratings. We'll be able to rank the catalog by overall points and average points per track.

Songs in italics are the ones that are clearly better than the rest of the album according to our voters. They would probably make for a great compilation of the band's work.



Surfin' Safari:

1. Surfin' Safari - 557
2. 409 - 324
3. Surfin' - 333
4. Little Girl (You're My Miss America) - 165
5. Moon Dawg - 122
6. Chug-A-Lug - 107
7. County Fair - 106
8. Summertime Blues - 105
9. Cuckoo Clock - 99
10. Heads You Win - Tails I Lose - 96
11. Ten Little Indians - 78
12. The Shift - 68

Total: 2160
Per Song: 180
Tracks Exceeding Average: 3 of 12




Surfin' USA:


1. Surfin' USA - 821
2. Shut Down - 510
3. Lonely Sea - 454
4. Farmer's Daughter - 382
5. Misirlou - 168
6. Stoked - 158
7. Noble Surfer - 151
8. Lana - 120
9. Finders Keepers - 116
10. Honky Tonk - 87
11. Surf Jam - 79
12. Let's Go Trippin' - not in survey


Total: 3046
Per Song In Survey: 277
Tracks Exceeding Average: 4



Surfer Girl:

1. In My Room: 987
2. Surfer Girl: 985
3. Catch A Wave: 667
4. Little Duece Coupe: 650
5. Hawaii: 448
6. The Surfer Moon: 403
7. Your Summer Dream: 296
8. Our Car Club: 292
9. Surfers Rule: 165
10. South Bay Surfer: 79
11. Rocking Surfer: 78
12. Boogie Woodie: 68


Total: 5118
Per Song: 426.5
Tracks Exceeding Average: 5

[metal flake paint]

Enjoying these rankings!

[KokoNO]

Just did the two mountains! Unsurprisingly, Smile is clearly the best overall effort according to the voters (most of whom were from this forum) while Pet Sounds is the best album song-for-song in the band's catalog.


Pet Sounds:

1. God Only Knows - 1055
2. Wouldn't It Be Nice - 1051
3. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times - 930
4. Caroline, No - 912
5. You Still Believe In Me - 907
6. Sloop John B - 905
7. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) - 805
8. I'm Waiting For The Day - 792
9. I Know There's An Answer - 790
10. Here Today - 733
11. That's Not Me - 732
12. Let's Go Away For Awhile - 686
13. Pet Sounds - 657

Total: 10,955
Per Song: 843
Tracks Exceeding Average: 6



Smile:

1. Good Vibrations - 1135
2. Surf's Up - 1110
3. Cabin Essence - 990
4. Heroes and Villains - 986
5. Wonderful - 900
6. Our Prayer/Gee - 788
7. Wind Chimes - 727
8. Vegetables - 722
9. Child Is Father Of The Man - 674
10. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow - 668
11. Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock) - 572
12. Love To Say Da-Da - 555
13. Look (Song For Children) - 492
14. Holidays - 396
15. Barnyard - 382
16. I'm In Great Shape - 368
17. I Wanna Be Around/Workshop - 342
My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine) - Not In Survey (Sorry, Accident!)


Total: 11,807
Per Track In Survey: 695
Tracks Exceeding Average: 8

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

SMiLE Wins! WOO HOO!