In The Parking Lot

[Don't Back Down]

One of the best vocal "doo-wop"- style openers and closers ever. Sometimes when I listen to the song that vocal harmony part never seems to fit the whole song. It fits altogether, but it's just interesting sometimes I dont think it does. Thoughts, comments, etc?

[Mitchell]

I absolutely love the song and I did a "vocals-only" cover of it a few months ago.

[Don't Back Down]

I believe I heard that one,  I remember hearing a cover online. I enjoyed it

[DUMB ANGEL]

Terrific song, the harmonies on the first eight bars of the song are why a lot of people love the Beach Boys

[Lowbacca]

ITPL features some of my favourite BBs vocal recordings ever. Absolutely gorgeous vocal arrangements.

[MBE]

I love that recording because it shows the new depth Brian was striving for.

[Mahalo]

This song reeks of AWESOMENESS!!!!   

As great (timeless) as the opening and closing harmonies are, the song itself represents hating to wake up early in the morning, independence from responsibility, obsevation of scenery around us, pride, and lust for chicks!

I cannot convey in just words how fodaing amazing this song is...

[wavedancer]

  Yes love it too. I think it was AGD who said in his book, a whole album of college songs would have been good.

[Mahalo]

  Yes love it too. I think it was AGD who said in his book, a whole album of college songs would have been good.

The genius lies in the fact that this goes beyond college...but well into career and a basic metaphor for life itself...which cannot be explained in mere Mike Love Love lyrics but in the beautiful wordless harmonies that a young, naive Brian wrote.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Agree to all of the above - I've always loved this song. The whole package, not just the (admittedly amazing) opening/closing sections. The harmonies on the chorus - by God, but they're stupendous! Great song, from a great album - aside from the 2 or 3 obvious throwaway filler tracks, the songs are just staggeringly superb throughout.

[Mr. Cohen]

And, of course, the greatest closing couplet of all time:
"Here comes the news,
there's no time to lose!"

Indeed.

[KittyKat]

Possibly one of the greatest Beach Boys' songs ever.  Amazing harmony arrangement and performance.  I also like the lyrics.  I'm not sure I'd call it a college song, though.  It's the story of all the kids in American suburban high schools once they get their driver's license and drive themselves to school instead of taking the bus. 

[JanBerryFarm]

Great Song.. Right up there with Pom Pom Playgirl. Yep.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Great Song.. Right up there with Pom Pom Playgirl. Yep.

Pom Pom Play Girl also great - not on a par with Parkin' Lot, but really nice early Carl vocal (he sounds about 12!), fantastic lyrics by Mike and more terrific chord changes. You know, these two songs, Fun Fun Fun, Why Do Fools..., Keep An Eye On Summer, two of the groups all-time greatest ballads, Dennis' vocal on This Car Of Mine - so many magical moments! Shut Down Vol 2 is criminally under-rated and features more highlights than a lot of their more celebrated, more consistent albums.

[KittyKat]

Great Song.. Right up there with Pom Pom Playgirl. Yep.

Pom Pom Play Girl also great - not on a par with Parkin' Lot, but really nice early Carl vocal (he sounds about 12!), fantastic lyrics by Mike and more terrific chord changes. You know, these two songs, Fun Fun Fun, Why Do Fools..., Keep An Eye On Summer, two of the groups all-time greatest ballads, Dennis' vocal on This Car Of Mine - so many magical moments! Shut Down Vol 2 is criminally under-rated and features more highlights than a lot of their more celebrated, more consistent albums.

Pom Pom was co-written by Gary Usher and Parking Lot by Roger Christian.  Unless Wikipedia has it wrong or Mike claimed those in the lawsuit.

[Ebb and Flow]

Possibly one of the greatest Beach Boys' songs ever.  Amazing harmony arrangement and performance.  I also like the lyrics.  I'm not sure I'd call it a college song, though.  It's the story of all the kids in American suburban high schools once they get their driver's license and drive themselves to school instead of taking the bus. 

Yeah, I've always seen it as an expression of the freedom that owning a car gives young people...moreso than the rest of their car songs.