The Smiley Smile Message Board

Which part do you like the best?

The beginning (Carl)
Middle (Brian)
Finale (group)

Can I just pick the whole thing and say how I wish this song got greater recognition? It is simply genius level.

Amen to that!

Some of the greatest things in life are underrated. This band is a perfect example.

The beginning, only because its the only part we know to be vintage

Flag on the play (1): the track, in fact everything bar Carl's vocal of the first section, is vintage.

Flag on the play (2): pretty much all the second section (bar a Moog overdub and some subtle Carl bvs) is also vintage

Really the best piece of music ever, to my taste. And I think the sharpness in Brian's voice is more suited than the softness of Carl's.

Middle.

I agree.

My favorite section would probably depend on the version, but overall, probably the second part. It's such a gorgeous melody.

I can be quite precise:
1. "Surf's up mm-mm mm-mm mm-mm aboard a tidal wave"
2. "I heard the word, wonderful thing, a children's so-o-o-o-o-o-o-ong"
Those are my favorite bits.

The bit when the ruins domino. Golly!

Yeah, that is whelming for sure.

I never got over the Leonard Bernstein special performance by Brian, so while I love the whole thing, his vocal still floors me...

That's magical. I actually just have one of the Brian and piano versions on much higher rotation than the album version.

An amazing song all the way thru!  Sorry to make the predictable Beatles comparison, but this is Brian's "Day in the Life"--only better.  And I love "Day in the Life"....

"Surf's Up" just seems more relevant to me.

My favorite part would have to be the group finale.  It gives me the goose bumps, big time.

yes-let's be honest-I am not sure there was ever a more riveting musical performance by any musician on television than Brian at the piano in December 1966.  But obviously Beach Boys fans also bring extra emotion to viewing it, as we are aware that this sublime moment is the peak of a great artist and that he will soon fall far from these lofty heights and be nearly consumed by personal problems.

Brian Wilson 1966-67.

The very best bit for me is what I call "the breath" - it's that vocal harmony chime just at the transition into "dove nested towers…". It's like that "ahhhhh" moment in Good Vibrations after the "gotta keep those a-lovin' good, vibrations a-happenin' with you…" sequence - a standout moment in an already incredible piece of music. Exquisite.

If I had to pick out one of the three sections as outlined by the OP, it'd be the closing section. Those harmonies are other worldly and I'll never ever tire of listening to that section and being transported to another place. Sheer heaven.

I love this happy thread.

Hard to pick, I love it all.

I love singing this song in my car REALLY LOUD. I'm pretty sure I've got all the lyrics down now... :smokin

I've always loved Brian's vocal on this one.  I tend to play the demo version from the 30 Years of The Beach Boys box set more often than any other version but if I want to be swept away in total harmonic bliss I put on the 1971 group effort.  The whole song is a stand out.  I can't choose any one section. 

Well, my version of "Surf's Up" looks more like this:

The beginning (Brian)
Middle (Brian)
Finale (Group)

'Cause I prefer the TSS mix, see.  Yeah, all Brian, all the time.


Now, tasked with picking a favorite moment from that?  I'm with Emily:

"Surf's up mm-mm mm-mm mm-mm aboard a tidal wave"


When the columnated ruins domino, it takes my breath away, yes.  And the finale is so finely-laden with gorgeous harmony, I sometimes get so swept up in the moment that I lose all sense of time.

But when Brian sings those magical words "Surf's up... aboard a tidal wave"?  Well, there's just something sublime about that.

It's perfect.

I like the 1971 album version best. It was a brilliant move to have Carl sing the first part and then Brian in the middle over the sparse musical backing. Pure magic.

Best song they ever did. 

All of it, simple!  8)

I love it all, but the ending does it for me everytime. 

The build up starts with "Surf's up..mm......." you know the rest. 

When those voices come in at the end, it's just pure magic.  Perhaps my favorite moment in Beach Boys history.