The Smiley Smile Message Board

I am a fan of this song and I love the way Denny sings it. But what was the purpose of calling out the Four Seasons at the end? I can imagine there were some comparisons of Brian and Frankie Valli and their similar sounding falsetto's. Was there ever any real rivalry?

I think the Four Seasons were just kind of the ultimate East Coast greaser hodads, besides being chart rivals of the Beach Boys, who, as you know, were all real surfers in real life and just lived on those waves and hung ten constantly- especially Murry. 

Also, I think Brian gave them a nod musically and lyrically because he really liked them.

In 1964, the Four Seasons cut "No Surfin' Today", which could be interpreted as their reply to "Surfers Rule".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xRmb3wtbNA

Nice catch, Ebb- hadn't heard that one.  Harsh response, if so- they killed off Brian's "Surfer Girl".

Beach Boys should have replied quickly with "Sherry Got Hit By A Bus", backed with "My Rag Doll Is Now Turning Tricks (For Drug Money)".  That would have shut 'em up.

No Surfin' Today.... kind of a morbid song! It's interesting to hear songs like No Surfin' Today, Last Kiss, and  Dead Man's Curve...

While I was a reading tutor, my assignments included students in South Bay. Etched into the sidewalk long ago:  SURFERS RULE!!

A totally different world, and unknown to the families hiding behind barred windows and the thugs who claim the territory now.

 :'(

I think the liner notes in the two-fer mention this too, but back then the Four Seasons were one of the biggest rivals of The Beach Boys (in terms of succes), something that one forgets nowadays very easily as the BBs turned out to be bigger after the British Invasion. But I don't think that "Surfers rule" was meant in an evil way.

They made up later on by cutting a single together: East meets West (FBI Records)

Yeah, didn't Bruce mention that the vocals were recorded just days before Dennis drowned?

I love Surfers Rule:) Never heard 4 Seasons song though...its kinda dragging...dont really like it. I like the 4 Seasons but not one of their best songs:/

Was Dennis on East Meets West?

No - Bruce told me in 1985 they cut the vocals about a week before he died.

Out of curiousity, what *was* Dennis' last recorded vocal? Carl's too, for that matter.

Great question.

Not a black & white answer. Of course - it's The Beach Boys.

Carl's last recording session before his passing was for the bvs to Michael Angeloff's Here And Now... Is Forever CD - he guested on the title track  & "Life's So Strange". The album was released April 2000. His last lead vocals were for the Like A Brother CD, released June 2000 but recorded up to seven years previously. Carl's last Beach Boys vocals would have been for the Stars & Stripes project - the "In My Room" session, June 13th 1996 in Nashville. For those not counting that as a pukka catalog item, the vocals for "Soul Searchin'" was recorded November 16th/17th 1995 at Oceanway (formerly Western).

Dennis' last ever vocal session was apparently for the song "Labor Day", fittingly on September 3rd 1982 at Unicorn. The so-called 'Cocaine sessions' were more of a stoned jam with Brian, but for completeness they happened in early November the same year.

Andrew, this is why we appreciate you so much -  you love the music and it seems nothing can keep you (and the facts) down.

I feel like saying "welcome back" but you've never been away.

Thanks for being here!

Right now, it's a welcome distraction.

When was this?

Think I read it was mid-96

But is Dennis voice to be heard in those?

Not that I recall.