Amusement Parks U.S.A - thumbs up or thumbs down?

[Ovi]

Though I rarely see it getting any praise around here, I've lately grown fond of 'Amusement Parks USA' for some reason. I can't stop listening to it. It's just so darn catchy and quirky in a typical Brian Wilson kind of way. Every time they sing the chorus ("let's take your car and mess around at the park all day!") you can hear the excitement and jubilation in their voices, even though they're basically singing about amusement parks and nothing more. That's great to me. What do you folks think?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Three thumbs up !

[bluesno1fann]

Gave it a thumbs up. It's one of the BB's more underrated early songs!

[drbeachboy]

A big thumbs up from me. A fun song and it brings back many happy memories riding those bumper cars at Jersey's Steel Pier, as they are no more.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Love "Amusement Parks U.S.A.". It's hard to play it just once, you have to repeat it a couple of times. While it's the kind of song Brian could probably write in a couple of minutes in those days, there's so much going on. So intense!

[feelsflow]

Thumbs Up! Great theme, they later returned to for another favorite of mine.  Was so happy they picked Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) for the HDCD mono/stereo releases in 2012.

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I too find myself hitting repeat often these days on many Beach Boys tracks, especially MiC.

[D409]

Thumbs up ! A really good, fun Beach Boys number !

[Jukka]

Thumbs up.

[Sam_BFC]

And the MIC version proves how far ahead they were of The Beatles with Magical Mystery Tour.


 No smiley req.

[Mikie]

Two thumbs up.         One for each version.   I've always liked it!

One time on another board, I gave a little history on each amusement park in the song. It was fun investigating the history and details of each one - most of which are no longer with us. It was like a report on all the surfing spots in the song Surfin' U.S.A.

[leggo of my ego]

  Its good.

While the lyrics are cheerful sounding the organ notes are minor key and lend a sinister tone like evil clowns are watching you.

A good study in opposites. 

[bgas]

Two thumbs up.         One for each version.   I've always liked it!

One time on another board, I gave a little history on each amusement park in the song. It was fun investigating the history and details of each one - most of which are no longer with us. It was like a report on all the surfing spots in the song Surfin' U.S.A.

Can you repeat the history for the new kids in town?

[Gabo]

Thumbs way down.

[Gertie J.]

^

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I love it! Also throw in The Girl from New York City as another underrated gem. To me, Summer Days is to Today, what SMiLE would have been to Pet Sounds in terms of the music and production. More up beat and happy compared to a serious and emotional Today and Pet Sounds.

[Mike's Beard]

Neutral. I love the backing track but the words are a massive turn off. The themes in the song had been explored much better in earlier songs.

[Niko]

Neutral. I love the backing track but the words are a massive turn off. The themes in the song had been explored much better in earlier songs.

Agreed. The piano part that comes in near the end is perfect. Very bouncy and the right musical idea for the right moment. But I can't help but cringe at the 'rollie coster' bit

[Blue2013]

A thumbs up from me as well

[Ram4]

Always loved this song with it's crazy organ and funhouse feel.  I could see them making a great promo film for it had they taken the time back then.  Plus they mention the parachute ride at Riverview Park here in Chicago!  (Long since torn down)

[Quzi]

I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it, but it's certainly an interesting curiosity. The backing track kinda has a proto-psychedelic feel; it doesn't surprise me that it was recorded after Brian had experimented LSD. That said, even though it strongly points toward Brian's subsequent experimenting with new tonal palettes and textures, I just don't find it works as a song. While I'm usually quite forgiving towards bad lyrics, these are awful for 1965 and are married to a subpar vocal melody to boot.

[Kurosawa]

Love it. Very different number, a pre-psychedelic piece as others have noted, and while the lyrics are silly, that's part of their charm. Only one band in the world could have written and recorded this tune.

[Mike's Beard]

I'd like it more if it was just a b side. It's space on Summer Days would have been much better served with a full finished BBs version of Guess I'm Dumb or Sherry She Needs Me.

[Please delete my account]

I'd like it more if it was just a b side. It's space on Summer Days would have been much better served with a full finished BBs version of Guess I'm Dumb or Sherry She Needs Me.

The Beach Boys didn't really do exclusive b-sides though, did they? (Yes, I know, there are exceptions like "The Lord's Prayer" and "You're Welcome")

As to the song, It's just OK to me. I'm looking forward to hearing it mashed up with Heroes and Villains in the Smiley Smilers collaborative covers project. That will still happen, right?

[bluesno1fann]

I'd like it more if it was just a b side. It's space on Summer Days would have been much better served with a full finished BBs version of Guess I'm Dumb or Sherry She Needs Me.

The Beach Boys didn't really do exclusive b-sides though, did they? (Yes, I know, there are exceptions like "The Lord's Prayer" and "You're Welcome")

Not to mention Luau 

[synicalcurpher]

When I first heard SDSN album in 1968 I nearly got RSI flipping between this song and California Girls. All these years later I think the intro is what got me hooked into being a BB devotee. So yea it's special & I'll forgive any poor lyrics on the album when you consider the wonderful backing tracks Brian had throughout the LP