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Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Surf rock

A surfer catches a wave at Waimea Bay.
A surfer catches a wave at Waimea Bay.Marco Garcia/AP | NPR

by Anna Reed

August 03, 2017

Today in 1963, The Beach Boys "Surfer Girl" entered the Billboard chart. The song was Brian Wilson's first ever composition, and according to the book "Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961-1963" by James B. Murphy, he explained the genesis of the song:

"Back in 1961, I'd never written a song in my life. I was nineteen years old. And I put myself to the test in my car one day. I was actually driving to a hot dog stand, and I actually created a melody in my head without being able to hear it on a piano. I sang it to myself; I didn't even sing it out loud in the car. When I got home that day, I finished the song, wrote the bridge, put the harmonies together and called it 'Surfer Girl'."

So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what surf rock songs do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played

Best Coast - California Nights
The Ventures - Walk, Don't Run
The Surfaris - Wipe Out
The Clash - Charlie Don't Surf
The 5.6.7.8's - I Walk Like Jayne Mansfield
Dick Dale and His Del-Tones - Misirlou
Radio Birdman - Aloha Steve and Danno
The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
The Chantays - Pipeline
Little Barrie - Surf Hell