Catch A Wave – The Beach Boys | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Do Not Chart; 1963

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Surf City by Jan & Dean was one of several recording collaborations between the surf-and-drag duo and Beach Boy Brian Wilson. J&D’s versions of Surfin’ and Surfin’ Safari on Jan & Dean Take Linda Surfin’ also featured contributions from the Beach Boy.

Plus, Brian and Jan worked on The New Girl In School: a Brian song originally known as Gonna Hustle You before Jan revamped the lyrics. Brian and Jan, along with deejay Roger Christian, later collaborated on the Jan & Dean hits Drag City, Dead Man’s Curve (the A-side of New Girl), The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena), and Ride The Wild Surf.

Another Jan & Dean reworking of a Wilson composition was Sidewalk Surfin’. Its melody was initially attached to a Beach Boys’ track called Catch A Wave from the Surfer Girl album. Catch A Wave credited Brian Wilson as the sole composer, whereas Sidewalk Surfin’ listed Roger Christian, also.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

  • Brian Wilson

Lyrics Written by:

  • Brian Wilson
  • Mike Love

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Ed Osborne

Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).