Five Things You Need To Know About The Beach Boys

Summer is finally here. There's no better soundtrack to June/July/August than some Beach Boys! Here are a few need-to-know facts about the Boys of Summer.

The Beach Boys Had A Top Ten R&B Hit In 1987

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In 1987, the Beach Boys teamed up with the Fat Boys, a Run-D.M.C.-esque rap trio. They put out a rap version of the classic surf song "Wipe Out" that, although it was absolutely laughable, was a pretty big hit.

They Also Put Out A '90s Country Album

Really. It was called "Stars and Stripes Vol. 1" and of course there was never a Volume 2. The album consisted of re-recordings of classic Beach Boys songs with contemporary country artists such as Willie Nelson, Sawyer Brown, and even Toby Keith! This video, their redo of "Don't Worry Baby" with Lorrie Morgan, is oddly captivating.

You Can See Them Live This Summer... If You See Two Shows

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Although they put aside their differences last year for a 50th anniversary tour and album, the last twenty years have seen a split down the middle of the Boys. Mike Love somehow got the rights to the name "The Beach Boys" and tours under that name. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and David Marks are not officially part of the touring band, and are doing their own summer tour. So there are essentially dueling Beach Boys tours.

But Pet Sounds!

Despite all of the missteps and drama, The Beach Boys have created some of the best music in the history of time. Rolling Stone called Pet Sounds the second greatest album of all time, behind only Sgt. Pepper's by The Beatles. This YouTube clip is audio of the entire album.

So Add Some Music To Your Day

Pop on any of their great albums (or even their not-so-great-ones) and enjoy the sounds of summer. "This Whole World," off of Sunflower, is sung by the late Carl Wilson. In it's complex simplicity, it is a perfect example of why The Beach Boys matter.