"Surfin' U.S.A."
(Brian Wilson / Chuck Berry)The Beach Boys songAlbum: Surfin' U.S.A. (1963)
Listen to The Beach Boys version: Youtube, SpotifyCovers: 142
The band's first US Top Ten hit, it used the melody to Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen", hence his writing credit.
| Studio covers | Live covers | Samples | Beach Boys & solo version | Medleys | "Bedroom" covers |
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Artist  | Album | Year | Listen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ōsama (王様) (covered as "浜っ子伝説") | 浜っ子伝説～ビーチボーイズ 日本語直訳メドレ single | 1996 | Youtube | Japanese "direct translation" medley of "Surfin' U.S.A."/"Fun, Fun, Fun"/"I Get Around"/"Surfer Girl"/"Good Vibrations"/"Little Honda"/"California Girls"/"God Only Knows"/"Wouldn't It Be Nice". |
| Alvin And The Chipmunks | Songs From Our TV Shows | 1984 | Youtube | If the vocal pitch was any higher only dogs would be able to listen. |
| ApologetiX (covered as "Search And You'll Get Saved") | Chosen Ones | 2007 | Youtube, Spotify | Parody with Christian lyrics. |
| Argies | Fake Reaction | 2003 | Youtube | Spanish punk cover. |
| The Astronauts | Surfin' With The Astronauts | 1963 | Youtube, Spotify | Released as a single in Brazil. |
| Au Bonheur Des Dames (covered as "Quand Arrive L'Été") | Coucou Maman | 1975 | Youtube, Spotify | As rewritten to French, writing credit is Chuck Berry/Ricky Brantalou. Released as a single in France. |
| Adrian Baker | California Girls | 2010 | ||
| The Bandits | Net Sounds 3 | 2000 | ||
| Bandogs | Handmade | 1983 | ||
| Barakkas (covered as "Tot Tgi Vo Cun Skis") | Or Da Schlers E Baraccas 81-85 | 1985 | Romansch lyrics by Benni Vigne | |
| The Beach Boys Inc. | Vintage Series | 2002 | ||
| The Beach Boys (covered as "Medley Part One: Uptempo") | The Beach Boys Medley single | 1981 | A (badly edited) medley consisting of "Good Vibrations"/"Help Me, Rhonda"/"I Get Around"/"Little Deuce Coupe"/"Little Honda"/"Hawaii"/"409"/"Noble Surfer"/"Dance, Dance, Dance"/"Shut Down"/"Surfin' Safari"/"Barbara Ann"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"Fun, Fun, Fun". Released as a single with Part Two (Ballads), and also a significantly shorter single version was released. This version was the B-side to the British "Wouldn't It Be Nice" re-release in 1990. | |
| The Beach Boys (covered as "The Beach Boys Medley") | The Beach Boys Medley single | 1981 | Youtube | A (badly edited) medley of "Good Vibrations"/"Help Me, Rhonda"/"I Get Around"/"Shut Down"/"Surfin' Safari"/"Barbara Ann"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"Fun, Fun, Fun". This is in fact an edit of the much longer "Up Tempo" medley, but with half the songs. The shorter edit is in the listen links, while a slightly longer French version can be listened to here here, if for some reason you want an extra minute. |
| The Beavers | Meet The Beavers Live At Doc Maynard's | |||
| Jeff Beck | Musicares Presents A Tribute To Brian Wilson | 2007 | Youtube | Live cover, backed by Brian's band and with lead vocals by Jeff Foskett |
| Bhonus (covered as "Beach Boys-medley") | Karibien | 2000 | Youtube, Spotify | Medley of "Barbara Ann" / "Good Vibrations" / "Surfin' U.S.A." / "I Get Around" / "Help Me, Rhonda". |
| Blind Guardian | The Forgotten Tales | 1996 | Youtube | Also released as the Blind Guardian Plays Beach Boys promo single, backed with "Barbara Ann / Long Tall Sally". |
| Cagey Strings | 25 Jahre Rock'n'Roll - Oldies & Raritäten | 2007 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover. A live version appears on LIVE: Das Original im Doppelpack. |
| Al Caiola And His Orchestra | Greasy Kid Stuff | 1963 | Youtube, Spotify | Instrumental. |
| California (covered as "Summer Fun Medley") | Summer Fun Medley single | 1981 | Youtube | Medley of "Surfin' U.S.A."/"Little Honda"/"Catch A Wave"/"Fun, Fun, Fun"/"I Get Around"/"Barbara Ann"/"Dance, Dance, Dance"/"Help Me, Rhonda"/"California Girls"/"Good Vibrations". |
| Glen Campbell with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (covered as "Medley: Good Vibrations/Help Me, Rhonda/Surfer Girl/Surfin' U.S.A.") | Live At The Royal Festival Hall | 1977 | Youtube, Spotify | Live medley of "Good Vibrations" / "Help Me, Rhonda" / "Surfer Girl" / "Surfin' U.S.A." |
| The Carmets | Synthesizer Electric Sound | 1974 | ||
| The Carnabees | The Story Of The Beach Boys | 1978 | ||
| Aaron Carter | Aaron Carter | 1997 | Youtube | Also released as a single, with various mixes. |
| The Catalinas | Fun Fun Fun | 1964 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover. Featured Bruce Johnston on piano. |
| Celtic Thunder (covered as "Surfer Medley") | It's Entertainment! | 2010 | Youtube, Spotify | Live medley of Surf City / Fun, Fun, Fun / Surfin'' U.S.A. |
| Chloe | Norwegian Wood | 2011 | ||
| The Coastliners | Footprints In The Sand | |||
| The Craftsmen | What Can We Say | 1965 | Discogs says a 1964 release, but the album contains "You're So Good To Me", which was not released until 1965. | |
| Steve Dahl & The Dahlfins
(covered as "Net Surfin' U.S.A.") | Mai-Tai Roa Aé | 1997 | Youtube, Spotify | With new lyrics about the internet, and backing vocals by Brian Wilson. |
| Despe E Siga (covered as "Surf Em Portugal") | Despe E Siga | 1995 | Youtube, Spotify | Album contained an unplugged version as well - see Spotify link. |
| Dirty Storey Band | Dirty Storey Band | 1997 | ||
| Gretchen Dowsing | Fun, Fun, Fun | |||
| Drew's Famous | Luau Dance Party Favorites | 1996 | Youtube, Spotify | Perhaps the most generic sounding cover of "Surfin' U.S.A." there is. |
| Chris Farmer | California Dreamin' | 2008 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover. |
| The Firebirds | Red Pack | 2013 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover. |
| French Frith Kaiser Thompson | Live, Love, Larf & Loaf | 1987 | Youtube, Spotify | A rather sarcastic cover. |
| The Freshmen (covered as "Surfin' USA Medley") | Irish Showbands; The Greatest Hits Collection | 2011 | Youtube | Live, medley of "Surfin' U.S.A." / "Swanee River" / "God Only Knows" / "Good Vibrations / "Sloop John B". |
| The Frogs Of Summer | Let's Party! | 1997 | Novelty recording using frog noises. Attributed to The Beach Phibs | |
| Annette Funicello | Sings Golden Surfin' Hits | 1965 | Youtube | Straightfoward cover. |
| Leif Garrett | Leif Garrett | 1977 | Youtube, Spotify | Released as a single, went to #20 in the US. |
| Wally George | Sings The Rock Hits! | 1986 | ||
| Gidea Park (covered as "Beach Boy Gold") | Gidea Park | 1981 | Youtube, Spotify | Released as a single, which went to #11 in the UK charts. Medley of "Graduation Day"/"Catch A Wave"/"Surfin' U.S.A"/"I Get Around"/"Little Old Lady From Pasadena"/"Fun, Fun, Fun"/"Sloop John B"/"Dance, Dance, Dance"/"When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)"/"Good Vibrations. A live version appears on their Live In Concert album, with different songs (only "Surfin' U.S.A" and "Fun, Fun, Fun" remaining from the studio version). A live version appears on their Live In Concert album, with different songs (only "Surfin' U.S.A" and "Fun, Fun, Fun" remaining from the studio version). |
| The Great Rufus Road Machine (covered as "Medley: Surfin' USA / Surf City / Fun Fun Fun") | The Great Rufus Road Machine | 1975 | Medley of "Surfin' U.S.A.", "Surf City", and "Fun, Fun, Fun". | |
| Hally Feat. Surf Robot Quartet | Squarewave Surfers # Memory Of 8bit | 2008 | Chiptune/8-bit cover. | |
| The Hard Travelers | The Hard Travelers | 1981 | ||
| Jan Heuvel | Die Super Hitparade 5 | 1978 | ||
| The Hiltonaires | Hits For Young People 14 | 1978 | ||
| Hirokazu Ogura (小倉博和) | Beach Boys: Best Of Tribute | 2004 | ||
| Gary Hoey | Monster Surf | 2005 | Youtube, Spotify | Hard rock guitar instrumental. |
| The Hollyridge Strings | The Beach Boys Song Book: Romantic Instrumentals By The Hollyridge Strings | 1964 | Youtube, Spotify | Orchestral version, arranged by Stu Philips. |
| The Hot Doggers | Surfin' U.S.A. | 1963 | Youtube, Spotify | Features Bruce Johnston on lead vocals. |
| Jacinta | Songs Of Freedom | 2009 | ||
| Jan & Dean | Silver Summer | 1985 | Youtube | The album Silver Summer featured Mike Love on backing vocals and many Beach Boys sidemen on instruments. |
| Al Jardine, Family & Friends | Live In Las Vegas | 2001 | Youtube | Live recording. |
| Jazz Paradise (covered as "サーフィン・U.S.A.") | 夏の訪れを感じるジャズ〜軽快なアレンジに乗せて〜 | 2016 | Spotify | Instrumental jazz cover. |
| The Jesus And Mary Chain | Darklands single | 1987 | Youtube, Spotify | Appeared on the 1988 compilation Barbed Wire Kisses (B-Sides And More) |
| Johnny Jetblack And The Comeback (covered as "Surf's Up Medley") | Johnny Jetblack And The Comeback | 1978 | Medley of "Sea Cruise" / "Sleepwalking" / "Surfer Girl" / "Surfin' U.S.A.". | |
| Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers (covered as "Can Can You Party") | It's Party Time | 1990 | Youtube, Spotify | Medley of "The Can Can"/"Daddy Cool"/"Greased Lightning"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"Barbara Ann"/"Dancin' Party"/"Reet Petite"/"The Can Can". |
| Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers (covered as "Surfin' USA / Wipe Out / Barbara Ann") | Jive Bunny Triple Tracker: Surfin' USA / Wipe Out / Barbara Ann single | 2010 | Youtube, Spotify | Medley of "Surfin' U.S.A."/"Wipe Out"/"Barbara Ann". |
| Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers (covered as "In The Summertime / Surfin' USA / Wipe Out") | Jive Bunny Triple Tracker: In The Summertime / Surfin' USA / Wipe Out single | 2010 | Youtube, Spotify | Medley of "In The Summertime"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"Wipe Out". |
| Jive Bunny And The Mastermixers | Beach Party | 1998 | Youtube, Spotify | Pop cover. |
| John B. & The Surfin' Safaris | A Tribute To The Beach Boys | 2002 | Youtube, Spotify | |
| Juba & Lula (covered as "Surf É O Que Eu Sei") | Juba & Lula O Disco | 1988 | Youtube | In Portuguese. Also released as a single. |
| Kermit and Clifford | Muppet Beach Party | 1993 | Youtube | |
| Chuck Kirkpatrick (covered as "Surf's Up") | Surf's Up single | 1981 | Youtube | Medley of "Little Deuce Coupe"/"Help Me, Rhonda"/"California Girls"/"Good Vibrations"/"In My Room"/"Surfer Girl"/"Don't Worry Baby"/"Wendy"/"I Get Around"/"Barbara Ann"/"Shut Down"/"409"/"Catch A Wave"/"Surfin' Safari"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"Fun, Fun, Fun". |
| Mike Krüger (covered as "Ich Geh' Heut' Surfen") | Stau Mal Wieder | 1978 | Youtube, Spotify | Recorded live, contains parody lyrics in German. |
| Franz Lambert | Pop-Orgel Hitparade 3 | 1978 | ||
| Linie 3 (covered as "The Beach Boys") | Hvor Er De 2 Andre!!? | 1994 | Youtube | Live medley of "Kokomo" / "Good vibrations" / "Surfin' U.S.A." / "Help Me, Rhonda" / "I Get Around" / "Still Cruisin'" / "Heroes And Villains" / "Barbara Ann". |
| Little Joe Shaver And Devil Dog | Country Surfin' | 1976 | ||
| The Lively Ones | The Great Surf Hits!! | 1963 | Youtube, Spotify | Instrumental. |
| Mike Love | Beach Music Classics | 2016 | Re-recording with Charles Lloyd as producer. | |
| Mike Love | Catch A Wave | 1996 | Re-recording with Adrian Baker. Also appeared on Summertime Cruisin': The Unforgettable Favourites Of Mike Love And Bruce Johnston Of The Beach Boys, although Bruce doesn't seem to appear on the track. | |
| M.O.D. | Surfin' M.O.D. | 1988 | Youtube | Also appeared on the Loved By Thousands... Hated By Millions compilation. |
| Los Mabber's (covered as "Chica Cruel") | Surfin' Con Los Mabber's | 1963 | Youtube, Spotify | Spanish surf cover, literally translates to "Cruel Girl". |
| McRackins | Amp Records Battle Royale | 2000 | Pop punk cover. | |
| Melopea | Surfin USA single | 1987 | Youtube | Spanish surf/garage cover, released as a single in Spain. |
| Melt-Banana (covered as "Surfin USA-You're Welcome") | Smiling Pets | 1998 | Youtube | Noise rock cover of "Surfin' U.S.A" and "You're Welcome". |
| Mi-Ke (covered as " サーフィン・U.S.A.") | 太陽の下のサーフィン・Japan | 1992 | Japanese cover. | |
| Miami University Marching Band | Miami Marching Band 85-86 | 1986 | ||
| The Midas Touch (covered as "Beach Boys Medley") | The Midas Touch | Medley of "I Get Around"/"Barbara Ann"/"409"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"Fun, Fun, Fun". | ||
| The Millionaires | Personally Yours... | Medley of "Barbara Ann", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Fun, Fun, Fun". | ||
| MiniStars (covered as "Ti Xau") | É demais! | 1991 | ||
| Fred Mollin And The Blue Sea Band | Disney's Beach Party - Surf Sound | 2006 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover. Co-produced by Mark Linnett and features Darian Sahanaja and Jeff Foskett on backing vocals. Introduction by Goofy. |
| Billy Mure's Supersonic Guitars | Teen Bossa Nova | 1963 | Youtube | Instrumental. |
| Neat | Established Aim Monsters | 2000 | ||
| La Onda Vaselina (covered as "México A Bailar") | Dulces Para Ti | 1991 | Youtube, Spotify | Pop cover with Spanish lyrics. |
| One (covered as "Beach Boy's Medley") | Live "One" - Recorded Live At Joe's Fish Market And Saloon | Live medley of "Surfin' U.S.A."/"In My Room"/"I Get Around". | ||
| Original Cast Recording | Good Rockin' Tonite! | 1992 | Youtube, Spotify | Original London Cast recording, medley of "Surfin' U.S.A.", "Fun, Fun, Fun", "I Get Around" and Johnny B. Goode. |
| Out Of The Blue [Oxford] | Cut Loose | 2017 | Other | A cappella medley of "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Fun, Fun, Fun". |
| P.K. And The Sound Explosion | The Beach Boys Songbook | 1977 | ||
| P.P.M. | Punk Rock Sucks EP | 2001 | Youtube | Bonus track. Punk version. |
| Papa Doo Run Run | California Project | 1985 | Youtube | Straightforward cover. |
| Penny Arcade | Introducing... Penny Arcade | 1978 | ||
| Pennywise | MOM: Music For Our Mother Ocean | 1996 | Youtube, Spotify | Punk cover. |
| The Phantoms | Big Beat Hits | 1967 | Youtube, Spotify | |
| Pickin' On | Pickin' On The Beach Boys: A Bluegrass Tribute | 2004 | Bluegrass instrumental | |
| Rämouns | Rockaway Beach Boys | 2009 | Youtube, Spotify | Punk cover, in the style of the Ramones. |
| Jussi Raittinen (covered as "Koko Suomi Surffaa") | Rockin' 50 | 1993 | Finnish lyrics by Jussi Raittinen. | |
| Rudi Ramba Und Seine Party Tiger (covered as "Swingin' Rock'n Roll (Potpourri)") | 1985 | Medley of "Surfin' USA"/"Champagne Oder Selters"/"Computerliebe"/"Sloop John B. (Das Girl Von Laramie)"/"Let It Swing (Let Det Swinge)". | ||
| The Raving Savages | Everybody Surf! With The Surfin' Savages EP | 1963 | Released as the Surfin' USA EP in Spain. | |
| Red Squares | People Get Ready | 1998 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover version. Live version appears on the Live + 3 album (Spotify, Youtube). |
| Tony Rizzi & Pacific! | Surfin' Pacific With Tony Rizzi | 1982 | ||
| Rod And The Cobras | Drag Race At Surf City | 1964 | ||
| Rosewood (covered as "Beach Boys Medley") | Rosewood | 1979 | Medley of "Surfin' Safari", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Fun, Fun, Fun". | |
| The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (covered as "(Just For Fun...) All Surf!") | Symphonic Sounds: Music Of The Beach Boys | 1998 | Orchestral medley of "Catch A Wave"/"Surfin' Safari"/"Surf City"/"Hawaii/"Surfin' U.S.A.". Arranged by Bob Alcivar, produced by Bruce Johnston and Adrian Baker. | |
| Bobby Rydell | Wild (Wood) Days | 1963 | Youtube, Spotify | A doo-wop cover. |
| Die Schlapse (covered as "Surfen Auf Dem Schlapensee") | Party, Party! | Spotify | German children's electropop cover. | |
| Die Schlapse (covered as "Surfin' Auf'm Baggersee") | Schlapsen Sommer Hit Party | Youtube | German cover. | |
| Die Schlapse (covered as "Mix 4") | Schlapsen Hitmix | Medley of "Surfin' Auf'm Baggersee" ("Surfin' U.S.A.")/"Cotton Balls"/"Inline Scates" ("Love Message")/"Wir Sind Die Schlapsenband". | ||
| Die Schlapse (covered as "Hitmix-Medley") | Sommerparty | Spotify | Medley of "Hilf Mir Sonja" ("Help Me, Rhonda")/"Eine Insel Nur Für Schlapse" ("Eine Insel Mit Zwei Bergen")/"Surfin' Auf Dem Schlapsensee" ("Surfin' U.S.A.")/"Hitzefrei" ("Coco Jamboo")/"Der Traumpschlaps" ("Beautiful Dreamer"). | |
| Sea Cruise (covered as "Beach Boys Medley") | Sea Cruise | 1978 | Youtube | 12 minute disco medley, consisting of "Dance, Dance, Dance"/"Do You Wanna Dance"/"Surfin' U.S.A."/"I Get Around"/"Wendy"/"Help Me, Rhonda"/"Surfer Girl"/"Fun, Fun, Fun"/"Good Vibrations"/"Little Honda"/"Shut Down"/"Little Deuce Coupe"/"California Girls"/"Summer Finale". |
| Sexbomba (covered as "Mariola Walczy W Kisielu") | Historia Jakiej Nie Znał Świat | 2001 | Youtube | Polish punk cover. |
| The Shakers | Rockin' On A Saturday Night | 1979 | ||
| Silver Stars | 12 Superventas | 1978 | ||
| The Smurfs (covered as "Surfen Auf Dem Schlumpfensee") | Fette Fete!, Vol. 7 | 1998 | Youtube | In German. |
| The Smurfs (covered as "De Smurfen Gaan Naar Zee") | Fiësta | 1998 | Youtube | Dutch, literally translates as "The Smurf Goes To The Sea". |
| Spatzen-Quartett Regensburg | Showtime | 2011 | Youtube, Spotify | Vocal performance, with a lead singer who sounds a bit like Kermit The Frog. |
| Squares | Here We Go Again | 1975 | Youtube, Spotify | Straightforward cover. |
| Stone Revival Band (covered as "Disco To The 50's Medley Part 1") | Disco To The 50's single | 1978 | Disco medley of "Intro" / "Blueberry Hill" / "Long Tall Sally" / "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" / "Good Golly, Miss Molly" / "Surfin' U.S.A." / "Rip It Up" / "Bye Bye Love" / "Peggy Sue" / "The Wanderer". | |
| Die Strandjungs (covered as "Surfen Auf'm Baggersee") | Sommer, Sonne... Strandjungs | 1985 | Youtube, Spotify | Released as a single in Germany, where it reached #54. German lyrics by Guntmar Feuerstein. |
| Die Strandjungs (covered as "Medley 1984 - 1985") | Strandgold | Youtube, Spotify | Medley of the Strandjung's versions of "Surfin' U.S.A." / "I Get Around" / "Fun, Fun, Fun" / "Barbara Ann". | |
| The Surf City Allstars | Scrapbook | 2002 | Live versions appear on 2006 album Live In Concert (Spotify, Youtube) and 2014 album Live In Concert (Spotify, Youtube). | |
| Surf City Sounds | Surf City Sounds | 1981 | ||
| Surf Punks (covered as "Surf's Up Medley") | Surf's Up Medley single | 1981 | Youtube | Medley of "Surf City" / "Surfin' U.S.A." / "Help Me, Rhonda" / "Wouldn't It Be Nice" / "California Girls" / "Pipeline" / "Catch A Wave" / "I Get Around" / "Surfer Girl". |
| The Surfbreakers | Beach Boys Salute | 1981 | ||
| The Surfers | Sounds Like The Beach Boys | 1974 | ||
| The Surphonics | Let It Beat | 2000 | Youtube, Spotify | Rather straightforward cover. |
| Suzie & The Seniors | Bring Back The Beat | 2008 | Straightforward, with female vocalist. | |
| Billy Synth And The Turn Ups | Go "Off The Deep End" | 1980 | ||
| Teddy & The Tigers | Boppin' | 1978 | Youtube, Spotify | A live version appeared on their 2008 Dancing Shoes album (Youtube). |
| Takeshi Terauchi & Blue Jeans (covered as "サーフィン U.S.A.") | 真夏の海をぶっとばせ!! 寺内タケシとすばらしいエレキŵ | 1972 | Youtube | Instrumental, with the guitar taking the vocal lines. |
| Those Left Behind | Horror Classics And Other Tributes To The Darkside | 2011 | Youtube, Spotify | Death metal cover. |
| The Tides | Surf City / Surfin' USA And Other Surfin' Favorites | 1963 | ||
| Time Pools | Beach Boys Gone Country | 2007 | Youtube, Spotify | Instrumental country cover. |
| The Top Ten Allstars | Little Honda single | 1967 | ||
| Travoltas | From Travoltas With Love | 2003 | Live recording. | |
| Unknown | Homage To The Beach Boys | |||
| The Vamps | Last Night single | 2014 | Youtube | A fairly straightforward cover. |
| Chris White | Mouth Music | 1976 | ||
| Brian Wilson | The Bridge School Concerts: 25th Anniversary Edition | 2011 | Youtube, Spotify | Recorded live in 1999. |
| Xuxa (covered as "Surf É O Que Eu Sei") | Carnaval Dos Baixinhos | 1988 | Youtube | With Portuguese lyrics by R. Ladeira / R. Lly / Kadu Moliterno / Andre de Biase. |