Little Deuce Coupe
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Little Deuce Coupe, considered the first example of a concept album in rock music, was released by the Beach Boys on October 7, 1963, and reached #4 in Billboard's Top 100. It was the group's fourth album. The group's label, Capitol Records, had never had faith in the surfing theme that had fueled the group's early days, and they insisted that the group record songs about cars. Four of the songs were originally on previous albums: "409," from their debut Surfin' Safari (1962); "Shut Down," the b-side to the title track of Surfin' USA (1963), on which the song appeared; the title track to this album and "Our Car Club", which were originally on this album's immediate predecessor Surfer Girl (1963). Apparently, Capitol was not satisfied, as the album following this, Shut Down Volume 2 (1964), featured mostly car songs.
"Be True To Your School" was previously released on a single. This version is different than the one on this album. Note that the same error perpetuates from the debut album of "409" having been recorded nine days after it was released as a single.
Produced by Brian Wilson and Nik Venet.
Track Listing
Track 1: "Little Deuce Coupe" (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love
- Released as single: Monday July 22nd 1963
- Peak US Chart Position: #7
- Backed with: “Surfer Girl”
- Recorded: Wednesday June 12th 1963
Track 2: "Ballad Of Ole' Betsy" (B. Wilson/Christian)
- Lead vocal: Brian Wilson
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 3: "Be True To Your School" (B. Wilson/Mike Love)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 4: "Car Crazy Cutie" (B. Wilson/Christian)
- Lead vocal: Brian Wilson
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 5: "Cherry, Cherry Coupe" (B. Wilson/Christian)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 6: "409" (B. Wilson/Love/Gary Usher)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love
- Released as single: Monday June 4th 1962
- Peak US Chart Position: #76
- B-side of: "Surfin' Safari"
- Recorded: Wednesday June 13th 1962
Track 7: "Shut Down" (B. Wilson/Christian)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love
- Released as single: Monday March 4th 1963
- Peak US Chart Position: #23
- B-side of: Surfin' USA
- Recorded: Thursday January 31st 1963
Track 8: "Spirit Of America" (B. Wilson/Christian)
- Lead vocal: Brian Wilson
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 9: "Our Car Club" (B. Wilson/Love)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love and Brian Wilson
- Recorded: Tuesday July 16th 1963
Track 10: "No-Go Showboat" (B. Wilson/Christian)
- Lead vocal: Brian Wilson and Mike Love
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 11: "A Young Man Is Gone" (Bobby Troup)
- Lead vocal: Group
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963
Track 12: "Custom Machine" (B. Wilson/Love)
- Lead vocal: Mike Love
- Recorded: Monday September 2nd 1963