Six radical songs

about biking and surfing

as the Dew Tour

stops in Ocean City

 

Now that the summer solstice has passed, the town events are getting bigger and bigger every week! A couple of weeks ago, we had a variety of aircrafts zipping through our skies, but the only thing gliding in the air this weekend will be world famous extreme sports athletes doing crazy tricks during the 2014 Dew Tour. Ocean City is a destination of the nationwide tour once again and this weekend is looking to be one of the most fun happenings of the summer! As usual, I would like to share with you all six of my favorite songs about biking and surfing (because I don’t know any songs about skateboarding, sorry!) in recognition of the action packed competitions to be held this weekend.

“It’s a Beautiful Day”

By: The Beach Boys

Off the album: Americathon (1979)

If you’re a real Beach Boys fan, you’re probably yelling at me because The Beach Boys don’t have an album called Americathon. And you’re right; Americathon is the name of a late 70s comedy movie with a great cast including John Ritter, Fred Willard and Harvey Korman. The story takes place in a then-future 1998, where the United States has run out of oil and thus its citizens must use means of transportations other than motor vehicles such as bicycles and rollerskating. The Beach Boys’ song, which was written for the movie’s soundtrack, is about a beautiful day in Los Angeles, where everyone is riding their bike.

“Let’s Go Trippin’”

By: Dick Dale and the Del-Tones

Off the album: Surfers’ Choice (1962)

Once again, I’m cheating a little bit by including a surf rock song instead of a song that’s actually about surfing. But I think this can count considering its legendary significance. This is known as the first surf rock instrumental ever recorded and it is on the debut album of Dick Dale and the Del-Tones. Although Dick Dale’s most famous song is his rendition of “Misirlou” (which also appears on this album under the title of “Misirlou Twist”), it was recorded a year after “Let’s Go Trippin’.” 

“Bike”

By: Pink Floyd

Off the album: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

While we’re on the subject of debut albums, this is a taste of what early Pink Floyd sounded like. I encourage everyone to pull this song up online as soon as possible and bask in what could have been if Syd Barrett was still the frontman of this band. Yes; this really is Pink Floyd. Yes; I would also like to know what they were on at the time. Before the time of David Gilmour, it was not rare to hear sound effects in songs like this such as clocks, bells, gears and an oscillator. 

“Surf Wax America”

By: Weezer

Off the album: Weezer (The Blue Album) (1994)

On this album, many of the songs are about frontman Rivers Cuomo’s past life experiences. Being that this is a song about a day in the life of your average American surfer, I can bet Cuomo would jump at the chance at attending the surfing competition if he could. “Surf Wax America” is one of only two songs on the entire album where Cuomo doesn’t receive sole writing credit on the song, as drummer Patrick Wilson was given credit as well (the other song being “My Name is Jonas,” which is credited to Cuomo, Wilson and original Weezer member Jason Cropper, who came up with the song’s name).

“Bicycle Race” 

By: Queen

Off the album: Jazz (1978)

Forever linked with the song “Fat Bottom Girls,” there are a few interesting ways the legendary Freddie Mercury connected the two tunes. The most in-your-face connection is the lyric in “Bicycle Race” that says “fat bottom girls they’ll be riding today.” One such fat bottom girl is displayed on the cover of “Bicycle Races” single, of which “Fat Bottom Girls” is the B-side. And if you thought the music video of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” was raunchy, just check out this one! Edited or simply banned in several countries, it consisted of 65 female professional models bike racing…in the nude. My favorite fun fact about this song is that the band used a bike rental company to provide all of the models with a mode of transportation, but when the company found out what the bikes were being used for, they demanded the band purchase all 65 bike seats.

”Surfin’ U.S.A.”

By: The Beach Boys

Off the album: Surfin’ U.S.A. (1963)

Ladies and gentlemen, you are witnessing history in Nate Sounds Off. Never before has a band been mentioned twice in one article, until now! I usually don’t like to include a band more than once per article, but given the subject matter for this week, it’s a surprise The Beach Boys don’t dominate this list! Although the lyrics are by frontman Brian Wilson, the melody is actually the same as rock and roll legend Chuck Berry’s song “Sweet Little Sixteen.” The names mentioned throughout the song are actually real surf spots around the world. While some areas are located in Hawaii or Australia, the large majority said here are beaches in California, from where the band originates.