Best Beach Boys Guitar Songs to Learn

You’ll get rhythm tips, strumming patterns, and an inside look at the chord progressions that brought The Beach Boys’ signature harmonies to life.

Whether you're jamming solo or bringing summer vibes to your next beach fire, these lessons are designed to help you master the timeless surf-rock sound.

Barbara Ann is the raucous hit from the 1965 acoustic album Beach Boys' Party!. Released as a single, it shot to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

While it sounds like a casual jam session, the recording famously features Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean sharing lead vocals with Brian Wilson. The song was actually a cover of a 1961 doo-wop track by The Regents.

At the end of the track, you can hear Carl Wilson say, "Thanks, Dean," acknowledging the uncredited guest star who helped turn this impromptu recording into one of the band's most enduring anthems.

Fun Fun Fun kicks off the 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2. It was a smash hit, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics were inspired by a real-life event involving Dennis Wilson's friend, Shirley Englund, who lied to her father about studying at the library to borrow his Ford Thunderbird for a joyride. Musically, the song is famous for its driving intro, which was heavily influenced by Chuck Berry's guitar style.

It remains one of the quintessential songs about California car culture and teenage rebellion, solidifying the band's image as purveyors of the endless summer.

Hawaii appears on the 1963 album Surfer Girl. While it was not released as a single in the United States, it became a significant fan favorite and was a staple of their early live sets.

The song features a distinct "island" vibe with its ukulele-style guitar strumming and lush vocal harmonies. It gained further prominence when a live version was included on the 1964 chart-topping album Beach Boys Concert.

The lyrics express a longing to escape to the islands, fitting perfectly with the surf-rock aesthetic the band was cultivating during their initial rise to fame.

Help Me Rhonda (often spelled "Help Me, Ronda" on early pressings) is the standout track from the 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s second chart-topper.

Unusually for a Beach Boys single, the lead vocal was handled by guitarist Al Jardine rather than Mike Love or Brian Wilson. There are actually two versions; an earlier, slower recording appeared on The Beach Boys Today!, but Brian Wilson wasn't satisfied with it.

He re-recorded it with a faster tempo and a tighter arrangement, creating the smash hit version we know today.

Kokomo was released in 1988 on the Cocktail movie soundtrack and later on the album Still Cruisin'. It was a miraculous comeback, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—their first chart-topper in 22 years.

Notably, this is the only number-one hit by the band that does not feature Brian Wilson, who was not involved in its production. Written by Mike Love, Scott McKenzie, Terry Melcher, and John Phillips, the lyrics list several tropical locations.

Despite the song’s popularity, "Kokomo" is a fictional island resort name, though it was likely inspired by various real Caribbean spots.

Sloop John B is a masterpiece from the seminal 1966 album Pet Sounds. Released as a single, it performed well, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song is actually a traditional Bahamian folk song that Al Jardine suggested to Brian Wilson. While Wilson initially resisted, he eventually created a dense, baroque-pop arrangement that completely transformed the simple folk tune.

The recording process was incredibly complex, involving over a dozen studio musicians. It stands as one of the few cover songs on Pet Sounds and highlights the sophisticated production style that defined the band's mid-60s era.

Surfer Girl is the title track of the 1963 album Surfer Girl. It reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Brian Wilson wrote the song while driving his car, humming the melody to himself, and it stands as the first song he ever wrote solely by himself.

It is a ballad that showcases the romantic side of the surf lifestyle, heavily influenced by the melody of "When You Wish Upon a Star." Released as the B-side to "Little Deuce Coupe," it proved the band could handle slow, complex harmonies just as well as high-energy rock and roll.

Surfin Safari is the title track of the band's 1962 debut album, Surfin' Safari. It was their first single released on Capitol Records and their first national hit, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song essentially launched the surf music craze in the mainstream. The lyrics list various surfing spots around California, establishing the "geography" of the surf scene for listeners across America.

Interestingly, the song was originally released on a small label called Candix before Capitol picked it up, saving the band from obscurity and launching a legendary career.

Surfin USA opens the 1963 album of the same name. It was a massive hit, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is famous for its melody, which is virtually identical to Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen."

This similarity led to a copyright dispute, and eventually, Chuck Berry was given writing credit on the track. Despite the legal issues, the song is an undeniable classic, transforming the band from regional stars into national icons.

The lyrics, which mention surf spots across the US and Australia, turned surfing into a global phenomenon.