Out on the water, the only soundtrack you have is the ebb and flow of the waves pulsing through your ears. On land, however, you have a little more control over the music that inspires and fuels your surfing. If you're searching for a bit of inspiration, whether your time is spent dreaming of surfing or just relaxing on the beach, we've got a number of suggestions for you! Dick Dale, "Miserlou"You likely recognize this tune from its role in 1994's Pulp Fiction, or its use as a sample in The Black Eyed Peas' "Pump It." But Dale's song, and indeed his whole repertoire, has been iconic enough to earn him the title "King of Surf Rock." Dale and his Del-Tones formed in the early 1950s and played the lion's share of the songs that formed the genre during that time. Though their style evolved to focus more on cars than surfing in the sixties and seventies, Dale returned to it in a solo career later on. Despite advanced age (at the time of publication, Dale was nearly eighty) and a host of medical issues, he continues to tour and delight audiences with distinct guitar licks and liberal use of a whammy bar. The Ventures, "Hawaii Five-O"In addition to giving us one of the most iconic TV theme songs, The Ventures are one of the most popular instrumental rock groups of all time. The song charted in the top five in 1969, although this was far from their only chart success. In fact, they had 37 albums hit the charts between 1960 and 1972―a staggering total even today. Their name was a verbal representation of the genre-hopping they were willing to do to stay inspired, and they proved highly prolific as a result. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, and occasionally still tour with a modified lineup.The Beach Boys, Pet SoundsIt may not have the immediate surf appeal of "Surfin' USA" or "Surfin Safari," but Pet Sounds solidifies the exceptional nature of The Beach Boys as a band. The groundbreaking album from the Beach Boys celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2016, and continues to have an impact on longtime fans and newer listeners alike. The band's eleventh studio release, it features some of their most popular songs, including "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Sloop John B," and "God Only Knows," a song Paul McCartney once deemed the best song ever written. Their breezy, beach-inspired sound captures the energy of the best beach days, and gives you hope for channeling their genius into your time on the water. Weezer, Blue AlbumWhat The Beach Boys did for surf-inspired music in the sixties, Weezer may have done for the nineties. Their Blue Album hit upon surfing themes directly with songs like "Surf Wax America," and even recreated the sock-hop craze that shared a time period with surf films in their video for "Buddy Holly." The gentle but intricate lead guitar work that you hear through the music of the prior artists shows up, courtesy of frontman Rivers Cuomo. Give this album a listen while en route to the beach, or even while cleaning your board after a long day of surfing.Jack's Mannequin, "Holiday from Real"The opening strains of Everything in Transit evokes memories of the beach, with the blowing wind and gentle squawk of seagulls. From there, lead singer and pianist Andrew McMahon launches into this song about spending time with friends near the beach, living a life that feels like a getaway. Those of us who use surfing as a getaway from a hectic or less peaceful life undoubtedly identify with this message. The rest of the album takes an emotional and less escapist trajectory, but its opening song was just made for a carefree trip to the beach. Jack Johnson, "Upside Down"Especially when shredding in the barrel of a roaring wave, the world can feel like it's upside down when we're out on the water. Jack Johnson's quiet twangy "Upside Down" captures that with a combined bounciness and stillness that feels like the right song to play in your head as you catch a wave and prepare to ride it to shore. Especially when you make it to your feet, and the rush of euphoria washes over you, it's easy to think what Jack repeats toward the end of the song: "I don't want this feeling to go away." This is far from a comprehensive list, but we hope it'll get you started in building your playlist. Have suggestions on what to add? Let us know in the comments!
