The Beach Boys recorded a myriad of songs, instrumentals, and alternate versions of tracks that have never been officially released. Only recordings that have been reliably confirmed to have existed are listed here. Some of these tracks circulate on bootlegs, but many of the tapes have been lost since their creation.

This list is ordered chronologically, by recording date, and does not include non-substantial rehearsal tapes or jam sessions recorded by the group. Live recordings are included if there is no studio equivalent. Some tracks listed under certain album subheaders may not have been recorded for that particular album, but are listed as such simply to note the band's then-current album project at the time of recording.

Key

White denotes an unreleased alternate or early version of a released track
Pink denotes a recording that has been reported lost, missing, or out of circulation
Cyan denotes a recording that has been confirmed to still exist
No color denotes a recording that lacks sources on this article to support whether it still exists or not

1962–1968

Surfin' SafariParty! (1962–1965)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Beginning of the End" Brian Wilson, Roger Christian, Gary Usher[1] April 16, 1962[2]
  • Lead vocals by Usher, backing vocals by Brian, instrumentation by the Beach Boys.[2]
"My Only Alibi" (also known as "Human")[2] B. Wilson, Usher[2]
"One Way Road to Love"
"Visions" (also known as "Number One")[1]
"Recreation" B. Wilson, Bob Norberg, Cheryl Pomeroy[1] September 4, 1962[3]
  • Recorded at the same session as "The Revo-Lution", "Number One", and "Humpty Dumpty".[3]
"Pink Champagne" Al Jardine[4] February 1963[1]
"Chopsticks Boogie" B. Wilson, Jan Berry[1] c. April–June 1963[1] Does not appear
"Rockin' Roadster" B. Wilson, Christian[1] c. June–September 1963[1] Does not appear
"Malibu Sunset" B. Wilson, Usher, Christian[1] c. May–August 1963[1] Does not appear
"Hot Harp" B. Wilson[1] August 5, 1963[6]
  • Produced by Brian for the Survivors, a group consisting of Bob Norberg and his friends Rich Arlarian and Dave Nowlen.[6]
  • Instrumental.[1]
"Witch Stand"
  • Produced by Brian for the Survivors.[6]
  • Lead vocal by Nowlen.[1]
"Girlie"
  • Produced by Brian for the Survivors.[6]
  • Features Mike Love's sister Maureen on harp.[6]
"A Joy Ride Cruise" August 1963[1] Does not appear
"Sandy Baby" B. Wilson, Russ Titelman[1] 1964[1]
"Boys Will Be Boys" B. Wilson[1] January 1964[1]
  • No vocals recorded.[1]
"What'll I Wear to School Today?" B. Wilson, Christian[7]
Close

Pet Sounds20/20 (1965–1968)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"How Deep Is the Ocean?" Irving Berlin October 15, 1965[8] Does not appear
"Stella by Starlight" Victor Young Does not appear
"Heroes and Villains" B. Wilson, Van Dyke Parks c. 1966–1967
  • Missing tapes, presumed lost or erased.[11] These include the reels for sessions held on May 11, December 13, December 19, and December 28, 1966,[11] as well as January 20, January 31, February 24, February 26, and March 15, 1967.[12]
"Look" B. Wilson October 13, 1966[11]
  • A version with vocals.[1]
  • Missing tape, presumed lost or erased.[11]
"I'm in Great Shape" B. Wilson, Parks October 17, 1966[11]
  • Missing tape, presumed lost or erased.[11]
"Surf's Up" January 23, 1967[12]
"Crack the Whip" B. Wilson[1] c. February–March 1967[13]
  • Produced by Brian for photographer Jasper Dailey.[13]
"When I Get Mad (I Just Play My Drums)"
"Tones" C. Wilson March 13 – April 13, 1967[12]
  • A version with vocals.[12]
  • Missing, presumed lost or erased.[12]
"On Top of Old Smoky" traditional April 11, 1967[1]
"Good Time Mama" B. Wilson (uncertain)[1] June 25–26, 1967[15]
  • In 2007, Alan Boyd stated that a tape with the label "Good Time Mama" could not be found in the band's archives.[16]
"Sunflower Maiden" B. Wilson, Parks[17] 1967
"Tale of Man" Dennis Wilson, Stephen Kalinich[1] 1968[1] Does not appear
Close

1969–1972

SunflowerSurf's Up (1969–1971)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Song to God" B. Wilson[18] Does not appear
  • Reported to have existed by Stanley Shapiro, a friend of the Beach Boys that had written songs with Dennis. Dennis had asked engineer Stephen Desper to set up the tape on a reel-to-reel before Brian ripped it off the playback and yelled "Don't you ever touch that again! That's between me and God!"[18]
  • Asked in 2016, Desper wrote on a message board, "Never did Dennis and I hear such a song, nor did Brian come barreling into the studio." He described Shapiro's recollection as "replete with imagined gestures and simply put not true."[19]
  • As of 2014, the tape has not surfaced.[18]
"What Can the Matter Be" Un­known[1] February 24 – May 24, 1969[1] Does not appear
"Raspberries, Strawberries" Will Holt November 11, 1969[20]
"Symphony of Frogs" Does not appear June 1970[21]
  • Produced by Brian for Kalinich.[21]
"A Day in the Life of a Tree" B. Wilson, Rieley Does not appear
  • A version with Dennis on lead vocals.[22]
  • As of 2014, the tape has not surfaced.[22]
Close

"So Tough"Holland (1971–1972)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Silly Walls" B. Wilson, David Sandler[1] November 1971[1]
"Change Partners" Stephen Stills[1] December 1971[1] Does not appear
"Beatrice from Baltimore" B. Wilson, Tandyn Almer[24] December 6, 1971 – January 31, 1972[1]
"Burlesque" B. Wilson, Jack Rieley[18] 1972[1]
  • A lyric is "Tantalation and hot glowing skin/Sun's 'bout to rest."[18]
  • Possibly Brian on lead vocal.[1]
  • As of 2014, no tape has surfaced.[18]
"Slow Song" D. Wilson[1] Does not appear
"Is Jack Rieley Really Superman?" B. Wilson[1]
  • According to journalist Ben Edmonds, Brian wrote the song as a satire on Jack Rieley, who falsely claimed to have won a Pulitzer Prize.[26]
  • As of 2014, no tape has surfaced.[18]
"Funky Fever" B. Wilson, Sandler[1] February 28, 1972[1] Does not appear
Close

1973–1975

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" B. Wilson, Kalinich Does not appear
  • Version with Carl and Dennis on lead vocals.[18]
"Brian's Jam" Traditional[1] March 2, 1973[1]
"Dr. Tom" Jardine[1] March 12, 1973[27]
  • Adaptation of the folk standard "Tom Dooley", with Jardine singing a partial vocal.[27]
"Canyon Summer" Jardine[28] May 1973[1]
  • Copyrighted by Jardine on May 29, 1973.[28]
  • Jingle written for the Coppertone sun-tan lotion company.[28]
"Pattycake" B. Wilson[1] c. June–September 1973[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Honeycomb" Bob Merrill[1] 1974[1]
"Miller Drive" D. Wilson, Gerry Beckley[1] Does not appear
"Dennis' Symphony" D. Wilson[1] February 22, 1974[1] Does not appear
"Clangin'" B. Wilson[1] March 2, 1974 – c. September 1976[1]
  • Incorporates variation of "Shortenin' Bread"/"Ding Dang" riff.[18]
  • Early version of "Ding Dang".[31]
  • Evolved into the coda of "Fantasy Is Reality/Bells Of Madness."
  • According to Alan Boyd, "sounds an awful lot like 'I'm The Pied Piper,' except Brian has overdubbed himslef [sic] a couple of times singing 'Clangin' clangin', dingin' a dangin' and-a clangin' clangin'....' over and over and over again. And again. And again."[32]
"String Bass Song" D. Wilson[1] March 5, 1974[1]
"Just an Imitation" B. Wilson[1] c. May–September 1974[18]
  • Written about Murry, who died one year earlier.[18][28]
  • As of 2014, no tape has surfaced.[18]
  • May feature Brian on lead vocal.[1]
"Why Don't You Try Me?" Un­known[1] c. May–September 1974[1] Does not appear
"Earthquake Time" Love[1] c. October–November 1974[1] Does not appear
"Brian's Tune"
(also known as "Rollin' Up to Heaven",[32] "Hard Times", or "Hard Time"[34])
B. Wilson[34]
B. Wilson, Roger McGuinn[1]
(depending on sources)
November 1974[1]
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" William Steffe, Julia Ward Howe November 5, 1974[1]
"You're Riding High On the Music" B. Wilson, Kalinich[1] December 1974[1] Does not appear
"Don't Let Me Go" C. Wilson, Love[1] Does not appear
"Our Life, Our Love, Our Land" Love[1] Does not appear
"Don't Want Much, Just A Country Or Two, Maybe A Planet Before It's Through" D. Wilson, Kalinich[1] 1975[1] Does not appear
"Helen Keller" Does not appear
"Marble Sittin' On A Kitchen Table" Does not appear
"Our Love Remains" Does not appear
"Grateful Are We for Little Children" B. Wilson, Kalinich[1]
"Slow Blues" D. Wilson, Gregg Jakobson[1] February 12, 1975[1] Does not appear
"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" Peter Cetera, James Pankow May–June 1975[1]
  • Chicago song performed live, with lead vocals by Love and James Pankow.[1]
"Carl's Song" C. Wilson[1] c. September–December 1975[1]
"Come to the Sunshine" Parks October 1975[1]
  • Intended for inclusion on the Beach Boys' next album (which became 15 Big Ones) but left off due to a dispute.[38]
  • As of 2004, the recording could not be located in the band's tape library.[39]
Close

1976–1977

15 Big OnesLove You (1976)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Life Symphony" D. Wilson, Kalinich[1] 1976[1]
  • According to Badman, "a series of poems reflecting life from childhood to death."[40]
"11th Bar Blues" B. Wilson[1] 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.
"Gold Rush" Jardine[1] January 30–May 15, 1976[1]
"Lisa" Love[1] January 30-May 15, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"Secret Love" Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster[1] January 30-May 15, 1976[1]
"On Broadway" Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller March 3, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Jardine.[1]
  • Later intended for release on Adult/Child in 1977 before that album was cancelled.
"Mony Mony" Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell, Bobby Bloom[1] March 15, 1976[1]
"Runnin' Bear" J.P. Richardson[1] April 13–14, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"Shake, Rattle & Roll" Big Joe Turner April 14, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Jardine.[1]
"Michael Row the Boat Ashore" Traditional April 16–29, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"Let's Dance" Jim Lee April 27, 1976[1] Does not appear
"Short Skirts" B. Wilson[1] May 8, 1976[1]
  • No lead vocal recorded.[1]
"Marilyn Rovell" B. Wilson[1] August 21, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Lazy Lizzie" c. September–November 1976[1]
"We Gotta Groove"
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"That Special Feeling"
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Little Children"
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
  • Rerecorded by Brian and released on Brian Wilson (1988).
"Ruby Baby" Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller September 1 – October 2, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
  • A recording of the song from the Party! sessions was released on Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys.[citation needed]
"Hey There Momma"[41] B. Wilson[1] October 27, 1976[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
Close

Adult/Child (1977)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Deep Purple" Peter DeRose, May Singhi February 25 – March 11, 1977[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Everybody Wants to Live" B. Wilson[1] February – March 1977[1]
  • Lead vocals by Brian and Carl.[1]
"It's Trying to Say"
  • Lead vocal by Dennis.[1]
"New England Waltz" March 1977[1]
  • Instrumental.[1]
"Life is for the Living" March 11, 1977[1]
  • Lead vocals by Brian and Carl.[1]
"Lines" April 12, 1977[1]
"Gimme Some Lovin'" Winwood June 23, 1977[1]
  • Different from 1972 version.[1]
Close

1977–1980

M.I.U. AlbumL.A. (Light Album) (1977–1979)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Mike, Come Back to L.A." B. Wilson[1] October–November 1977[1]
"Xmas Carol Medley" Does not appear
  • Christmas medley featuring the Beach Boys and their children singing as a group. The songs are "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".[1]
"How's About a Little Bit of Your Sweet Lovin'?" B. Wilson, Love, Diane Rovell, Ron Altbach[1] November 15, 1977 – November 29, 1979[1]
"Beach Burlesque" Un­known[1] November 17, 1977[1]
  • M.I.U. Album outtake.[18]
  • May be the same song as "Burlesque".[18]
"Go and Get That Girl" Ed Tuleja, Altbach[1] November 17–21, 1977[1]
"Alone on Christmas Day" Love, Altbach November 17–23, 1977[1][44]
"Egypt" B. Wilson (uncertain)[1] November 18, 1977[1] Does not appear
"Sad, Sad Christmas" Love[1] November 23, 1977[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"TM Siddhi Program" Love[1] November 1977[1] Does not appear
"10,000 Years" D. Wilson, Love (uncertain)[1] c. 1977–1978[1] Does not appear
"It Could Be Anything" (also known as "Where We Are") C. Wilson[1] February 11, 1978[1] Does not appear
"I Really Love You" B. Wilson April 21, 1978[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Ride Arabian, Ride" Jardine[1] May 11, 1978[1]
  • Instrumental.[1]
"Rubles" Jardine[1] May 11, 1978[1]
  • Lead vocal by Jardine.[1]
"Basketball Rock" B. Wilson[1] May 13, 1978[1]
  • Instrumental.[1]
"Bowling"
"Lookin' Down The Coast/Monterey" Jardine[1] July 27, 1978[1]
"Calendar Girl" Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield Late 1978[1]
  • Lead vocals by Love.[1]
"I'm Begging You Please" B. Wilson[1] c. June – October 6, 1978[1]
  • Piano/vocal demo; lead vocal by Brian.[1]
  • A basic track was recorded. In 2008, Alan Boyd could not confirm if vocals were also tracked.[46]
"Drip Drop" Leiber, Stoller October 19, 1978[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
Close

Keepin' the Summer Alive (1979–1980)

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"California Beach" Jardine, Love[1] Spring 1979[1]
"Skatetown U.S.A."
  • Reworking of "California Beach".[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"Little Girl" Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry
  • Lead vocal by Carl.[1]
  • Intended for Keepin' the Summer Alive, it was cut at a refurbished Western Studio 3 with Brian as producer. "Little Girl" was later adapted into an original song and renamed "Sunshine" , as Bruce Johnston explains: "Well, 'Sunshine' was originally called 'Little Girl'. And I can't remember who recorded it, probably a Phil Spector record, and so we cut this track and then we decided to write a new song to the track, so we took part of the old song, 'Smoky Places', and whatever Mike and Brian came up with, recorded on the existing track, didn't have enough room because the song was too short, so we tape-copied the track a few times, put 21 splices in the 24-track tape and stretched the song out and came up with 'Sunshine'."[43]
"Jamaica Farewell" Harry Belafonte July 23, 1979[1]
  • No vocal was recorded.[1]
  • Not to be confused with a version by California Music, recorded in 1976 with Brian on organ.[43]
  • As above, "Jamaica Farewell" was produced by Brian at the refurbished Western 3 studio.[43]
"Stranded in the Jungle" The Jay Hawks July 24, 1979[1]
  • No vocal recorded.[1]
  • As above, "Stranded in the Jungle" was produced by Brian at the refurbished Western 3 studio.[43]
"Johnny B. Goode" Chuck Berry October 15 – November 13, 1979[1]
  • Keepin' the Summer Alive outtake, and one of only two songs from the album's sessions with Dennis drumming.[47]
"Surfer Suzie" Ed Carter[43][1] October 10 – December 14, 1979[1]
  • Lead vocal by Jardine.[1]
  • Keepin' the Summer Alive outtake recorded at Western.[47]
"Smoky Places" The Corsairs (or A. Spector[1]) October 18, 1979[1]
"Boys and Girls" B. Wilson[1] October 19, 1979 – November 18, 1980[1]
  • Keepin' the Summer Alive outtake, recorded at Western.[47]
"I'll Always Love You" Barry Mann[1] November 19, 1979 – January 1980[1]
  • Lead vocal by Carl.[1]
  • Keepin' the Summer Alive outtake.[47]
"Starbaby" Love[1] November 29, 1979[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
  • Keepin' the Summer Alive outtake.[47]
  • A version was released by Celebration on their eponymous second album.[43]
Close

Later recordings

1980s–1990s

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Song Within a Song" B. Wilson ("My Solution"); traditional, arr. B. Wilson ("Shortenin' Bread")[1] May 21, 1980[1]
"River Deep – Mountain High" Greenwich, Barry, Spector[1] July 1980[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Be My Baby" Greenwich, Barry, Spector[1]
"Greenback Dollar" Hoyt Axton, Kennard Ramsey[1] Does not appear
"I'm a Man" B. Wilson[1] Does not appear
"Fly" Un­known[1] October 31, 1980[1] Does not appear
"Up Again" B. Wilson (uncertain)[1] November 18, 1980[1] Does not appear
"Candlesticks" B. Wilson (uncertain)[1] Does not appear
"Oh Lord" B. Wilson[1] January 1981[1][50]
"Stevie" B. Wilson, D. Wilson, Garby Leon[50] (or B. Wilson[1])
"I Ran (All The Way Home)" Un­known[1] Spring 1981[1]
  • Lead vocal by Love.[1]
"Sweetie" B. Wilson[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian, Love, and Jardine.[1]
  • Variation of "Why Don't You Tell Me Why" recorded by Brian during the Cocaine Sessions.
  • Solo demo recorded by Brian in 1986.
  • Evolved into "Love Ya" which was intended for Brian's rejected solo album Sweet Insanity.[36]
  • In 2006, was reported to still exist in the tape vaults.[53]
"The Boogie's Back in Town" B. Wilson[1] November 1983[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
  • Live recording.[1]
"Water Builds Up"[51] Un­known[1] July 1984[51]
"Buzz-Buzz-Buzz" The Hollywood Flames (or Byrd, Gray[1])
  • Live recording.[1]
  • Lead vocal by Jardine.[1]
"Down By The Pier" Un­known[1] June 1984[51] – November 1984[1]
  • Lead vocal by Carl.[1]
"At the Hop" Artie Singer, John Medora, David White[1]
  • Lead vocal by Mike.[1]
"And I Always Will"[51] Jardine October-November 1984[51]
"Rings" B. Wilson[1] Spring 1986[1]
  • Lead vocal by Brian.[1]
"Walking on Water"
"Wouldn't That Be Cool" Un­known[1]
"Heavenly Bodies" B. Wilson, Usher[1] July 17 – August 18, 1986[1]
"The Spirit of Rock and Roll" B. Wilson[1] August 19 – December 11, 1986[54]
"Heavenly Lover" B. Wilson, Andy Paley[1] 1987–88[1]
"Groovin'" Felix Cavaliere, David Brigati[1] Spring 1992[1]
  • Basic track recorded; no vocal recorded.[1]
"Wish" Jardine, Larry Dvoskin[1] May–June 1994;[1] July 7, 1995[1]
  • Lead vocal by Carl.[1]
"Grace of My Heart" B. Wilson, Love[1] March 3, 1995[1]
"It's Not Easy Being Me" B. Wilson, Paley[1] November 7-8, 1995[1]
"Must Be A Miracle" B. Wilson, Paley[1] November 7-8, 1995[1]
"Turn on Your Love Light" B. Wilson, Paley[1] March 3, 1995[1]
  • No vocal recorded.[1]
"Dancin' the Night Away" B. Wilson, Paley[1] November 1995[1]
  • Incomplete vocal.[1]
Close

That's Why God Made the Radio (2011–2012)

A total of 28 songs were written and recorded for the album.[55] Discounting the 2011 rerecording of "Do It Again", only twelve tracks saw release.

More information Song, Writer(s) ...
Song Writer(s) Recording date(s) Additional notes
"Waves of Love" Jardine, Larry Dvoskin Does not appear
"I'd Go Anywhere" B. Wilson, Joe Thomas[1] Does not appear
  • Song intended to bridge the tracks "Strange World" and "From There to Back Again". It was left unfinished.[57]
"She Believes in Love Again" Bruce Johnston 2012[58] Does not appear
Close

Formerly unreleased songs

For historical interest, the following is a list of studio outtakes and live recordings that later appeared on Beach Boys compilation albums. It is partially adapted from Andrew Doe[59] and Phillip Lambert.[60]

Some of these releases are currently out of print. California Feeling 2 was a limited-edition CD offered with a 2015 issue of Endless Summer Quarterly, an unofficial Beach Boys fan/collector's magazine. Misc Tracks 1971 and 1972 Release were among several releases (the others not being listed here), most of which were briefly offered online (commonly through Bandcamp, YouTube, and/or AllMusic) and then quickly taken down, to preserve copyright under the 2013 European Union copyright extension legislation.

References

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