Amusement Parks U.S.A.
| "Amusement Parks U.S.A." | |
|---|---|
The 1965 Japanese single release of the song
|
|
| Single by The Beach Boys | |
| from the album Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!) | |
| B-side | "The Rocking Surfer" |
| Released | July 5, 1965 |
| Recorded | April 14 & May 5, 1965 |
| Genre | Sunshine pop, Surf rock |
| Length | 2:29 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Writer(s) | Brian Wilson/Mike Love |
| Producer(s) | Brian Wilson |
"Amusement Parks U.S.A." is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1965 album Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!). Sung by Love and produced by Wilson, the narrator in its lyric sings about "mess[ing] around at the [amusement] park all day." A short section featuring Hal Blaine imitating a carnival barker is also featured.
Alternate releases
"Amusement Parks U.S.A." was released as the B-side to "Salt Lake City" on a promotional single.[1] It was also released as a single in Japan, backed with "The Rocking Surfer."[2] The song was omitted from the 1980s re-release of Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!) (retitled California Girls), along with "I'm Bugged at My Ol' Man."
Critical opinion
AllMusic critic Richie Unterberger described the track as a "subpar effort" and as one of the "throwbacks to the empty-headed summer filler of previous days" on Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!).[3] Author Jim Fuselli called the track a throwback "to the group's happy-go-lucky days."[4]
Personnel
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- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine - vocals
- Mike Love - lead vocal
- Brian Wilson - piano, lead vocal, laughter
- Carl Wilson - vocals
- Dennis Wilson - vocals
- Session musicians and production staff
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- Charles Berghofer - upright bass
- Hal Blaine - drums, carnival barker
- Jerry Cole - bass guitar
- Steve Douglas - tenor saxophone
- Carol Kaye - bass guitar
- Jay Migliori - baritone saxophone
- Leon Russell - organ
- Billy Strange - guitar
- Julius Wechter - vibraphone
References
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