BEACH BOYS - FUN, FUN, FUN

Released: February 3, 1964

Charts:  US: #5 

"Fun, Fun, Fun" is a song from the album “Shut Down Volume 2”. Released as a single in February 1964, it was backed by "Why Do Fools Fall in Love." The song is a classic example of the "California myth" genre, which the Beach Boys helped define—songs that celebrated the carefree, sun-soaked lifestyle associated with California. 

"Fun, Fun, Fun" tells the story of a rebellious daughter who borrows her dad's Ford Thunderbird, claiming she's going to the library, but instead uses it to show off and race other drivers. When her father finds out, he takes the car away, but she gets the last laugh by running off with someone who admired her driving. 

Written by Brian Wilson with lyrics by Mike Love, the song's concept came from Love, who was more in tune with teenage culture. Love suggested writing about a girl cruising instead of studying, and also inspired the Chuck Berry-style guitar intro played by Carl Wilson. Originally, the song was credited solely to Brian Wilson due to issues with publishing rights managed by Murry Wilson, but songwriting credits were adjusted in the 1990s.

Mike Love clarified that there was no specific girl who inspired "Fun, Fun, Fun." He explained that the song was more of a generic story reflecting a common teenage experience. According to Love, most teens, after getting their driver's license, look forward to borrowing the family car to go cruising, sometimes using excuses like going to the library. 

There are two popular stories about the inspiration behind "Fun, Fun, Fun." One version involves a girl that Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson was dating. She was from a wealthy family in Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, and would tell her father that she needed his Ford Thunderbird to go to the library, but instead, she'd spend time with Dennis at his apartment. Dennis reportedly joked, "We'll have fun till her daddy takes the T'bird away," which became the hook for the song.

The second story involves Shirley Johnson England, whose father owned an Utah radio station, KNAK. Shirley claims that she borrowed her dad's Thunderbird and was caught after taking it to a drive-in instead of the library. The Beach Boys, who often made promotional appearances at the station, supposedly heard this story and wrote the song about her. Despite these claims, Mike Love has said that the song was more of a generic story reflecting typical teenage behavior rather than being based on any specific person.