Wow...I really can't believe what I'm reading. Gonna start revoking memberships....

Agreed on Surfer Joe, but I don't know if that qualifies as a "classic".

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Well, I think all opinions expressed in this thread are valid - as long as no one is of the opinion that Pipeline is overrated.

But seriously, here's another vote for Let's Go Trippin' as WAY overrated - that was the one that immediately came to my mind when I saw the thread title.

00Diablo
Well, I think all opinions expressed in this thread are valid - as long as no one is of the opinion that Pipeline is overrated.

That would be me. I don't dislike the song really, but I also don't think of the melody is anything special at all. No way do I think Pipeline is good enough for people to be saying things like "best" and "most important" surf song ever. Unless, is there something about the song I've missed?

Well, I agree somewhat that the melody on Pipeline is a bit flat.

But it has a certain atmosphere and texture, and for me, those two things are what I like best about surf music. There's a subtle, steady energy bubbling below the surface on that song that really draws me in.

I didn't realize any video existed of the Chantays performing, WOW! Maybe I'm better off not seeing it, though. Don't want to disturb the primal oceanic images I get in my mind when I hear the song.

to Klas--this has been a really interesting thread to follow. Some intriguing POVs, some really unexpected inclusions, a little overreacting ...

It's kinda making me feel bad for the Surfaris, though--pretty much everyone's ranked on at least one of their songs. (Which isn't to say "Surfer Joe" doesn't deserve it--even the shorter version is a good two minutes too long.)

-Warren

That was excessively violent and completely unnecessary. I loved it.

It has been an eye-opening thread. For me, Pipeline is a classic, a masterpiece. And yes, the Chantays version. Wipeout is everyone's whipping boy, but for what it is, and what it accomplished, it is totally cool by me. Do I want to see some lame-ass pretend surf band perform it? Hell no. But it was a crazy song that a bunch of crazy kids made that helped define the genre.

Surfer Joe...hmmm..I'll listen to it again since Ted was so vehement about it.

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"Lets go trippin'" and "walk don't run" are not on my list of song to learn,but "pipeline" just made the hair on the back of my neck stand up!!! I i'll never forget the 1st time i ever played "wipeout" live..was with a house band at an open mic night in rednecksville, and the girlies shaking their drunk bums to it.. good fun!!

adam

Brian
It has been an eye-opening thread. For me, Pipeline is a classic, a masterpiece. And yes, the Chantays version. Wipeout is everyone's whipping boy, but for what it is, and what it accomplished, it is totally cool by me. Do I want to see some lame-ass pretend surf band perform it? Hell no. But it was a crazy song that a bunch of crazy kids made that helped define the genre.

Surfer Joe...hmmm..I'll listen to it again since Ted was so vehement about it.

Well I don't know if I was vehement... but I do like corny music. But taken as a whole, if I'm listening to the Surfaris (and not the Challengers standing in for them) and Surfer Joe comes on, I won't skip it. Hey, I like Let's Go Trippin too.

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skeeter
Man, this thread is disturbing to me.

Me too. I'm hard pressed to name an over-rated "classic".

Church Key actually pre-dates surf IMHO. A lot of surf bands covered it though.

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I find comments dissing Pipeline & Wipeout rather amazing considering the fact they were both written by kids still in high school and where both songs went on the charts. Over rated? Those 2 songs fueled the surf music craze. If you surveyed the general public, I think those woudl be the 2 most mentioned songs among those with any awareness of surf music.

The only song I ever saw played twice in a show I have attended was Pipeline. The Breakaways unleased a killer coper at one of the HB shows. When they did some requests at the end of the show, everyone wanted Pipeline again. Outerwave has a fantastic cover of Pipeline. It's a time warp.

What the one song that always gets the people on their feet dancing? Wipeout..... Every time..... I remember being on this floating bar as a kid at the Colorado River. Foxes Pierpoint Landing. They were blasting Wipeout over & over on the jukebox. Boats were pulling up, people were jumping out & dancing. So many people in fact the bar started to sink under the weight of the people. parts of the dance floor were awash. Wipeout played on. Over rated? Not a chance.