Amusement Parks U.S.A.
"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.
| "Amusement Parks U.S.A." | |
|---|---|
 The 1965 Japanese single release of the song | |
| Song by The Beach Boys | |
| from the album Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!) | |
| Released | July 5, 1965 |
| Recorded | April 14 – May 5, 1965 |
| Length | 2:29 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Brian Wilson, Mike Love |
| Producer(s) | Brian Wilson |
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," after also describing the album that it first appeared on as lacking "a coherent lyrical theme."[4]
Personnel
Personnel sourced from Craig Slowinski.[5]
The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – harmony and backing vocals
- Mike Love – lead and bass vocals
- Brian Wilson – lead, harmony, and backing vocals, grand piano, laughter
- Carl Wilson – harmony and backing vocals
- Dennis Wilson – harmony and backing vocals
Session musicians and production staff
- Charles Berghofer – upright bass
- Hal Blaine – drums, castanets, tambourine, carnival barker
- Carol Kaye – bass guitar
- Jerry Cole – 6-string bass guitar
- Steve Douglas – tenor saxophone
- Jay Migliori – baritone saxophone
- Leon Russell – Hammond B-3 organ
- Billy Strange – 12-string guitar
- Julius Wechter – vibraphone
References
- "The Beach Boys 1960s U.S. promos". beachboys45.nl.
- "The Beach Boys Japanese singles 1964-1965". beachboys45.nl.
- Unterberger, Richie. "Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!)". allmusic.com.
- Fuselli, Jim. The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds.
- Slowinski, Craig. "Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)". Retrieved April 8, 2019.
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