Little Deuce Coupe

Little Deuce Coupe is The Beach Boys' fourth album, and third overall LP release in 1963. Almost unintentional, the album was only rush-recorded and compiled when leader Brian Wilson sought to protect his band.

Related Topics:
The Beach Boys - 1963 - Brian Wilson

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the summer of 1963, Capitol Records compiled a "hot rod" compilation album called Shut Down, including The Beach Boys' "Shut Down" itself and "409" - without their approval or involvement. Brian Wilson promptly readied several songs he had already been working on (mainly with radio DJ Roger Christian) and the band zipped through recording sessions to put Little Deuce Coupe on the record shop racks, remarkably, one month after Surfer Girl had come out. Eight of the tracks were new, while "Little Deuce Coupe", "Our Car Club", "Shut Down" and "409" had all come out on their last three albums.

Related Topics:
Capitol Records - Roger Christian - Surfer Girl

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although it was a gamble putting so much vinyl out at once, Little Deuce Coupe became a big hit, reaching #4 in the US, and eventually going platinum. Because it mostly deals with cars as a subject matter (save "Be True To Your School", although even that has a mention of cruising), some observers have retroactively called Little Deuce Coupe an early example of what would become known as the concept album.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although Nick Venet was listed as producer for "409" and "Shut Down", the official producer's credit for the entire Little Deuce Coupe album cites only Brian Wilson.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For an album recorded so quickly, the quality was amazingly high. In particular, Brian Wilson's songs and their arrangements were becoming more and more dazzling and complex, specifically "No-Go Showboat" and "Custom Machine".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After its recording, Brian Wilson re-recorded "Be True To Your School" for single release, resulting in another Top 10 hit. An original x-mas single, "Little Saint Nick" was also prepared.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is the last Beach Boys album rhythm guitarist David Marks was involved with. Original member Al Jardine made his permanent return preceding this album's sessions, and Marks departed shortly thereafter.

Related Topics:
David Marks - Al Jardine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A "Little Deuce Coupe" is actually a 1932 Ford Coupe (the "deuce" being the year it was released). This was the definitive hot-rod, and featured a Ford flathead V8 engine. Inexpensive and relatively simple in design, it was easy to modify. A "pink slip" is the car's title.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~