what is the deal with Sidewalk Surfin

[jdman]

First of all, I love what Jan did with this song. It's a great production and an improvement on the BB album cut. But with that said, it was barely a Top 25 record and it plays on oldies stations about as much as Surf City and Little Old Lady. It plays more than DMC. which is crazy! It plays much more than Drag City and Honolulu lulu, which are Top 10 songs.

So what's the deal? Why so much attention for a song that was barely top 25 and Jan and Dean's 10th biggest hit?

[1Jay1]

sidewalk surfin was on ride the wild surf and little old lady albums.,  Even though screen gems inc didnt want the same song repeated. Maybe thats why sales wasn t high. 

[Spazzatron]

The thing that gets me is, since the song is a rewrite of Catch a Wave shouldn't the credits read "Wilson-Love-Berry-Christian" as Mike co-wrote the original lyrics?  I realize there are personal and legal issues as to why it wasn't credited that way but as one of the original composers his name rightly belongs on it, too.

[1Jay1]

As i m aware. Jan didnt write it. He asked roger to add new words to catch a wave with a skateboard theme. Maybe mike wasnt credited as brian wrote the music, its the same with folk city. Why no brian credit, its a rework of surfcity, 

[Surfermike]

Since skateboarding is still a big craze these days, I thought maybe these skateboard kids would get a kick out of a song about their favorite sport. Maybe that's why it's played allot? Probably not. They don't care about music that's over 50 years old. I remember during the second boom (1975) when skateboarding came back in full blast, I would open the doors to my van and blast my 8 track tape with J&D and skate around the parking lot. Don't think anyone is doing that today. Lets be glad that song is being played at all. Hope they keep playing Jan & Dean forever. Mike Love most likely helped with the lyrics since Brian wasn't too familiar with surfing terms when he wrote Catch a Wave. I would love to hear Skateboard Surfin' USA by Jan on the radio since I like that better than Sidewalk Surfin'.

[Surf Route 101]

  "Sidewalk Surfin'" is one of the best J&D singles.  The only reason "Honolulu Lulu" did better is because it was the follow up to a Number One smash - the world was waiting for it.

[jdman]

I think Honolulu Lulu was very deserving of a top 10 hit. The production is really strong. Of course, Sidewalk Surfin was strong as well

[1Jay1]

how long did it take jan to get the backing track done?