20 Golden Greats (The Beach Boys album)

20 Golden Greats is a 1976 greatest hits album by the Beach Boys that was released in the UK by EMI's newly created TV advertising division.[2] It became the second biggest selling album of the year, spending a total of 86 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and peaking at number one in July 1976, where it remained for 10 weeks.[2][3][4]

20 Golden Greats
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedJune 1976
RecordedJanuary 31, 1963 – April 23, 1969
GenreRock, pop, surf, psychedelia
Length51:40
LabelCapitol
ProducerNick Venet, Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys chronology
Good Vibrations – Best of The Beach Boys
(1975)
20 Golden Greats
(1976)
15 Big Ones
(1976)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]

Track listing

Tracklist corresponds to the original LP release. The 1987 CD reissue has some small differences, most notably the replacement of various Duophonic mixes with mono versions.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."Surfin' U.S.A."Brian Wilson, Chuck BerrySurfin' U.S.A., 19632:28
2."Fun, Fun, Fun"B. Wilson, Mike LoveShut Down Volume 2, 19642:03
3."I Get Around"B. Wilson, LoveAll Summer Long, 19642:13
4."Don't Worry Baby"B. Wilson, Roger ChristianShut Down Volume 2, 19642:48
5."Little Deuce Coupe"B. Wilson, ChristianSurfer Girl, 19631:38
6."When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)"B. Wilson, LoveThe Beach Boys Today!, 19652:03
7."Help Me, Rhonda"B. Wilson, LoveSummer Days (And Summer Nights!!), 19652:46
8."California Girls"B. Wilson, LoveSummer Days (And Summer Nights!!), 19652:38
9."Barbara Ann"Fred FassertBeach Boys' Party!, 19653:06
10."Sloop John B"Trad. Arr. B. Wilson, Al JardinePet Sounds, 19662:56
Total length:24:39
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Year Originally ReleasedLength
1."You're So Good to Me"B. Wilson, LoveSummer Days (And Summer Nights!!), 19652:16
2."God Only Knows"B. Wilson, Tony AsherPet Sounds, 19662:51
3."Wouldn't It Be Nice"B. Wilson, Asher, LovePet Sounds, 19662:22
4."Good Vibrations"B. Wilson, LoveAppeared on Smiley Smile (1967), 19663:36
5."Then I Kissed Her"Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff BarrySummer Days (And Summer Nights!!), 19652:15
6."Heroes and Villains"B. Wilson, Van Dyke ParksSmiley Smile, 19673:37
7."Darlin'"B. Wilson, LoveWild Honey, 19672:12
8."Do It Again" (single version)B. Wilson, LoveAppeared on 20/20 (1969), 19682:19
9."I Can Hear Music"Jeff Barry, Greenwich, Phil Spector20/20, 19692:38
10."Break Away"B. Wilson, Murry Wilsonnon-album single, 19692:55
Total length:27:01

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1976)Position
UK Albums (OCC)[11]2
Chart (1979)Position
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[12]46

Certifications and sales

RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[13]Platinum50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[14]Gold250,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[15]Platinum50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[17]Platinum1,100,000[16]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References