'California Gurls' versus 'California Girls': Brian Wilson, Mike Love chime in on Katy Perry's hit single* [UPDATED]
The runaway hit single of the still-young summer of 2010 is Katy Perry's bubbly "California Gurls." More than just a bouncy ode to sun and fun in the Southland, it's something of a long-delayed female take on the same theme famously celebrated 45 years ago in the Beach Boys' "California Girls."
Perry bypasses the region-hopping comparisons that the Beach Boys founders Brian Wilson and Mike Love engaged in for their song, but both salute the ongoing appeal of the sight of beautiful women in bikinis on a beach near the surf.
So I put the question out to Wilson: What do you think of this variation on your theme, and are you flattered or infuriated by it?
"I love her vocal," the Beach Boys' creative mastermind said Monday through his manager. "She sounds very clear and energetic."
UPDATE on July 21 at 4:17 p.m.: Mike Love also has become a Perry fan.
“I think she’s really clever,” Love said Wednesday, reached at his hotel in Medford, Ore., where the Beach Boys were performing that night. “We have a lot in common now: We both have done songs called ‘California Girls’ and we’ve both kissed girls and liked it.”
Perry’s song, he said, “obviously brings to mind our ‘California Girls,’ it’s just in a different vernacular, a different way of appreciating the same things. The Beach Boys have always accentuated the positive, and hers is a positive message about California Girls, so what’s not to like?”
Wilson also liked the version that includes a guest rap by Snoop Dogg that makes a nod to the original.
"The melody is infectious, and I'm flattered that Snoop Dogg used our lyric on the tag," Wilson noted. "I wish them well with this cut."
Little wishing appears to be necessary. "California Gurls" just completed a run of six weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and has sold more than 2.6 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, with the vast majority being digital downloads.
Perry's musical homage has done so well that the obvious follow-up for the Santa Barbara-born singer might just have to be "Gud Vibrations."
-- Randy Lewis
Left photo: Brian Wilson poolside at his home in 2008: Credit: Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times
Right photo: Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg. Credit: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
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Katy Perry sucks.
Love you Brian!!
Posted by: Smilleee | July 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Actually, no she does not suck "Smilleee". :)
GO KATY
Posted by: <3333 | July 20, 2010 at 01:27 PM
As a native California Girl I absolutely love both songs. I always turn the volume up for both. Beach Boys & Katy P. Rock!
Posted by: Marley | July 20, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Love 'em both. Why the hate?
Posted by: Rocco | July 20, 2010 at 08:43 PM
This song is what it is = A very, very, very bubblegum pop song. People will forget this song was ever made three months from now.
Posted by: gmoney1 | July 22, 2010 at 08:07 AM
the 'uhh,ohhh,uhhah,uhhhaaa aa' parts make me cringe. otherwise a unique good 'innocent' song compared to what you mostly hear on pop radio.
Posted by: Richard Long | July 22, 2010 at 08:56 AM
The song is not at all a female take. In fact if you watch the video/hear the complete version you see that the beginning makes quite clear it's Snoop Dog's fantasy, not Katy Perry's.
Posted by: Senator | July 22, 2010 at 10:48 AM
I'm not a fan of hers, but I do like the song. It is, regrettably, infectious!
Posted by: Gaucho420 | July 22, 2010 at 12:18 PM
katy perry touts herself as original and unique however she seems to be in the habit of creating hit singles based off another song's success. first it was i kissed a girl (jill sobule) and now california girls (beach boys)?
katy perry is overrated. it's a shame that her and the beach boys are even mentioned in the same breath.
Posted by: brendan | July 22, 2010 at 12:27 PM
What are the chances that anyone remembers Katy Perry in 45 years? Ha!
Posted by: Marvin | July 22, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Mike Love? Really? Why?
Posted by: Dave Keller | July 22, 2010 at 04:12 PM