Little Deuce Coupe is the fourth album by American rock band the Beach Boys, and their third album release in 1963. It reached number four in the United States during a 46-week chart stay, and was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA. It is considered to be one of the earliest examples of a rockconcept album. The album was released three weeks after Surfer Girl. Four of the tracks from Little Deuce Coupe had already appeared on previous albums, and discounting an alternate recording of "Be True to Your School", no tracks from the album were issued as an A-sided single.
Background
In the summer of 1963, Capitol Records compiled a "hot rod" compilation album called Shut Down, including the Beach Boys' song of the same name and "409"—without their approval or involvement. Brian Wilson promptly readied several songs he had already been working on and the band hastily went through recording sessions to put Little Deuce Coupeon 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 one of their previous three albums.
Production
Although Nick Venet was listed as producer for "Shut Down" and Murry Wilson for "409", the official producer's credit for the entire Little Deuce Coupe album cites only Brian Wilson. Despite the rushed nature of the album's sessions, Brian Wilson's song arrangements were notably becoming more complex, specifically songs like "No-Go Showboat" and "Custom Machine". After its recording, Brian Wilson re-recorded "Be True to Your School" for single release on October 28, resulting in another top 10 hit. An original Christmas-themed composition, "Little Saint Nick" was also recorded that month and issued as a Christmas single. This was the last Beach Boys album to officially include rhythm guitaristDavid Marks until 2012's That's Why God Made the Radio. Both Marks and original member Al Jardine returned for the album's sessions as well as The Beach Boys' 50th Reunion Tour, though Marks, Jardine, and Brian Wilson were not invited to play with The Beach Boys later in the year. As with the preceding Surfer Girl album, the date assigned for recording all eight of the new tracks is highly doubtful. However, as no AFM contracts from these sessions are known to exist, the actual dates are currently unknown.
A Deuce Coupe is a 1932 Ford Coupe. This was considered by many to be the definitive "hot rod". The Model B had four cylinders and the Model 18 featured the Ford flathead V8 engine when the car was introduced. A pink slip was the title to the car, named for the color of the paper then used in California The picture featured on the front cover of the album was supplied by Hot Rod magazine, and features the body of hot-rod owner Clarence 'Chili' Catallo and his own customized three-window 1932 Ford Coupe – known to hot rod enthusiasts as "the lil' deuce coupe".
Reception
Track listing
Some reissues of the album omit "Car Crazy Cutie" and "Custom Machine".
Because "409" was only available in mono, a Duophonic mix was used on the otherwise true stereo version of the album. Both stereo and mono mixes are available on the 2012 CD.
