JULY 19th – A VERY SPECIAL DAY

You probably won’t find this holiday printed in any of your store-bought daytimers, but today is International Woodie Wagon Day. There was a time back in the 1960s, when surfing was the rage from coast to coast, when the phrase “woodie wagon” would have been redundant. Every surfer or surfer wannabe who could swing it drove to the beach with their boards and gear in a wood-paneled station wagon known only as a "woodie." But as I pointed out in yesterday’s post, new words are added to the language all the time, and that also includes new meaning for old words. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

When I think about famous vintage songs that mention woodies, I think of The Big Three: The Beach Boys “Surfer Girl” and “Surfin’ Safari,” and one from that other famous blond surfer duo, Jan and Dean – “Surf City.” Then more recently, when I was researching for my Papa Do Run book, I discovered that The Angels also recorded a song that includes mention of that popular vehicle, titled (You Can’t Take) My Boyfriend’s Woody.” I meant what I said; I am not going there!

I’m certain there are other songs from the vintage era that I should be mentioning. More than likely there are some by the Beach Boys, but I confess, even though I have quite a few of their CDs, I don’t know every song on every one of them like I should. So, if there’s anybody out there who is a Beach Boys expert, or can think of any other songs we should include here, by all means, let’s hear from you. Meanwhile, here’s a musical tribute to one of the coolest rides in history.

“Surfer Girl” – A real sweet ballad from the Boys.

“Surf City” – Here’s Jan and Dean doing two things they did best, sing and goof around.

And finally, here’s My Boyfriend’s Woody. No comment.



Woodie photo borrowed from Serious Wheels