A-side "Surfin' Safari" Format Vinyl Length 1:59 | Released June 4, 1962 Genre Hot rod rock, car song | |
Recorded April 19, 1962
Western Studios | ||
"409" is a song written by Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Gary Usher for the American rock and roll band the Beach Boys. The song features Love singing lead vocals. It was originally released as the B-side of the single "Surfin' Safari" (1962). It was later released on their 1962 album, Surfin' Safari and appeared again on their 1963 album, Little Deuce Coupe.
Contents
The song is credited for initiating the hot rod music craze of the 1960s.
Composition
"409" was inspired by Gary Usher's obsession with hot rods. Its title refers to an automobile fitted with Chevrolet's 409-cubic-inch-displacement "big block" V8 engine. The song's narrator concludes with the description "My four speed, dual-quad, positraction four-oh-nine." This version of the engine - at 409hp, achieving 1hp per cubic inch - featured twin "D" series Carter AFB (Aluminum Four Barrel) carburetors ("dual-quads"). It was offered in new vehicles (Impala SS ["Super Sport"]; Bel Air SS; Biscayne SS) and as replacement units in the 1962 model year.
The group's treatment of this song, one of their first major releases recorded April 1962 (released June 4), reflects the influence of black R&B acts popular on Los Angeles radio stations at the time and shows a more raw approach to rock and roll than their much more polished releases continuing in 1963. It stayed one week on the 'Billboard' Hot Hundred at number 76 in October 1962.