“409” is a song by The Beach Boys, written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher. It was first released as the B-side of the “Surfin’ Safari” single in 1962, and it became a signature early hit for the band.
The song is a celebration of a car, a 409-cubic inch engine, which was a popular and powerful engine in the early ’60s, especially for street racers. The lyrics, which revolve around the narrator’s admiration for the car, capture the thrill of youth, speed, and American car culture.
Brian Wilson’s vocal arrangement and harmonies, even in the early years of The Beach Boys, were already becoming a defining feature of the band’s sound. “409” is notable for its energetic tempo and upbeat tone, which helped solidify The Beach Boys’ place in the surf rock scene, even though the song is more about cars than surfing.
