The Beach Boys have been performing this great song for the better part of forty years, and for all that time, and the changes in line-up and arrangements the song still holds up, Whaddaya think?

Here’s the original release from 20/20 (1968). BTW, that unique sound in the intro isn’t a fuzz guitar or keyboard, it’s Dennis Wilson’s drumbeat highly compressed and distorted to sound all fuzzy. Awesome.

And an earlier version that was never released. I really like Brian’s falsetto and the grungy Carl Wilson lead. A little more primitive sounding than what was eventually released, but I think it has a lot more soul.

Here’s what it sounded like in the early ’70s, with Daryl “The Captain” (of Captain and Tennille fame) Dragon on keyboards, no less! Notice Dennis Wilson is on vocals, not behind the drums. After injuring his hand in an accident while drunk (that was Dennis!) he was replaced on drums by Ricky Fataar.

Here’s a 1980 version featuring a very solid Dennis Wilson backing beat. No one could pound the skins like Dennis could.

Here’s the studio version of their 50th anniversary “comeback” in 2012.

…aaaand, finally, here’s the live version they played during their 50th anniversary tour. Note the distinct four-bar break they added between the final verse and chorus. It’s very powerful and nicely done. I absolutely adore it.

Years may come and years may go, but it just goes to show you can’t keep a great song down.