Inspiration Behind Wipe Out:
The Surfaris were searching for a B side song to go with their A side song Surfer Joe. Back when songs were released on a 45 Record, the B side wasn’t meant to overshadow the main attraction. During a recording session in Cucamonga, California, band members begin to visualize ideas for an instrumental. Wipe Out began with a crackling song to mimic a breaking surfboard from an epic wave that engulfs a surfer.
Biblical Application:
Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; 16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes, Proverbs 24:15-16.
Exegesis Behind this Instrumental:
The Surfaris were trying to use music to illustrate what is feels like for a surfer to be engulfed by a wave. This epic failure is followed by a manic laugh with the phrase “wipe out”. This southern California surfing term refers to a painful fall from a board. Wipe Out was simply meant to be a jam session. However, this twelve bar blues structure and driving rhythm makes you feel as if you are at the beach watching surfers trying to catch the next big wave. The final touch for Wipe Out was an energetic drummer solo inspired by a sped up marching band cadence from Ron Wilson.
Final Thoughts:
Since this is my only instrumental planned, I wanted to add what happened to turn a jam session into one of the more popular B side hits in the 45 era. Although I have never surfed before, I enjoy boogie boarding and body surfing. At my age, surfing likely isn’t in my future. Yet, I do know what it feels like to be engulfed by a giant wave on a boogie board. I have seen and experienced plenty of wipe outs.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 