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409 (song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = 409
| cover = 409_-_The_Beach_Boys.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = the Beach Boys
| album = Surfin' Safari' and 'Little Deuce Coupe
| A-side = Surfin' Safari
| released = June 4, 1962
| recorded = April 19, 1962
| studio = Western Studios, Los Angeles, California
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 1:59
| label = Capitol
| writer =
| producer = Murry Wilson
| prev_title = Surfin'
| prev_year = 1961
| next_title = Ten Little Indians
| next_year = 1962
}}
"'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).[http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4567 Profile at Songfacts] It was later released on their 1962 album 'Surfin' Safari', and appeared again on their 1963 album 'Little Deuce Coupe'.
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 409 hp, achieving 1 hp 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; Biscayne) and as replacement units in the 1962 model year.
It stayed one week on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, at number 76, in October 1962.[https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-beach-boys/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100 - The Beach Boys 409 Chart History], 'Billboard.com'. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
Personnel
*Mike Love lead vocals
*David Marks rhythm guitar, background vocals
*Brian Wilson bass guitar, background vocals
*Carl Wilson lead guitar, background vocals
*Dennis Wilson drums, background vocals
References
Category:1962 singles
Category:The Beach Boys songs
Category:Songs written by Brian Wilson
Category:Songs written by Mike Love
Category:Songs written by Gary Usher
Category:Songs about cars
Category:Song recordings produced by Murry Wilson
Category:1962 songs
Category:Capitol Records singles
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