The instrumental has been cited as one forerunner to the type of arrangements Brian Wilson would later experiment with on Pet Sounds the following year.[2] It has since been covered by several artists with new, original lyrics – including by Wilson himself.
Cash Box described the single as an "easy-going laconic instrumental."[3]
Recording
"Summer Means New Love" was recorded over two dates. The primary instrumental track was recorded on May 12, at an unknown studio, with the guitar overdubbed at a June 1 session at CBS Columbia Square.[4]
The track was first released in 1965 in mono on the band's album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) . On August 29, 2006, Capitol released the 40th Anniversary version of Pet Sounds with a 5.1 mix of Summer Means New Love being assembled for the first time. In 2012, the first stereo mix of the track was released on a reissue of Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!).
References
^Badman, Keith. The Beach Boys. The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band: On Stage and in the Studio Backbeat Books, San Francisco, California, 2004. ISBN0-87930-818-4 p. 96
^Hickey, Andrew (2011). The Beach Boys On CD vol 1: 1961 - 1969.