Surfin’ Santa by Lord Douglas Byron: A Retro Rock Gem That Still Rides the Waves
Alright, let’s talk about Surfin’ Santa by Lord Douglas Byron. Released back in ’64, this little slice of surf rock heaven came out when bell-bottoms were still cool (yeah, I said it) and the beach was basically everyone’s second home. With its laid-back vibes and twangy guitar riffs, this album feels like a sun-soaked road trip down California’s coast—minus the traffic jams.
The record was put out by Dot Records, and while it might not have been the biggest hit of the decade, it definitely deserves a spot on your retro playlist. Let’s dive into a couple tracks that really stood out to me.
First up: “The Drink That Makes You Shrink.” Man, what a title, right? It’s quirky as heck, like something you’d hear at a tiki bar where everyone’s wearing Hawaiian shirts two sizes too big. The song has this playful energy with bouncy rhythms and guitars that sound like they’re dripping with sea salt. What sticks with me is how fun it feels—it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly what makes it memorable. Plus, who wouldn’t want to know more about a drink that supposedly shrinks ya? Is it magic? Science? Either way, count me in.
Then there’s “Surfin’ Santa,” the titular track that kinda sums up the whole vibe of the album. Imagine Santa swapping his sleigh for a surfboard and cruising down the coastline, bringing holiday cheer to all the beach bums. There’s something undeniably charming about the mix of Christmas spirit and surf-rock swagger. The melody rides along smoothly, like waves lapping at the shore, and before you know it, you’re humming along. Honestly, if Hallmark made a movie based on this song, I’d watch it… maybe even twice.
What I love most about Surfin’ Santa is how unapologetically itself it is. It doesn’t try to be some deep philosophical masterpiece; instead, it just wants to make you smile and tap your feet. And honestly, sometimes that’s all we need.
So here’s my random thought to leave you with: If Lord Douglas Byron were alive today, do you think he’d trade his guitar picks for TikTok trends? Nah, probably not—he seems more like the kind of guy who’d stick to his roots. But hey, who knows? Maybe “The Drink That Makes You Shrink” would go viral after all. Cheers to that!
