Imagine a song so cringe-worthy that even a band member called it a 'huge disaster.' That's exactly what happened with The Beach Boys' 'Ten Little Indians,' a track that haunts their early discography like a ghost of mistakes past. But before we dive into this controversial tune, let’s set the stage for the genius behind the band’s rise—the late Brian Wilson. Born with a songwriting gift so extraordinary that even Bob Dylan once quipped, 'He should donate his ear to the Smithsonian,' Wilson’s melodic prowess was unmatched. Yet, even legends stumble, and this is where our story takes a fascinating turn.
In the mid-1960s, The Beach Boys were unstoppable, churning out hits like Pet Sounds that reshaped the music landscape. But their journey wasn’t all sunshine and surfboards. Their debut album, Surfin’ Safari, released when Wilson was just 20, was a raw, 25-minute snapshot of a band still finding its footing. And this is the part most people miss: despite the album’s 12 tracks and the buzz from their debut single ‘Surfin’,’ not everything they produced was gold. Enter ‘Ten Little Indians,’ a song so problematic that it’s now a cautionary tale in their history.
Based on a nursery rhyme, the track not only falls flat musically but also includes the repeated use of the racial slur ‘squaw,’ a term deemed racist by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2021. But here’s where it gets controversial: was this a naive misstep by a young band, or a glaring oversight that should’ve been avoided? Former Beach Boy Al Jardine didn’t hold back in a 2022 interview, labeling the song a ‘huge disaster’ that nearly derailed their career. Though he mixed up the release order—‘Surfin’ Safari’ actually came first—his point stands: the song was a flop, barely charting and risking their hard-earned momentum.
Thankfully, The Beach Boys had enough hits in their arsenal to recover, and Surfin’ Safari did just enough to keep Capitol Records on board. But ‘Ten Little Indians’ remains a stark reminder that even the greatest artists can falter. So, here’s the question for you: Was this song a forgivable mistake of youth, or an inexcusable blunder that should’ve been caught? Let’s debate in the comments!
