On This Day in 2012, The Beach Boys Return to Billboard’s Top Ten with Their First All-New Album in 20 Years, Extending a 49-Year Chart Streak
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A Long-Awaited Comeback
On June 13, 2012, The Beach Boys made a surprising return to the top of the music charts. Their album ‘That’s Why God Made the Radio’ debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. It was their first album of all-new material in 20 years, since the release of Summer in Paradise in 1992. Fans were excited to hear fresh music from the group after such a long break.
The album featured the core surviving members of the classic Beach Boys lineup, including Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks. It was also part of their 50th anniversary reunion tour, bringing the band back together after years apart.
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Chart Success Spanning Decades
With this album, The Beach Boys extended a chart achievement that few artists can match. Their Top Ten appearance in 2012 came exactly 49 years and one week after they first entered the Top Ten with Surfin’ U.S.A., which charted the week of June 15, 1963. That long stretch put them in rare company among artists with lasting success.
The success of That’s Why God Made the Radio proved that the band still had a strong following, even decades after their peak in the 1960s. For many fans, the album was a reminder of the group’s signature vocal harmonies and sunny California sound.
READ MORE: Beach Boys Legend Brian Wilson Passes Away at 82
The Title Track and Reception
The lead single, “That’s Why God Made the Radio,” was praised for sounding both new and nostalgic. It stayed true to the band’s roots while offering a more mature, reflective tone. Critics said it brought back memories of their earlier work, without sounding outdated. The song helped bring attention to the full album and introduced the band to a younger audience.
Brian Wilson, who had returned to contribute new music, was credited for shaping much of the album’s emotional depth. The final track, “Summer’s Gone,” was especially noted for its quiet and thoughtful message. Many listeners felt it served as a fitting end to the band’s recording career.
A Milestone in Music History
The Beach Boys’ achievement in 2012 showed how a group from the early days of rock could still make an impact in modern times. Their return to the Top Ten wasn’t just a look back at the past — it was a sign that their music could still matter to fans, old and new.
“That’s Why God Made the Radio” became more than just a reunion record. It added another chapter to the band’s long history and reminded everyone why their music had lasted nearly half a century.
