Chuck Berry claimed that the melody to “Surfin’ USA” was his after it became a hit. According to Brian Wilson in his book Wouldn’t it be Nice: My Own Story, his brother Mury handed the copyright over to Chuck Berry without Brian’s knowledge.

Although Brian has written defenses of the song’s originality, I find the the two clips below remarkably similar. The rhythm, structure, melody, lyrics & vocal cadence of Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen” is heard all over again in “Surfin’ USA”.

Comment on the parts you think sound alike.