My first exposure to what is now referred to as Carolina Beach Music came during my junior year attending Glenvar High School, located in Roanoke County Virginia.  My class raised 1,700 dollars and hired vocal group the Tams to play at our May 1972 spring prom.

Our prom theme was “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” from the 1968 minor national hit song by the Tams. The vocal group from Atlanta, Georgia was well received by all who attended the Glenvar prom that year.

Obviously, I still have fond memories of the Tams performing at my high school prom and when I graduated from Glenvar in June 1973, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” was played at the graduation ceremony.

With this month’s music blog article, I will be sharing what I consider to be my favorite songs in the Carolina Beach Music category. My top selections will be broken down into separate silos.

I will be having two countdowns in this article. First, will be national Soul/R&B/Pop hits that charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Second, I will list my top 10 favorite regional Carolina Beach Music (CBM) hits from the mid 60s through the early 80s.

One disclaimer: Carolina Beach Music is NOT associated with the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Ventures and/or any other type of California west coast surfing music. “Wipeout” by the Surfaris is a completely different sub-genre of pop-rock music.

Before starting my countdowns, I need to give a brief history about Carolina Beach Music and a dance known as “Carolina Shag”, which is often shortened to “Shag.”  The term (CBM) wasn’t created until the mid 70s and the music began to take shape after World War II ended.

“Shag” dancing is performed with a partner and the dance is done primarily to beach music. According to Wikipedia, “The term “Carolina shag” is thought to have originated along the Atlantic Ocean in Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina during the 1940s.”

Both North Carolina and South Carolina list the “Shag” as their “official dance” within those respective states.

The roots of CBM goes back in the late 40s and early 50s.  The music during the formulative years of this genre blended various types of Rock ‘n Roll, R&B, blues and pop music together.

During the late 50s and early 60s, most CBM songs were recorded by R&B artists and Shag dancing became closely associated with the sub-genre of popular music.

In viewing Britannica Dot Com, it states that WLAC Nashville, Tennessee (1510 AM) was influential in the growth of what came to be known as CBM.  “Radio station WLAC blasted 50,000 watts of varied programming, including plenty of rhythm and blues at night.

Using a directional pattern signal at night, WLAC was heard throughout Southeastern Atlantic coastal states.  DJ John R. attained fame in the 1950s and 1960s for playing rhythm and blues records on WLAC. Depending on night time atmospherics, the station could regularly reach 28 states.”

By the mid 60s, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina became the epicenter for Carolina Beach Music and Shag dancing. Clubs began popping up all along the South Carolina beach coastal towns, in a 60-mile area known as the “Grand Strand.”

 Soon after, CBM and Shag dance clubs started springing up and down other Atlantic Southeastern Seaboard shore towns, from Virginia Beach, Virginia down to Southern Georgia.  Some venues also opened up in Northern Florida coastal communities.

For a more detailed look for the history of CBM and Shag dancing, I would encourage you to search the Internet. An interesting article from Beach Music Awards Dot Com can be found here.

Another excellent source for CBM can be found at Born in the Carolinas Dot Com and Junkin Oldies Dot Com by John Hook

There are two eras of Carolina Beach Music:  Classic and Modern.  The “Classic” period is defined from the late 50s until early 80s, while the “Modern” sounds of CBM stretch from the mid 80s until today.

An example of the “Modern” sound of CBM is “Over the Rainbow” by Band of Oz. My friend Chris Keaton from Vinton, Virginia, composed an award-winning rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the CBM group Band of Oz and he was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2016 for his achievement.

Currently, there are 13 full time CBM radio stations in the United States:  8 in North Carolina, 4 in South Carolina and 1 in Florida. Another source to hear CBM 24/7 is on an app from SiriusXM radio.  Their “Carolina Shag Radio” channel plays nonstop Carolina Beach Music favorites.

One of the radio stations playing CBM full-time is 94.9 The Surf in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Below is a listing of this station’s Top 10 Best “Classic” CBM songs of all-time:

#1        Ms. Grace–The Tymes

#2        Carolina Girls–Chairmen of The Board

#3        I Love Beach Music–The Embers

#4        Under the Boardwalk–The Drifters

#5        Summertime’s Calling Me–The Catalinas

#6        60 Minute Man–Billy Ward & His Dominoes

#7        Lady Soul–Temptations

#8        Sand in my Shoes –Steve Jarrell

#9        Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy–The Tams

#10      My Girl –Temptations

For the purposes of this article, my two countdowns of CBM will be from the “Classic” era of the musical genre. Please note: my article is not a definitive ranking of all songs that are found within Carolina Beach Music.

My two separate countdowns of “Classic” CBM are songs that I have selected are all personal favorites for me.  I deem each song to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant. 

As a prelude to my tabulations of outstanding classic CBM tunes, I am listing 12 worthy Soul/R&B/Pop national Billboard Hot 100 hits that fell just outside my dual countdowns. These songs are not ranked, but placed in a random.

Excellent Songs That Didn’t Make Either Countdown:

• Give Me Just a Little More Time—Chairmen of the Board
• Girl Watcher—The O’Kaysions
• Come Get to This—Marvin Gaye
• Hello Stranger—Barbara Lewis
• Use Ta Be My Girl–The O’Jays
• What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am—Bill Deal and the Rhondels

• 39-21-46 Shape—The Showmen
• Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)—The Swingin’ Medallions
• Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie—Jay & the Techniques
• I’ve Been Hurt—Bill Deal & the Rhondels
• Treat Her Like a Lady–Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
• (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher—Jackie Wilson

Without further ado, the first of two Carolina Beach Music countdowns begins now.

My first listing contains national Top 40 charting songs. These were originally Soul/R&B/Pop hit singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. These tunes are now also considered CBM and have been adopted by those who are into Shag dancing.

10.  I Can’t Help Myself—The Four Tops  1965

One of Motown’s biggest singles of the 60s.  Ranked as the second biggest hit of 1965 by Billboard. One of the signature songs by the Four Tops.

9.    But It’s Alright—JJ Jackson  1966 & 1969

This song was a hit on two separate occasions: During 1966 and 1969. JJ Jackson is considered a one hit wonder.

8.    Gimme Little Sign—Brenton Wood   1967  

One of three Top 40 hits for Wood. Co-written by Joe Hooven, Alfred Smith and Brenton Wood. Released during the summer of love in 1967.

7.   With This Ring—The Platters  1967

Vocal group formed in 1952. Had 20 Top 40 hits during their career. “With This Ring” is now considered a classic wedding love song.

6.   Under the Boardwalk—The Drifters  1964

Song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.  Spent 3 weeks at #1 on the Cash Box R&B singles chart and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

5.  More Today Than Yesterday—Spiral Starecase  1969

Band originally from Sacramento, California. This feel-good song is a one hit wonder. Scored their only top 40 song back in the summer of ’69.

4.  Build Me Up Buttercup—The Foundations  1969

British soul band had the 9^th biggest single of 1969 according to Billboard. A popular song this decade. Played at many wedding receptions and sporting events in 2025.

3.  This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)—Isley Brothers  1966

Soul group began as a sibling trio in the late 50s. Song was recorded on Motown’s Tamla label and featured Ronald Isley on lead vocals.

2.  What Does It Take (To Win Your Love for Me)—Jr. Walker & the All Stars  1969

Song was voted Top U.S. Soul Record of 1969. Has an outstanding saxophone solo. One of the biggest singles by Jr. Walker.

1.  My Girl—The Temptations   1965

Signature song by one of Motown Record’s biggest recording artists during the 60s.  I rate “My Girl” as the 5^th best classic wedding song of the 20^th century and #1 best Motown song from the Detroit years of the Motor City record company.

The second countdown is Classic CBM songs that were regional hits in Southeastern Atlantic coastal states from the mid 60s through the early 80s. Some of these songs may have also charted nationally on the Billboard Hot 100 but weren’t major hits throughout the U.S.

10.  You’re More Than a Number in My Little Red Book—The Drifters    1976

The last charting single for the R&B/Soul group actually happened in the U.K.  The Drifters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

9.    Ms. Grace—The Tymes   1974

Soul vocal group are one of the only artists to have just one chart-topping #1 hit in the U.S and the U.K. with different songs: “So In Love” in America & “Ms. Grace” in Great Britain.

8.    Sweet Virginia Breeze—Robbin Thompson & Steve Bassett. 1978

While collaborating in 1978, Richmond artists Steve Bassett and Robbin Thompson wrote “Sweet Virginia Breeze” during a rehearsal for their concert at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2015, this anthem was designated the official popular state song of Virginia.

7.    May I—Bill Deal & the Rhondels  1969

Blue-eyed soul band from Virginia Beach, Virginia. This group covered multiple songs by the Tams. “May I” was originally recorded by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs.

6.    Carolina Girls—General Johnson & the Chairmen of the Board  1980

Within the boundaries of North Carolina and South Carolina, this ode has remained a staple with radio airplay and among residents living in these two southern states.

5.    Ocean Boulevard—Band of Oz. 1982

A prominent band in the CBM genre. The actual Ocean Boulevard is a main highway that runs through Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  In 1997, the group was inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame.

4.    Myrtle Beach Days—The Fantastic Shakers. 1980

Members of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Inducted in 2017.  With Myrtle Beach being the birthplace of Shag clubs playing CBM at those establishments, this song is a favorite for those who reside along the Grand Strand of South Carolina.

3.    Summertime’s Calling Me—The Catalinas   1975

Charlotte, North Carolina CBM band was formed in the late 50s. “Summertime’s Calling Me” is regarded as one of the most influential and favorite beach music songs of all time.

2.   I Love Beach Music—The Embers

Quintessential CBM song. The band was started in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1958. They are one of the longest running beach music bands in the southern U.S. Were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

1.   Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy—The Tams. 1980  

My #1 favorite classic CBM song of all-time is by the Tams.  The vocal group from Atlanta, Georgia formed in 1960 and still performs today, without any original members.

The Tams signature song is peppy, upbeat, full of sunshine and encourages folks to live life without regret. Without a doubt, I rate “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” as the #1 best classic “Carolina Beach Music” song ever made.

That concludes up my countdown of what I consider to be the best classic Carolina Beach Music songs.

I realize that my listing of songs in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective. My countdowns of top CBM performances are based completely upon my personal humble opinions.

If you were creating a similar listing of outstanding Carolina Beach Music songs, your tabulation may be totally different from my selections. There are no right or wrong answers. I welcome your thoughts and comments below.

I want to publicly thank my friend Jerry English of Roanoke who provided information to me for this article. He has been a DJ for hundreds of CBM gigs with Shag dancing over the past 40 years in the Roanoke Valley.

I leave you with the closing lyrics of “I Love Beach Music” written by Jackie Gore and recorded by the Embers.  Rock on!

“I love beach music, Every single day of my life, I love beach music, That old beer drinking music, shagging kind of music like you hear at OD, I’m talking about music by the Townes, the Clovers, the Catalinas, the Embers, I love beach music, You know that I do.”

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