"Susie Cincinnati" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys that was recorded during the sessions for their 1970 album Sunflower. It was written by Al Jardine about a female cab driver from Ohio.
Background
Al Jardine stated in a 2022 interview, "'Susie Cincinnati' is kind of a jab at The Beatles, a 'Drive My Car' kind of thing, I enjoyed that. There wasn’t so much a rivalry with The Beatles, more of an appreciation. With Brian it might have been competition but myself, I enjoyed their work a lot."
Recording
"Susie Cincinnati" was recorded at the Beach Boys' Bel Air studio on December 24, 1969 and January 7, 1970. The automobile sound effects were recorded on February 2, 1970.
Release
The song was first issued in February 1970 as the B-side of the "Add Some Music to Your Day" single, and then again in December 1974 as the B-side of the "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" single. In 1976, it was included as a track on the album 15 Big Ones. Brian Wilson included it on the LP "because it's a good song", although Dennis Wilson felt that it was a "silly piece of shit".
Personnel
Per liner notes.