The verdict
Cleared After Dispute
After Chuck Berry threatened action over the melody of his “Sweet Little Sixteen,” the dispute resolved via a full credit transfer giving Berry sole songwriting credit. A poignant documented detail: Brian Wilson’s father Murry made that decision unilaterally, and Brian reportedly didn’t learn for 25 years that he wasn’t credited for his own lyrics (reported).
Quick Facts
Released1963
AlbumSurfin’ U.S.A.
GenreSurf Rock, Rock And Roll, Pop
LabelCapitol Records
ProducerNik Venet / Brian Wilson
Recorded atCapitol Studios, Hollywood
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Chuck Berry (sole credit, per the settlement)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Brian Wilson — Wrote the lyrics; credit transferred to Berry by his father unilaterally
Anne Hodgson → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Resolved via a full credit transfer to Chuck Berry after he threatened action; connects to “Come Together” (this batch) as the other Chuck Berry-derived dispute.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Both are Chuck Berry-derived disputes (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Chuck Berry (sole credit for music and lyrics, per the eventual settlement)
A poignant credit transfer — made without the songwriter’s knowledgeThe original 1963 pressing listed Brian Wilson as sole composer, with no credit to Berry. When Berry became aware and threatened legal action over the clear melodic similarity, it was Brian’s own father and the band’s manager, Murry Wilson, who unilaterally decided to give Berry full, sole songwriting and composer credit — without even informing his own son. Brian Wilson reportedly didn’t discover for 25 years that he wasn’t credited as a co-writer of his own lyrics.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A real historical context worth noting
Some later commentary has connected this episode to the broader racial context of the Civil Rights era, when many record executives reportedly looked past the Beach Boys’ clear infringement given prevailing industry attitudes.
Anne Hodgson · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
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Times sampled
Resolved by transferring full credit to Chuck Berry
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
SU
Chuck Berry (per settlement)
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 23)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass