Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the original group comprised singer-musician-composer and bandleader Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a temporary replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to pursue a career in dentistry.
On their first few studio albums, the group primarily played surf music, but this changed after 1964 as their songs became more sophisticated and autobiographical. The 1965 album Today! particularly represented this shift in sound. Bruce Johnston joined the group that same year. Session drummer Hal Blaine is quoted: "We all studied in conservatories; we were trained musicians. We thought it was a fluke at first, but then we realized Brian was writing these incredible songs. This was not just a young kid writing about high school and surfing."
Following their most esteemed work, Pet Sounds (1966), the band became symbols of psychedelic counterculture. The highly anticipated follow-up, Smile, was left unfinished, and Brian soon relinquished his creative hold on the group. A trilogy of lo-fi releases followed: Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), and Friends (1968). Brian would not be credited as a primary composer for any Beach Boys album until 1977's Love You, an album on the fringe of synth-pop, new wave, and punk.
In Brian's absence, the Beach Boys still managed to release music that was regarded favorably by fans and critics despite poor sales: Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971). South African musicians Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar played and sang with the band on the next two albums: Carl & the Passions - So Tough (1972), and Holland (1973).
Many changes in both musical style and personnel have occurred in their sometimes-stormy career: Brian Wilson's mental illness and drug addiction; the deaths of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998; and continuing legal battles among surviving members of the group. With the release of 1974's Endless Summer they became a more popular touring act, playing their greatest hits. They have recorded 36 Billboard Top 40 hits (including four number-one singles), have had over 100 million sales, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Official site: http://www.thebeachboys.com
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What?
I saw mommy kissing santa claus. that's right.
Oh no.
They were listening to music, and their voices were low,
And he looks a lot like someone that you and i both know!
Who?
Well, i saw santa rockin' round the christmas tree
They filled up the socks,
But before he could go
They started to kiss.
Santa just couldn't go.
Well, i saw mama help santa decorate the tree
With little bitty presents and candy canes for you and me
He started to leave...
Mm!
Then he turned around.
I made a noise.
I was sure to be found!
Well, i saw mama kissin' santa 'neath the mistletoe
Yeah, and he looked like someone i thought you oughta know
The Beach Boys's song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is a playful take on the classic Christmas tune "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." The lyrics detail a child's discovery of their mother kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe, with the child seeing everything and even trying to keep Santa from leaving. The child is left questioning their mother's faithfulness to their father, as Santa Claus appears to resemble someone the child and Adam both know. The song captures the innocent curiosity and wonder of childhood during the magical holiday season.
The song is a lively and upbeat take on the original Christmas song, giving it a rock and roll twist. The Beach Boys add their signature harmonies and poppy sound to create an energetic and catchy tune. The song's lyrics were originally written by Tommie Connor, who also penned the original "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" in 1952. This later version by The Beach Boys was released in 1964 as part of their Christmas album "The Beach Boys' Christmas Album."
Line by Line Meaning
Hey adam, you'll never guess what i saw last night.
The singer wants to share something surprising to Adam.
What?
Adam is curious and wants to know what the singer saw.
I saw mommy kissing santa claus. that's right.
The singer saw the mother kissing someone dressed as Santa Claus.
Oh no.
Adam expresses concern about the situation.
They were listening to music, and their voices were low,
The mother and Santa Claus were enjoying music and talking softly.
And he looks a lot like someone that you and i both know!
The singer hints that Santa Claus resembles someone they both know.
Who?
Adam asks for further clarification about the Santa Claus lookalike.
Well, i saw santa rockin' round the christmas tree
The artist saw Santa Claus dancing around the Christmas tree.
And mama was as close to santa as you are to me
The artist emphasizes how close the mother was to Santa Claus.
They filled up the socks,
The mother and Santa Claus filled up the stockings with presents.
But before he could go
Santa Claus was getting ready to leave.
They started to kiss.
Before Santa Claus left, he and the mother started to kiss again.
Santa just couldn't go.
Santa Claus decided to stay for a while longer because of the mother.
Well, i saw mama help santa decorate the tree
The mother helped Santa Claus decorate the Christmas tree.
With little bitty presents and candy canes for you and me
The presents and candy canes were intended to be for the singer and Adam.
He started to leave...
Santa Claus was finally getting ready to leave.
Mm!
The artist makes a noise to grab Santa Claus' attention before he leaves.
Then he turned around.
Santa Claus turns around to see who made the noise.
I was sure to be found!
The singer reveals that they were the one making the noise and they were caught.
Well, i saw mama kissin' santa 'neath the mistletoe
The artist saw the mother and Santa Claus kissing under the mistletoe.
Yeah, and he looked like someone i thought you oughta know
The artist reiterates that Santa Claus looked like someone Adam should know.
Lyrics © ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Kokomo
This song is an absolute classic and I love the way that it lists all the major destinations in the Caribbean.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfin' U.S.A.
A great song by The Beach Boys hit all the major surfing destinations.
Philip Kassabian
on Catch a Wave
This song really gets you in the mood for surfing.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfer Girl
What a splendid song by The Beach Boys. They really were a great band.
Philip Kassabian
on Wouldn't It Be Nice
One of the greatest Beach Boys songs.
Les lumb
on Surf's Up
Love Good Vibrations ,God Only Knows however this is my fav Beach Boys song
Les lumb
on San Miguel
It captures the mood of the place, very atmospheric
Les lumb
on Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) [Single Version]
Great version by the Beach Boys it flows
Les lumb
on Break Away
Soothing
Leslie Lumb
on Break Away
Love the opening verses beautiful words