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
05 It's Over Now
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't take this emptiness it left inside
It's over now
And though I played the role I lost my soul
It's still within your heart
It's over now
It's over now
The noise outside my window carries on
Like distant bugles love is very gone
It's over now
It took a part of me, the heart of me
To watch it fade away
It's over now
It's over now
Shades of blue and purple haunt me
Heaven
Heaven is far away
Angels no longer play
I need to take this fear and force it down
And just pretend that you are not around
It's over now
I'll put a Frank Sinatra album on
And cry my blues away
It's over now
It's over now
Shades of blue and purple haunt me
The Beach Boys’ song “It's Over Now” is a reflective, melancholic tune that speaks of the end of a love affair. The singer is grappling with the realization that the flame of love they had has finally faded away, leaving behind an emptiness that haunts them. Despite playing the role, they lost their soul, and their lover still holds a special place in their heart. However, the light at the end of the tunnel eludes them, and they must carry on with the noise outside their window, haunted by shades of blue and purple.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the end of a relationship, with the singer acknowledging that it took a part of them, the heart of them, to watch love fade away. Heaven, once a dreamy and aspirational place, now seems far away, and even the angels no longer play. The chorus, “It's over now,” serves as a stark reminder that the relationship is truly over, and there's no going back.
The last verse reveals the singer’s attempts to cope with the pain by forcing their fear down and pretending that their lover is no longer around. They turn to Frank Sinatra for solace, hoping that his music will help them cry their blues away. However, it's clear that the relationship's end has left an indelible mark on the singer, and shades of blue and purple still haunt them.
Line by Line Meaning
The flame of love we had has finally died
The passion and affection we once shared has come to an end.
Can't take this emptiness it left inside
I am unable to cope with the hollowness and desolation within caused by our separation.
It's over now
Our relationship is over, and there is no hope for reconciliation.
And though I played the role I lost my soul
Although I pretended to be okay, I've lost my innermost self in the process of maintaining the facade.
It's still within your heart
You may still have some feelings for me, but I know it's not enough to fix things between us.
Shades of blue and purple haunt me
The memories of our time together are haunting me, leaving me with feelings of sadness and melancholy.
The noise outside my window carries on
The hustle and bustle of the outside world continues, despite my personal struggles.
Like distant bugles love is very gone
Love has vanished from our relationship, and it is now as distant and unattainable as the sound of bugles.
It took a part of me, the heart of me
Our separation has taken away a vital part of me, my heart and emotions, leaving me emotionally drained.
To watch it fade away
It hurts to watch the love we had for each other slowly slip away and fade into nothingness.
Heaven is far away
The idea of finding happiness and peace seems distant and unattainable to me now.
Angels no longer play
The celestial beings that once added beauty and wonder to my life no longer do so.
I need to take this fear and force it down
I have to confront and suppress my fear of being without you.
And just pretend that you are not around
I need to act as if you are not part of my life anymore, even though it's difficult to do so.
I'll put a Frank Sinatra album on
I'll turn to music as a coping mechanism, listening to the songs of another brokenhearted soul, Frank Sinatra.
And cry my blues away
I'll let out my sadness and sorrow, crying and grieving for the love we once shared.
Shades of blue and purple haunt me
The memories of our time together continue to linger, leaving me with feelings of sadness and melancholy.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy Trullinger
Hey man! This is one of my all-time favorite numbers. So glad you chose it!
“shades of blue and purple haunt me”.
Devin Lawrence
I had no idea about this song until I found it on YouTube recently. What a hidden gem! Thanks!
Andy Trullinger
@Devin Lawrence righteous! I remember discovering it for the first time, too. The first time I heard Marilyn come in on the vocals in bridge, I was floored! It’s still one of the coolest/strangest juxtapositions I’ve ever heard. Thanks for making this one, my friend. I hope you and yours are well. Enjoy your day! 🕊
Moist_Owl
Beautiful song and playing, I almost didn't want it to end :)
Devin Lawrence
That’s such a lovely compliment! I feel the same way when hearing the original demo!
DistantLights
great cover of one of my favorite Brian tracks!
Devin Lawrence
Thanks so much!
DrewLovesMusic
I'd love if you did a cover of Life Is For The Living or H.E.L.P Is On Its Way, those are more amazing songs that were both meant for the never released Adult/Child album. I'd love to hear more songs from that album.👍🏻
Devin Lawrence
I'm not super familiar with those, although I've heard them each at least once. Maybe at some point. Thanks!
Adam Derx
Love this! Have you ever thought about doing California Feeling? Brian's original piano demo is sooooo good!