Initially managed by the Wilsons' father, Murry Wilson, the group gained national recognition in 1963 with the release of "Surfin' U.S.A." The song marked the beginning of a series of top-ten singles associated with the "California sound," a style reflecting themes of surfing, cars, and romance. The Beach Boys were among the few American bands to maintain commercial success during the British Invasion. Beginning with the 1965 album "The Beach Boys Today!", the band shifted focus from surf-themed content to more introspective lyrics and complex arrangements. The 1966 album "Pet Sounds" and the single "Good Vibrations" were significant in establishing the group's reputation for musical innovation. Plans for a follow-up album, "Smile," were abandoned in 1967, after which Brian Wilson reduced his involvement in the band.
The band's popularity in the United States declined in the late 1960s, and their work was often overlooked by contemporary music critics at the time. In the early 1970s, the group underwent a change in public perception and musical direction, with Carl Wilson assuming a leadership role. During the mid-1970s, the group increasingly focused on live performances and retrospective compilations. Dennis Wilson died in 1983, and Brian Wilson later distanced himself from the band. Following Carl Wilson's death from lung cancer in 1998, Mike Love obtained legal rights to tour under the group's name. In the early 2010s, the surviving original members briefly reunited for a 50th anniversary tour. As of the 2020s, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine do not perform with the touring version of the Beach Boys led by Mike Love, though they are still officially considered members.
The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records globally. Their work has had an influence on a variety of musical genres, including psychedelia, power pop, progressive rock, punk, alternative, and lo-fi. From the 1960s through the 2020s, the group achieved 37 Top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including four number-one hits. In 2004, they were ranked number 12 on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest artists of all time. Albums such as "The Beach Boys Today!", "Pet Sounds," "Smiley Smile," "Sunflower," and "Surf's Up" have been frequently cited in critics' polls. The original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Additional members over the years have included David Marks, Bruce Johnston, Blondie Chaplin, and Ricky Fataar.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beach_Boys
Studio albums
Surfin' Safari (1962)
Surfin' U.S.A. (1963)
Surfer Girl (1963)
Little Deuce Coupe (1963)
Shut Down Volume 2 (1964)
All Summer Long (1964)
The Beach Boys' Christmas Album (1964)
The Beach Boys Today! (1965)
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) (1965)
Beach Boys' Party! (1965)
Pet Sounds (1966)
Smiley Smile (1967)
Wild Honey (1967)
Friends (1968)
20/20 (1969)
Sunflower (1970)
Surf's Up (1971)
Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" (1972)
Holland (1973)
15 Big Ones (1976)
The Beach Boys Love You (1977)
M.I.U. Album (1978)
L.A. (Light Album) (1979)
Keepin' the Summer Alive (1980)
The Beach Boys (1985)
Still Cruisin' (1989)
Summer in Paradise (1992)
Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 (1996)
That's Why God Made the Radio (2012)
A Day in the Life of a Tree
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The pain, the air is killing me
For years my limbs stretched to the sky
A nest for birds to sit and sing
But now my branches suffer
And my leaves don't bear the glow
They did so long ago
One day I was full of life
My sap was rich and I was strong
From seed to tree I grew so tall
Through wind and rain I could not fall
But now my branches suffer
And my leaves don't offer
Poetry to men of song
Trees like me weren't meant to live
If all this world can give
Pollution and slow death
Oh Lord I lay me down
No life's left to be found
There's nothing left for me
Trees like me weren't meant to live
If all this earth can give
Is pollution
Trees like me weren't meant to live
(Oh Lord I lay me down)
If all this earth can give
(My branches to the ground)Is pollution and slow death
(There's nothing left for me)
Oh Lord I lay me down
My branches to the ground
There's nothing left for me
The Beach Boys' song "A Day in the Life of a Tree" is a lament of an old tree nearing its death due to pollution. The lyrics personify the tree's feelings, as it shares its experiences and how it has suffered due to an unhealthy environment. The tree recalls the days when it was full of life, with lush leaves and a strong trunk, providing nourishment and shelter to other creatures. But as the surrounding air and ground become more toxic, the tree can no longer thrive.
The song's somber mood is enhanced by the melancholic melody in minor key, with the vocal harmonies adding to the emotional depth of the lyrics. The repetition of the line "Trees like me weren't meant to live" emphasizes the view that the natural world, including trees, cannot survive in an environment where pollution prevents growth and sustainability.
This song is more than just a love letter to nature. It also includes a poignant commentary on environmental issues, highlighting the impact of pollution on ecosystems and the need for responsible stewardship of the natural world. The songwriter's use of a tree to deliver this message is both effective and poignant, as the tree represents the larger natural world that is under threat from pollution and environmental degradation.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel the wind burn through my skin
I experience physical pain as the wind, which is polluted, hits my skin.
The pain, the air is killing me
The contaminated air is causing my suffering and eventual death.
For years my limbs stretched to the sky
I grew and developed tall branches over many years.
A nest for birds to sit and sing
I provided a habitat for birds to rest and create beautiful sounds.
But now my branches suffer
My tree's branches are experiencing pain and damage.
And my leaves don't bear the glow
My leaves used to shine, but now they are no longer healthy and vibrant.
They did so long ago
My leaves were once beautiful and healthy, but now that time has passed.
One day I was full of life
At one point I had a full and flourishing life.
My sap was rich and I was strong
My tree had plenty of resources and was healthy.
From seed to tree I grew so tall
I started as a small seed and eventually grew into a tall tree.
Through wind and rain I could not fall
Despite the challenges of wind and rain, I remained strong and withstood them.
And my leaves don't offer poetry to men of song
My leaves no longer inspire poets and musicians because they are damaged and lifeless.
Trees like me weren't meant to live
Trees like me were not designed to survive in a world with heavy pollution.
If all this world can give is pollution and slow death
Unfortunately, the world is offering me an environment that is toxic and contributing to my slow death.
Oh Lord I lay me down
I am resigned to my fate and am ready to die.
No life's left to be found
There is no hope for my continued existence.
My branches to the ground
My branches will fall and decompose, becoming part of the earth.
There's nothing left for me
I have reached the end of my life and there is nothing left for me to give or receive.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson, Jack Rieley
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