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
Bells of Christmas
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They toll for the savior and the peace he'll bring
And little children everywhere are caroling
'Cause the presence of the Lord makes their spirits sing
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Bells are ringing
Bells of Christmas
Children singing
The bells of Notre Dame cathedral will chime
And everywhere a princely peace
And there they light the candles up one at a time
For the ones they love at Christmastime
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Bells are ringing
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Children singing
The omnipresent spirit of the world will sing
That Christ is born
Oh oh oh
And people of the world are all rejoicing
For the baby Jesus born in Nazarene
The bells of Christmas go ring-a-ling-ling
They toll for the savior and the peace he'll bring
And little Children everywhere are caroling
'Cause the presence of the Lord makes their spirits sing
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Bells are ringing
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Children singing
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Bells are ringing
Oh oh oh oh
Bells of Christmas
Children singing
Ah
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
Oh oh oh oh
Ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah
The Beach Boys’s "Bells of Christmas" is a joyful Christmas song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and the spirit of the season. The song is composed in a delicate way to capture the essence of the holiday. The song begins with lyrics, "The bells of Christmas go ring-a-ling-ling, they toll for the savior and the peace he'll bring." The bells represent the joy of Christmas and the message of peace that Christ brings to the world. The lyrics describe the presence of the Lord, which fills children's spirits with singing.
The song's second verse refers to the famous Notre Dame cathedral and describes the setting where people light candles one by one in memory of their loved ones. The phrase "princely peace" conveys a sense of tranquillity and a reminder of the holiday's true meaning. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more joyful, and the singer describes the rejoicing of the world over the birth of Christ and the happiness that the new-born king brings. The song concludes with the repetition of the opening verse, and the bells are encouraging children everywhere to sing and celebrate the joy of Christmas.
Overall, The Beach Boys's "Bells of Christmas" is a heartfelt and uplifting song that reminds us of the holiday's real meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
The bells of Christmas go ring-a-ling-ling
The Christmas bells make a melodic ringing sound
They toll for the savior and the peace he'll bring
The bells are ringing in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the peace that he represents
And little children everywhere are caroling
Children all over are singing traditional Christmas songs
'Cause the presence of the Lord makes their spirits sing
The children feel uplifted and joyful when they celebrate the religious aspects of Christmas
The bells of Notre Dame cathedral will chime
The church bells of Notre Dame will ring
And everywhere a princely peace
Everywhere there will be a sense of noble or royal tranquility
And there they light the candles up one at a time
Candles will be lit one by one for loved ones at Christmastime
For the ones they love at Christmastime
The candles are lit in honor of family, friends, and loved ones during the holiday season
The omnipresent spirit of the world will sing
The universal spirit of the world will proclaim
That Christ is born
That the savior, Jesus Christ, has been born
And people of the world are all rejoicing
People throughout the world are all celebrating with joy
For the baby Jesus born in Nazarene
They are rejoicing for the birth of Jesus, who was born in Nazareth
Ah
Expressive sound
Ah ah ah ah
Pattern of expressive sounds
Oh oh oh oh
Another pattern of expressive sounds
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Ronald Altbach, Michael Love
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