The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of… Read Full Bio ↴The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in the history of popular music due to their intricate vocal harmonies, studio experiments, and novel approaches to pop songwriting. Rooted in doo-wop and rock and roll, their early string of vocal surf hits defined the '60s California Sound. For a period afterward, they notably delved into progressive pop styles. often combining elements from classical and jazz in innovative ways.

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

Better Get Back in Bed
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Pied Piper)
(I'd better get back in bed)
(Hope I'll see you again)

(Pied Piper)
(I'd better get back in bed)
(Hope I'll see you again)

(Pied Piper)
(I'd better get back in bed)
(Hope I'll see you again)

(Pied Piper)
(I'll be running along)

Thirty seconds after he was in bed
He fell back to sleep

The next morning
He had forgotten all about
What had happened the night before

But when night time came once again
His thoughts somehow found their way back
To remembering the fascinating episode of the night before

He he turned out his bedroom light
And sat in his favorite chair
Thoughts danced in his head for a while

"Suppose I went to check and see if my transistor is still down there"
He said "I wonder what would happen"

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' song "Better Get Back in Bed" is a story about a man who follows a "pied piper" and ends up having an adventurous and exciting night. However, as soon as he returns home and falls asleep, he forgets all about it until the next night when his thoughts wander back to the experience. The song talks about the man's curiosity about what would happen if he were to go and check on his transistor, which was apparently left behind during the previous night's adventure.

The lyrics in the song indicate that the man is torn between his desire for adventure and his responsibilities. The "pied piper" represents the temptation to let go of his responsibilities and indulge in an exciting lifestyle, while "getting back in bed" represents his desire to stay grounded and responsible. However, even as he sits in his chair, contemplating what he should do, the man does not make a decision and leaves it up to his imagination.

This song is essentially about the internal struggle that many people face when it comes to balancing their responsibilities with their desire for excitement and adventure. The Beach Boys use their signature harmonies and catchy melody to explore this theme and capture the imagination of their listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

(Pied Piper)
Referring to the fascinating episode that occurred the night before

(I'd better get back in bed)
Realizing the lateness of the hour and the need to sleep

(Hope I'll see you again)
Desiring to experience the same episode again

(I'd better get back in bed)
Acknowledging the need for sleep once again

(Hope I'll see you again)
Expressing the longing to repeat the fascinating experience

(I'd better get back in bed)
Repeating the recognition of the necessity for rest

(I'll be running along)
Leaving for bed

Thirty seconds after he was in bed
Indicating a brief period of time after going to sleep

He fell back to sleep
Successfully drifting off into a deep slumber

The next morning
Referring to the day following the fascinating episode

He had forgotten all about
Unable to recall the events of the previous night

What had happened the night before
The events during the fascinating episode

But when night time came once again
At the same time as the previous night

His thoughts somehow found their way back
Thinking about the fascinating episode even though he did not consciously remember it

To remembering the fascinating episode of the night before
Focusing on the memorable experience from the previous night

He turned out his bedroom light
Switched off the light present in the bedroom

And sat in his favorite chair
Taking a seat in the place where he felt the most comfortable

Thoughts danced in his head for a while
His mind was preoccupied with various ideas

"Suppose I went to check and see if my transistor is still down there"
Wondering about the potential outcome of revisiting the location of the fascinating episode

He said "I wonder what would happen"
Expressing his curiosity about the possible results of revisiting the location

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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