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
Cabin Essence: Chorus
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cabin essence timely hello,
Welcomes the time for a change.
Lost and found, you still remain there.
You'll find a meadow filled with grain there.
I'll give you a home on the range.
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
Who ran the iron horse?
I want to watch you windblown facing
Waves of wheat for your embracing.
Folks sing a song of the grange.
Nestle in a kiss below there.
The constellations ebb and flow there.
And witness our home on the range.
Who ran the iron horse?
(Truck driving man do what you can)
Who ran the iron horse?
(High-tail your load off the road)
Who ran the iron horse?
(Out of night-life-it's a gas man)
Who ran the iron horse?
(I don't believe I gotta grieve)
Who ran the iron horse?
(In and out of luck)
Who ran the iron horse?
(With a buck and a booth)
Who ran the iron horse?
(Catchin' on to the truth)
Who ran the iron horse?
(In the vast past, the last gasp)
Who ran the iron horse?
(In the land, in the dust, trust that you must)
Who ran the iron horse?
(Catch as catch can)
Have you seen the grand coolie workin' on the railroad?
Have you seen the grand coolie workin' on the railroad?
Have you seen the grand coolie workin' on the railroad?
Over and over,
The crow cries uncover the cornfield.
Over and over,
The thresher and hover the wheat field.
Over and over,
The crow cries uncover the cornfield.
Over and over,
The thresher and hover the wheat field.
Over and over,
The crow cries uncover the cornfield.
Over and over,
The thresher and hover the wheat field.
The Beach Boys' song Cabin Essence features a unique blend of lyrics that evoke feelings of change and longing while also showcasing the beauty of nature. The opening line, "Light the lamp and fire mellow, Cabin essence timely hello," indicates a welcoming gesture of change. The cabin essence symbolizes something pure and organic that is essential to one's well-being. There is a sense of being lost in the lyrics as the song mentions a meadow filled with grain where one can find a home on the range. One can interpret this as a desire for simplicity and an escape from urban chaos.
The song also explores the idea of progress through technology. The repeated question, "Who ran the iron horse?" refers to the steam engines that were used in the American West during the 19th century. The song questions the impact of progress on the land's natural beauty and the environment while encouraging people to be mindful of their actions. The end of the song talks about the hard work of people who did the manual labor in fields and how it is an essential part of the country's economy. The repetitive nature of the song's lyrics amplifies the feeling of longing and desire for simplicity.
Line by Line Meaning
Light the lamp and fire mellow
Let's light the lamp and start a fire. We want a soothing atmosphere.
Cabin essence timely hello
Greeting to the cabin essence. It is the perfect time to sit around the fire.
Welcomes the time for a change
The cabin needs a bit of change, maybe it's time to move or redecorate.
Lost and found, you still remain there
Even though you've been lost, you're still here at the cabin.
You'll find a meadow filled with grain there
In the vicinity there's a lovely meadow, it has an abundance of cereal crops.
I'll give you a home on the range
I will offer you a simple home in a peaceful environment.
Who ran the iron horse?
Who drove the iron tracks of the railway train?
I want to watch you windblown facing
I want to see you standing there, with the wind blowing through your hair.
Waves of wheat for your embracing
The wheat crops are rolling in waves and they're enveloping you.
Folks sing a song of the grange
The people sing of the farmland and the farmers that work hard.
Nestle in a kiss below there
Let us kiss tenderly, under the warmth of the sun.
The constellations ebb and flow there
The stars above sway back and forth in the sky.
And witness our home on the range
We can observe our peaceful abode in the distance.
Truck driving man do what you can
A request to the trucker, to use his skills and abilities for his profession.
High-tail your load off the road
Move your load quickly off the road.
Out of night-life-it's a gas man
Leave the nightlife behind, it's fun but exhausting.
I don't believe I gotta grieve
I should not be upset or worried.
In and out of luck
Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not.
With a buck and a booth
Making a living with a small amount of money and a selling kiosk.
Catchin' on to the truth
Finally understanding the truth that had been elusive before.
In the vast past, the last gasp
In the expansive bygone era, and the final breath lies ahead.
In the land, in the dust, trust that you must
In this land, even though the land is dusty, you must trust in your surroundings.
Catch as catch can
Get whatever you can, with whatever means you have.
Have you seen the grand coolie workin' on the railroad?
Have you seen the hardworking laborer in the beautiful railway valley?
Over and over, the crow cries uncover the cornfield
The crow is calling out repeatedly, exposing the cornfield.
Over and over, the thresher and hover the wheat field
The thresher keeps going over the wheat field, harvesting it piece by piece.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN WILSON, VAN DYKE PARKS
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