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

California Girls
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, East coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there

The Midwest farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night

I wish they all could be California (girls)
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls

The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
I dig a French bikini on Hawaiian island
Dolls by a palm tree in the sand

I been all around this great big world
And I seen all kinds of girls
Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the States
Back to the cutest girls in the world

I wish they all could be California (girls)
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls

I wish they all could be California girls
(Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California girls
(Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California girls
(Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California girls
(Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California girls
(Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the)

I wish they all could be California girls
(Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the)

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' famous song "California Girls" is a celebration of the girls from different regions in America and how they each have their unique charm. The song starts by praising the East Coast girls for their hip styles and moves to the Southern girls with the way they talk - not to mention how they knock the singer out. Then come the Midwest farmer's daughters who make one feel all right, and the Northern girls with their warm boyfriend-keeping kisses. However, in the chorus, the singer wishes they all could be California girls. He thinks they are the cutest girls in the world and attributes this to the sunshine on the West Coast and how it gives them all great tans. The mention of French bikinis and palm tree sand dolls tops up the fantasy.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, East coast girls are hip
I find East coast girls fashionable and cool.

I really dig those styles they wear
I like the clothing choices of East coast girls.

And the Southern girls with the way they talk
The Southern accent of girls is captivating.

They knock me out when I'm down there
I'm impressed by the Southern girls.

The Midwest farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
Girls from the Midwest seem approachable and friendly.

And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
The kissing style of Northern girls is special.

They keep their boyfriends warm at night
Northern girls show affection and keep their partners comfortable.

I wish they all could be California (girls)
I wish every girl could be like California girls.

I wish they all could be California
I yearn for all girls to have the attributes of California.

The West coast has the sunshine
The West coast has a pleasant and warm climate.

And the girls all get so tanned
Girls from the West coast have a sun-kissed complexion.

I dig a French bikini on Hawaiian island
I enjoy seeing women in a French bikini on a Hawaiian beach.

Dolls by a palm tree in the sand
It's charming to see women relaxing by palm trees on the beach.

I been all around this great big world
I have traveled extensively.

And I seen all kinds of girls
I have encountered diverse types of women.

Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the States
I was eager to return home to the US.

Back to the cutest girls in the world
The girls in California are the most attractive.

I wish they all could be California girls
I want all girls to embody the qualities of California girls.

Girls, girls, girls, yeah I dig the
I really adore girls.

I wish they all could be California girls
I desire the attributes of California girls in all women.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson, Michael Edward Love

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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