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
Concert Promo/Hushabye
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Hushabye hushabye
Oh my darling don't you cry
Guardian angels up above
Take care of the one I love
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-oo
Lullabye and good night
In your dreams I'll hold you tight
Lullabye and good night
'Till the dawn's early light
Pillows lying on your bed
Oh my darling rest your head
Sand man will be coming soon
Singing you a slumber tune
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Oo-oo
Oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah
The lyrics to The Beach Boys' song Concert Promo/Hushabye are a mix of a lullaby and a prayer. The song begins with a series of sounds that can be interpreted as soothing and comforting, leading into the first verse which speaks directly to the listener's emotions. The singer reassures the listener that their guardian angels are watching over them and that they should not cry. The idea of an unseen, spiritual force watching over and protecting the singer's loved ones is a common theme in religious music.
The second verse tells the listener to rest and to imagine themselves in the singer's loving arms. The singer uses the metaphor of a lullaby to ease the listener into a state of sleep. The idea of singing someone into a peaceful slumber has been around for centuries, with lullabies being a cultural staple around the world. The last lines of the song refer to the "Sand man," who is a traditional character in folklore who brings sleep to people by sprinkling sand over their eyes. Overall, the song promotes the idea of finding comfort in a higher power and the safety of a loved one's embrace.
Line by Line Meaning
Oo-oo
Background vocalization to set the tone and mood of the song.
Oo-oo-oo
Repetition of the background vocalization that builds anticipation.
Oo-oo-ah
A new variation to the background vocalization that adds variation but maintains the mood.
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Another variation with a descending tone to signify the end of this portion of the song.
Hushabye hushabye
A calming word repetition that immediately establishes the theme of this portion of the song.
Oh my darling don't you cry
Comforting reassurance to the subject of the song as the singer takes the role of the protector and caretaker.
Guardian angels up above
A reference to divine protection as the singer invokes the protection of higher powers.
Take care of the one I love
The singer entrusting the safety and well-being of the subject to external forces due to the depth of their love.
Lullabye and good night
Another variation of the word repetition that establishes continued calm and reassurance.
In your dreams I'll hold you tight
The singer again taking a protective role, now specifically in the subject's dreams.
Till the dawn's early light
A reference to the length of time the singer will protect and care for the subject, from night until morning.
Pillows lying on your bed
An image of rest and comfort for the subject.
Oh my darling rest your head
The singer encouraging the subject to relax and feel at peace.
Sand man will be coming soon
A reference to a universal cultural figure that induces sleep and rest in children.
Singing you a slumber tune
A promise the sandman will soothe the subject with music to prepare them for restful sleep.
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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