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

Don't Go Near the Water
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't go near the water
Don't you think it's sad
What's happened to the water
Our water's going bad

Oceans, rivers, lakes and streams
Have all been touched by man
The poison floatin' out to sea

Now threatens life on land

Don't go near the water
Ain't it sad
What's happened to the water
It's going bad

Don't go near the water
Don't go near the water

Toothpaste and soap will make our oceans a bubble bath
So let's avoid an ecological aftermath
Beginning with me
Beginning with you

Don't go near the water
To do it any wrong
To be cool with the water
Is the message of this song

Let's all help the water
Right away

Do what we can and oughta
Let's start today

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' song "Don't Go Near the Water" is an environmental protest song that highlights the dangerous impact of industrialization on the world's natural resources. The opening lines set the tone for the song, cautioning listeners against approaching the water. The lyrics express sadness over the state of the world's water and its contamination from human activities. The song then goes on to highlight the effects of human activities on oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams.

The second stanza starts with "The poison floating out to sea, now threatens life on land." This line is a significant statement on the impact of pollution caused by industrial activities, including oil spills and toxic effluents, on the health of the environment and humans. The chorus repeats the warning not to go near the water and emphasizes the importance of taking corrective measures to restore the quality of the water.

The final verse highlights the responsibility of individuals to work towards change. The lyrics suggest that starting with small changes, including avoiding the use of harmful chemicals such as toothpaste and soap, can go a long way in promoting ecological sustainability.

Overall, "Don't Go Near the Water" is a call to action to consider the role of individual responsibility in protecting the environment, as well as to think about the broader societal and governmental changes needed to ensure lasting sustainability.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't go near the water
It is advised to refrain from going near the water due to its alarming state

Don't you think it's sad
The situation is deplorable and the singer is seeking an agreement in this regard

What's happened to the water
The singer is questioning the current condition of the water

Our water's going bad
The water is deteriorating and its quality is getting worse

Oceans, rivers, lakes and streams
All the major sources of water are being affected by human activities

Have all been touched by man
Human influence is responsible for the contamination of water bodies

The poison floating out to sea
The pollutants released in the water are spreading to the oceans

Now threatens life on land
The contamination of water is adversely affecting the ecosystem and the livelihood of people

Toothpaste and soap will make our oceans a bubble bath
Even casual interaction with water can cause harm due to the presence of harmful chemicals in personal care products

So let's avoid an ecological aftermath
Preventing further harm to the environment is necessary to avoid a disastrous outcome

Beginning with me
The singer is willing to take personal responsibility towards preventing water pollution

Beginning with you
The artist is urging the listeners to also play an active role in protecting the water bodies

To do it any wrong
Any negligence in handling water pollution can lead to disastrous consequences

To be cool with the water
Taking care of the water bodies should be a priority and not an afterthought

Is the message of this song
The song intends to spread awareness and promote responsible behavior towards water bodies

Let's all help the water
Everyone should make efforts towards improving the quality of water

Right away
Immediate actions are required to mitigate the damage caused to water bodies

Do what we can and ought to
Individuals should make appropriate choices and take necessary measures to prevent water pollution

Let's start today
The process of taking responsibility towards water bodies should begin immediately

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Alan C. Jardine, Mike E. Love

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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