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
Drive In
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's to the drive in
It's such a groovy place to talk and maybe watch a show
Down at the drive in
Forget about the plot, it'll do very well
But make sure you see enough so you're prepared to tell
About the drive in
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
If the windows get fogged you'll have to take a breath
Down at the drive in
Or the cat dressed in white will scare you both to death
Down at the drive in
A big buttered popcorn and an extra large coke
A few chili dogs and man I'm goin' broke
Down at the drive in
Yeah at the drive in
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
Don't sneak your buddies in the trunk 'cause they might get caught
By the drive in
And they'd look kinda stupid gettin' chased through the lot
Around the drive in
If you say you watch the movie you're a couple o' liars
And "remember only you can prevent forest fires"
Down at the drive in
I love the drive in
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
Down at the drive in
I love the drive in
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
Down at the drive in
I love the drive in
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
The Beach Boys song "Drive-In" is an upbeat and nostalgic celebration of the drive-in movie theaters that were popular in the United States in the mid-twentieth century. The song's narrator describes how the drive-in is his preferred destination for a date or a night out because it allows for both socializing and watching a movie. He advises not to worry too much about the plot of the film, but to take in enough so that you can tell others about the experience.
As the song progresses, the singer provides humorous anecdotes about the drive-in experience. He warns about the danger of the car's windows fogging up and the comical possibility of a cat scaring the couple. He also suggests indulging in the classic movie theater treats of popcorn, soda, and chili dogs, even if it puts a strain on your wallet.
The song captures the sense of carefree youth and romanticism associated with the drive-in experience. Despite the occasional inconvenience or expense, it remains a beloved pastime for the singer and his companions.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I have a date there's only one place to go
I always take my dates to the drive-in theater.
That's to the drive in
I mean the drive-in theater.
It's such a groovy place to talk and maybe watch a show
The drive-in is a cool spot for watching movies and chatting with your date.
Down at the drive in
At the drive-in theater.
Forget about the plot, it'll do very well
Don't worry about following the movie's storyline, it's not important at the drive-in.
But make sure you see enough so you're prepared to tell
However, try to pay attention to the movie so you can discuss it with your date later.
About the drive in
Specifically, about the drive-in theater.
I love the drive in
I really enjoy going to the drive-in theater.
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
A chorus that emphasizes how much they all love the drive-in theater.
If the windows get fogged you'll have to take a breath
If the car windows get foggy from making out or something, you'll have to catch your breath at the drive-in theater.
Or the cat dressed in white will scare you both to death
Otherwise, the creepy white cat mascot might give you a jump scare.
A big buttered popcorn and an extra large coke
Their favorite snacks to enjoy while watching a movie at the drive-in theater are a large popcorn and coke.
A few chili dogs and man I'm goin' broke
But if they add a few chili dogs to that, they might break the bank.
Yeah at the drive in
Again, at the drive-in theater.
Don't sneak your buddies in the trunk 'cause they might get caught
They caution against sneaking friends into the drive-in theater in the trunk of your car because they might get caught.
By the drive in
By the drive-in theater staff or security.
And they'd look kinda stupid gettin' chased through the lot
If caught, their friends would look foolish trying to escape security in the parking lot.
Around the drive in
Around the drive-in theater's parking lot.
If you say you watch the movie you're a couple o' liars
They joke that if you claim to have just watched the movie, you're not being truthful. The drive-in theater is too distracting.
And "remember only you can prevent forest fires"
They reference the common forest fire prevention slogan as a non sequitur in the context of the drive-in theater.
Down at the drive in
Again, at the drive-in theater.
I love the drive in
They really, really like the drive-in theater.
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
A chorus to drive home just how much they adore the drive-in theater.
Down at the drive in
Yep, still at the drive-in theater.
I love the drive in
Just in case the listener forgot, they repeat that they love the drive-in theater.
(we love the drive in, we love the drive in)
And again, just in case they weren't clear enough earlier, they reiterate that they and presumably their listeners, love the drive-in theater.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL LOVE, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vortexmusicmovies6173
Brian Wilson played this at a Smile show he did couple decades ago - did not expect this one!
@fliguman
"Only you can prevent forest fires" lol classic and additionally bussin track ong
@sha11235
So did they take that from Smokey or did Smokey take it from them?
@genesclean1
Made out and missed the show...often
@meloland5649
Wonderful.
@Samandrosajonesar
Great oldie from the Beach Boys. Have a great Day and have a Merry Christmas
@billada5235
Thanks. Have a merry Christmas and a great New Year.
@tubecrazy65
I give this a 10
@CanisLupus123
Classic
@frowe327
We used to “sneak our buddies in the trunk” in central PA also!