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

Farmer's Daughter
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've come
Come from miles away
Ain't got (ain't got, ain't got)
No place to stay (no place to stay, place to stay)
Glad to (glad to, glad to)
Help you plow your fields (help you plow, help you plow)
Farmer's daughter (farmer's daughter, farmer's daughter)

Might be (might be, might be)
Just a couple of days (couple of days, couple of days)
Clean up, rest (clean up, clean up)
And on my way (on my way, on my way)
Thank you (thank you, thank you)
And I'm much obliged (much obliged, much obliged)
Farmer's daughter (farmer's daughter, farmer's daughter)

Mmm
Mmm

So long (so long, so long)
Better leave your land (leave your land, leave your land)
Many thanks (many thanks, many thanks)
It was mighty grand (mighty grand, mighty grand)
I hope (hope to, hope to)
Hope to see you again (see you again, see you again)
Farmer's daughter (farmer's daughter, farmer's daughter)

Oh, farmer's daughter (farmer's daughter, farmer's daughter)
Oh, farmer's daughter (farmer's daughter, farmer's daughter)

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' "Farmer's Daughter" is a light and upbeat tune about a wandering traveler who stumbles upon the titular farmer's daughter and decides to lend a hand in plowing the fields. The song is filled with imagery of the open road and the simple pleasures of rural life. While the lyrics seem innocent enough at first, there is an underlying sense of longing and desire that becomes clearer as the song progresses.

The traveler, who may or may not be hitchhiking, is looking for a place to stay and is happy to help out with any chores that need to be done. He is clearly taken with the farmer's daughter and expresses his appreciation for her hospitality with lines like "Thank you / And I'm much obliged." As the song comes to a close, the traveler says his goodbyes and expresses his hope to see the farmer's daughter again.

While "Farmer's Daughter" may seem like a simple and straightforward song on the surface, it's clear that there is a lot more going on beneath the surface. The longing and desire that are hinted at in the lyrics suggest that the traveler may have more than just a passing interest in the farmer's daughter, despite the fact that their encounter is brief.

Line by Line Meaning

I could come from miles away
I travelled a long distance to reach your farm

Ain't got no place to stay
I don't have any lodging, hence seeking a place to stay

Glad to help you plow your fields
I'm happy to assist you with farming and working on your land

Farmer's daughter
I'm interested in the farmer's daughter and hoping to build a romantic relationship with her

Might be just a couple of days
I plan to stay for only a few days and then leave

Clean up, rest and on my way
I will clean up after myself, rest, and then continue my journey

Thank you and I'm much obliged
I appreciate your hospitality and assistance

So long, better leave your land
I'm leaving now and it's better for me to vacate your farm

Many thanks, it was mighty grand
Thank you for having me, it was a fantastic experience

I hope to see you again, farmer's daughter
I'm interested in seeing the farmer's daughter again and developing our relationship further

Oh oh, farmer's daughter
I am still thinking about the farmer's daughter and wish to pursue her