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
For Once in my Life
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But girl, I don't forsee a rags-to-riches story for me.
There's just one little dream I've got to come true;
There's just one round I've gotta win,
I can't be a loser with you.
Baby, baby, Once In My Life, let me get what I want,
Girl, don't let me down! Just Once In My Life,
Don't let me down! Baby, say that you'll be stayin',
Cause I couldn't face a day if you weren't here by my side.
If you went away then I'd be left without any pride.
I've given up on schemes, 'Cause all of them fell through,
I've given up so many things, Don't ask me to give up on you.
Baby, baby, Once In My Life, let me get what I want,
Girl, don't let me down! Just Once In My Life,
let me hold on to one good thing I found!
Don't let me down! Baby, say that you'll be stayin',
That old pot of gold ain't so easy to find,
But if you stand by me, I'll keep my peace of mind.
I can't give you the world, But I I'll work hard for you, girl.
I'll work hard, ev'ryday, all my life.
So baby, please don't leave me, just do this for me.
Once In My Life, let me get what I want,
Girl, don't let me down! Just Once In My Life,
let me hold on to one good thing I found!
Don't let me down! Baby, say that you'll be stayin'.
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The Beach Boys’s song Just Once in My Life speaks about a man who wishes to achieve his dreams but seems to have given up on them all, except for the one dream he has of being with his lover. He is a man with a realistic perspective on his life, not expecting to have a rags-to-riches story. His only dream left is to win the love of his significant other and he can’t imagine losing her. He knows he’s had to give up many things in life, but he will never give up on her. The song expresses a sense of desperation, longing and pleading for the girl just to give him one chance to hold onto the one good thing he found.
The lyrics of the song are powerful in their simplicity, yet convey the theme of the song and emotional struggle of the singer effectively. Set to a melody that evokes a sense of yearning, the song balances between being romantic and pitiable. The singer is asking for a chance to hold onto something good in his life - love, stability, and companionship. The lyrics are direct and to the point, but the emotions behind them are deep and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
There's alot of things I want, a lot of things that I'd like to be.
I have many aspirations and dreams for myself.
But girl, I don't forsee a rags-to-riches story for me.
I do not believe I will have a sudden and dramatic change in my financial status.
There's just one little dream I've got to come true;
I have one specific goal I hope to achieve.
There's just one round I've gotta win,
I have one more obstacle to overcome.
I can't be a loser with you.
I cannot bear the thought of losing you or losing your respect.
Baby, baby, Once In My Life, let me get what I want,
Please allow me to achieve my one dream, just this once.
Girl, don't let me down! Just Once In My Life,
I am relying on you to help me succeed this one time.
let me hold on to one good thing I found!
I want to keep the one good thing that has come into my life - you.
Don't let me down! Baby, say that you'll be stayin',
Please promise me that you won't leave.
Cause I couldn't face a day if you weren't here by my side.
Your presence is vital to my happiness and well-being.
If you went away then I'd be left without any pride.
Losing you would be devastating and shameful for me.
I've given up on schemes, 'Cause all of them fell through,
I have abandoned all my plans and strategies because they have all failed.
I've given up so many things, Don't ask me to give up on you.
I have sacrificed a great deal already, and I cannot bear to lose you as well.
That old pot of gold ain't so easy to find,
Achieving financial success is not easy or guaranteed.
But if you stand by me, I'll keep my peace of mind.
Your support will bring me peace and comfort.
I can't give you the world, But I I'll work hard for you, girl.
I may not be able to provide you with everything, but I promise to work hard for you.
I'll work hard, ev'ryday, all my life.
I am committed to working hard for you every day for the rest of my life.
So baby, please don't leave me, just do this for me.
I am begging you not to end our relationship and to help me achieve my dream.
Once In My Life, let me get what I want,
This is my one chance to achieve my goal.
Girl, don't let me down! Just Once In My Life,
I am putting my trust in you to help me succeed.
let me hold on to one good thing I found!
Please let me keep the one positive thing in my life - you.
Don't let me down! Baby, say that you'll be stayin'.
Promise me that you will stay by my side no matter what.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FREDRICK MCGREGOR, ERNEST WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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