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
Getcha Back
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ahh ooo oohh waaa oooo
Bow bow bow bow oop
Ahh ooo oohh waaa oooo
Bow bow bow bow oop
Ahh ooo oohh waaa oooo
The other night they were playing our song
Hadn't heard it for oh so long
Took me back darlin' to that time in my car
When you cried all night cause we'd gone too far
Can I ever getcha back
Getcha back baby
Gonna getcha back getcha back
Getcha back getcha back baby
Gonna getcha back getcha back
Can I ever getcha back
I'm getting tired laying around here at night
Thinkin' 'bout some other guy holding you tight
He may have money and a brand new car
May even treat you like a movie star
And no matter what he ever do for you
He can never love you like I can do
So if I leave her and you leave him
Can we ever get it back again
Getcha back getcha back baby
Gonna getcha back getcha back
Getcha back getcha back baby
Gonna getcha back getcha back
Can I ever getcha back
Bow bow bow oop
Bow bow bow oop
(Getcha back) I'll leave her
(Getcha back) and you leave him
(Getcha back) can we baby
(Getcha back) get it back again
(Getcha back) I'll leave her
(Getcha back) and you leave him
(Getcha back) can we baby
(Getcha back) get it back again
(Getcha back) I'll leave her
(Getcha back) and you leave him
The Beach Boys' song "Getcha Back" is about a couple who have been separated for a while but are yearning to rekindle their love. The opening lines of the song consist of some nonsensical sounds, which could be interpreted as the singer's emotional reaction to hearing their song on the radio again. The nostalgia triggers memories of a time when they were in love and driving in the car together, but they have since grown apart.
The songwriter then laments about the possibility of not being able to get their love back, as the person they were with has likely moved on to someone else who may even have more material possessions than themselves. Despite this, they are still convinced that they are the one who can really love their former flame, and they are willing to leave their current partner to try and reignite the old flame.
Although the lyrics are somewhat straightforward, the song's catchy melody and upbeat tone make it an enjoyable listen. The song also speaks to the human desire to reconnect with someone with whom you once had a deep connection and highlights the pain of losing that connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Bow bow bow bow oop
The intro vocals of the song, that have no direct meaning.
Ahh ooo oohh waaa oooo
The continuation of the song's intro vocals, that have no direct meaning.
The other night they were playing our song
The singer heard a song that reminded him of his past relationship.
Hadn't heard it for oh so long
The artist hasn't heard the song in a long time.
Took me back darlin' to that time in my car
The song took the artist back to a specific memory of listening to it with his partner.
When you cried all night cause we'd gone too far
The memory associated with the song involves the singer's partner crying after they had gone too far in their relationship.
Can I ever getcha back
The singer is wondering if he can ever get his partner back.
Getcha back baby
The artist is urging his partner to come back to him.
Gonna getcha back getcha back
The artist is determined to get his partner back.
Can I ever getcha back
The artist repeats his question from earlier in the song.
I'm getting tired laying around here at night
The singer is tired of being alone at night.
Thinkin' 'bout some other guy holding you tight
The artist is thinking about his partner being with someone else.
He may have money and a brand new car
The person the singer's partner is with may have material possessions.
May even treat you like a movie star
The person the singer's partner is with may treat her like a celebrity.
And no matter what he ever do for you
The singer believes that no matter what the other person does, he can never match his own love for his partner.
He can never love you like I can do
The artist believes that his love for his partner is unique and can't be matched.
So if I leave her and you leave him
The artist is proposing that they both end their current relationships.
Can we ever get it back again
The singer is questioning whether they can ever get their past relationship back.
Bow bow bow oop
The song's catchy instrumental bridge, that has no direct meaning.
Getcha back
The artist repeats his plea for his partner to come back to him.
(Getcha back) I'll leave her
The artist is willing to leave his current partner for his ex.
(Getcha back) and you leave him
The artist's ex would need to leave her current partner for him as well.
(Getcha back) can we baby
The singer is proposing that they can get back together.
(Getcha back) get it back again
The artist repeats his question from earlier in the song, wondering if they can get their past relationship back.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE EDWARD LOVE, TERRY MELCHER
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