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
Good Vibrations: Session Masters
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air
I'm pickin' up good vibrations
She's giving me excitations
I'm pickin' up good vibrations (Oom bop, bop, good vibrations)
Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop, bop)
She's giving me excitations(Oom bop, bop, excitations)
Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop, bop)
She's giving me excitations (Oom bop, bop, excitations)
Close my eyes
She's somehow closer now
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
When I look in her eyes
She goes with me to a blossom world
I'm pickin' up good vibrations
She's giving me excitations
I'm pickin' up good vibrations (Oom bop, bop, good vibrations)
She's giving me excitations (Oom bop, bop, excitations)
Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop, bop)
She's giving me excitations (Oom bop, bop, excitations)
Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop, bop)
She's giving me excitations (Oom bop, bop, excitations)
(Ah)
(Ah my my what elation)
I don't know where but she sends me there
(Ah my, my, what a sensation)
(Ah my, my, what elations)
(Ah my, my, what)
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
A happenin' with her
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
A happenin' with her
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
A happenin'
Ah
Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop, bop, I'm pickin' up good vibrations)
She's giving me excitations (Oom bop, bop, excitations)
Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop, bop)
She's na, na
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na
Do, do, do, do, do,
Do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do,
Do, do, do
The lyrics to The Beach Boys' hit song "Good Vibrations" describe the feelings of an infatuated individual being entranced by the sensory experiences of being around the object of their affection. The first few lines describe how the singer is drawn in by the vibrancy of colors that the person they're talking about wears and how light dances around their hair. The singer can even smell the person's perfume on the wind. Then, the singer closes their eyes and feels even closer to this person, as if they are being brought into a "blossom world."
The chorus repeats multiple times, emphasizing the "good vibrations" that the singer is picking up and the "excitations" that this person is giving them. These phrasings suggest a physical, palpable sensation that the singer is feeling when they are around this person. The song ends with repeating the "na na na" phrase over and over again, creating a carefree, joyful feeling that matches the lighthearted, romantic nature of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I love the colorful clothes she wears
I really like the vibrant clothing that she wears.
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I am enchanted by the way the sun illuminates her hair.
I hear the sound of a gentle word
I hear her softly spoken words.
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air
Her fragrance is carried by the wind.
I'm pickin' up good vibrations
I sense positive and exciting energy surrounding me.
She's giving me excitations
She is causing me to feel butterflies in my stomach and excitement.
Close my eyes
I shut my eyes.
She's somehow closer now
She feels more present and close to me.
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
I see her gentle smile and feel assured of her kindness.
When I look in her eyes
I gaze into her eyes.
She goes with me to a blossom world
She takes me with her to a beautiful and vibrant place.
Ah my my what elation
I am filled with great joy and happiness.
I don't know where but she sends me there
I don't know where she takes me but it's a wonderful feeling.
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
I must maintain positive and loving energy between us.
A happenin' with her
It's all happening because of her.
Na, na, na, na, na
N/A
Na, na, na
N/A
Na, na, na, na, na
N/A
Na, na, na
N/A
Do, do, do, do, do,
N/A
Do, do, do
N/A
Do, do, do, do, do,
N/A
Do, do, do
N/A
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON, MIKE E. LOVE
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