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
Hang On To Your Ego
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They isolate their heads and stay in their saftey zones
Now what can you tell them
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
Hang on to your ego
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
They come on like their peaceful
But inside they're so uptight
They trip through the day
And waste all their thoughts at night
Now how can I say it
And how can I come on
When I know I'm guilty
Hang on to your ego
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
Now how can I say it
And how can I come on
When I know I'm guilty
So hang on to your ego
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
The Beach Boys' song "Hang On to Your Ego" is a commentary on the tendency of people to isolate themselves from others and live inside their own heads. The song's narrator knows many people who think they can do everything alone and they stay in their comfort zones. The problem with this is that they miss out on the opportunity to connect with others and learn from them, which inevitably leads to personal growth.
The singer is struggling with how to talk to these people and open their minds without causing them to become defensive. He advises them to "hang on to your ego" but acknowledges that they will eventually lose the fight if they continue to isolate themselves. Despite his own guilt and struggles, the singer is urging the listener to face reality and connect with others, rather than living a life of isolation.
The song is a departure from the surf-rock sound that The Beach Boys had become known for, with a more psychedelic sound and influenced by the psychedelic rock movement of the time. "Hang On to Your Ego" was originally included on The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds" but was later replaced with a reworked version called "I Know There's an Answer." The original version was released separately as a single in 1966.
Line by Line Meaning
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
I'm aware of several folks who believe they don't need anyone's help
They isolate their heads and stay in their saftey zones
These individuals are isolating themselves and sticking to their comfort zones
Now what can you tell them
What could one possibly say to make them understand
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
How do you avoid making them feel attacked and defensive
Hang on to your ego
Retain your self-esteem or pride to handle life's challenges
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
Even if you preserve your ego, you're unlikely to prevail
They come on like their peaceful
They may act calm and tranquil
But inside they're so uptight
But inwardly, they are tense and worried
They trip through the day
They stumble along life's journey
And waste all their thoughts at night
And spend their nights worrying about pointless things
Now how can I say it
How do I express what I want to say
And how can I come on
How do I approach this
When I know I'm guilty
When I myself am also guilty of these behaviors
So hang on to your ego
Therefore, it's important to keep your self-esteem or pride intact
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
But even then, it's unlikely to make a significant difference in the outcome
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON, MIKE E. LOVE, TERRY SACHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Cal-zk4nc
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
They isolate their heads and stay in their saftey zones
Now what can you tell them
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
Hang on to your ego
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
They come on like their peaceful
But inside they're so uptight
They trip through the day
And waste all their thoughts at night
Now how can I say it
And how can I come on
When I know I'm guilty
Hang on to your ego
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
Now how can I say it
And how can I come on
When I know I'm guilty
So hang on to your ego
Hang on, but I know that you're gonna lose the fight
@justinpuga3522
My ideal PS:
SIDE ONE
Wouldn't It Be Nice (Brian)
You Still Believe In Me (Brian)
That's Not Me (sung by Mike)
Don't Talk (Brian, with acapella intro)
I'm Waiting For The Day (Brian)
Let's Go Away For Awhile (instrumental)
Sloop John B (Brian)
SIDE TWO
God Only Knows (sung by Bruce)
Hang On To Your Ego (sung by Brian with the backing vocals in the chorus and the woodwinds that appear on early takes)
Here Today (sung by Mikey)
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Brian)
Pet Sounds (instrumental)
Caroline, No (The vocals by Brian in their natural speed)
Bonus track: Trombone Dixie
@markanthony2088
Pet Sounds: 12 songs
Wouldn't it Be Nice
You Still Believe in Me
That's Not Me
Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
I'm Waiting For The Day
Let's Go Away For Awhile
God Only Knows
Hang Onto Your Ego
Here Today
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Pet Sounds
Caroline, No
@justinpuga3522
PET SOUNDS 14 songs
SIDE ONE
Wouldn't It Be Nice (Brian)
You Still Believe In Me (Brian)
That's Not Me (sung by Mike)
Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian)
I'm Waiting For The Day (Brian)
Let's Go Away For Awhile (instrumental)
The Little Girl I Once Knew (Brian)
SIDE TWO
God Only Knows (sung by Carl)
Trombone Dixie (with vocals by Carl)
Hang Onto Your Ego (sung by Brian with the backing vocals in the chorus and the overdubbed organ)
Here Today (sung by Mike)
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Brian)
Pet Sounds (instrumental)
Caroline, No (Brian)
That would be to me the greatest and unbeateable rock n roll album of all time
@internettrowel6930
is it very wrong of me
to usually skip the Mike Love songs
when I'm listenin to the album?
his voice, though I know it plays a part
in the harmonies of other songs,
when it stands alone,
maybe it's the delivery, I dunno,
but it kinda gets on my nerves.
@denialfalls2724
I can’t stop laughing and shaking my head at the idea of this song being considered too radical or inappropriate for the times. It’s such a benign message.
@californiaslastgasp6847
It’s a reference to “ego death” that supposedly occurs during use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD.
@ronsaunders7294
just by Love, he was a stick in the mud, didn't want a drug reference
@jokkergar
@Ron Saunders al too didn't like it dunno about the other bb's
@Retards_Do_Airsoft_Beach
@Fishman Its bren ruoured that Carl found the song most interesting snd found the nee lyrical capacities pre god only knows as a big step into the future.
@77greaves56
Didn't Love just assume the song was about him, on account of his massive ego? (Which I assume it was...)
@markcoltonjr.2979
My favorite line is, “How can I come on, when I know I’m guilty?” I love you Brian Wilson!
@jacquesdelyons3516
The melody and sound ensemble in this track is fucking incredible. This album showed how rich and intelligent good pop music can be.
@jimnolan4105
Now what can you tell them?.....
@ryanp849
I get the impression many find this to be the better version, but I have the to say the final vocal mix in "I Know There's An Answer" is immaculate. This one didn't get the same treatment unfortunately, and I'm honestly not crazy about the way Brian is delivering "ego-o-o."
And to be honest, I think most people respond to this because it has a "cooler" title haha. I like the idea of "hang on to your ego," as a phrase and as a kind of mantra, but "I Know there's an answer, but I have to find it by myself... " has a stronger, more universal element to it