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
He Gives Speeches
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He gives speeches, always reaches out a lot, led him to discover
Silken hair, more silken hair fell on his face, and no wind was blowing
Stepped across the golden fields and saw that she was soon trailing after
She was nice and didn't fight, he fell into her friendly persuasion
Late that night while by a streetlight, little hands shadowed on the ceiling
The opening lines of The Beach Boys' song "He Gives Speeches" paint a picture of a man who is trying to assert himself as a political figure, but is ultimately unable to do so due to his personal struggles. The lyrics suggest that this man is constantly giving speeches, but is always being put back in bed where he wrote his satire. This implies that the man is perhaps not taken seriously as a politician, and that his attempts to sway the public are ultimately unsuccessful.
As the song progresses, we see the man's personal struggles come to the forefront. He is shown to be haunted by memories of a woman with "silken hair" who he saw walking in a field. He describes her as "nice" and says that he "fell into her friendly persuasion." However, the fact that he is remembering this encounter late at night, by a streetlight with "little hands shadowed on the ceiling," suggests that he is struggling with feelings of guilt or regret. Perhaps he let this woman go, or perhaps he made a mistake in his interactions with her.
Taken as a whole, "He Gives Speeches" is a poignant commentary on politics, personal struggle, and the desire for connection. It suggests that even those who are in positions of power can struggle with personal demons, and that the pursuit of political success can come at a great personal cost.
Line by Line Meaning
He gives speeches, but they put him back in bed where he wrote his satire
He delivers public speeches, but after that he is taken back to his room where he writes his sarcastic comments.
He gives speeches, always reaches out a lot, led him to discover
While giving speeches, he always tries to connect with his audience, which helped him make a new discovery.
Silken hair, more silken hair fell on his face, and no wind was blowing
Her hair was soft like silk, and though there was no breeze, it kept falling on his face.
Stepped across the golden fields and saw that she was soon trailing after
He walked through the fields, and soon enough, he saw her walking behind him.
She was nice and didn't fight, he fell into her friendly persuasion
She was kind and didn't argue, and he eventually got swayed by her convincing words.
Late that night while by a streetlight, little hands shadowed on the ceiling
During the wee hours of the night, while sitting under a streetlamp, he saw shadows of little hands on the ceiling.
Contributed by Adeline J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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