The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of… Read Full Bio ↴The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in the history of popular music due to their intricate vocal harmonies, studio experiments, and novel approaches to pop songwriting. Rooted in doo-wop and rock and roll, their early string of vocal surf hits defined the '60s California Sound. For a period afterward, they notably delved into progressive pop styles. often combining elements from classical and jazz in innovative ways.

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

Here Today
The Beach Boys Lyrics

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It starts with just a little glance now
Right away you're thinkin' 'bout romance now
You know you ought to take it slower
But you just can't wait to get to know her

A brand new love affair is such a beautiful thing
But if you're not careful think about the pain it can bring

It makes you feel so bad
It makes your heart feel sad
It makes your days go wrong
It makes your nights so long

You've got to keep in mind love is here today
And it's gone tomorrow
It's here and gone so fast

Right now you think that she's perfection
This time is really an exception
Well you know I hate to be a downer
But I'm the guy she left before you found her

Well I'm not saying you won't have a good love with her
But I keep on remembering things like they were

She made me feel so bad
She made my heart feel sad
She made my days go wrong
And made my nights so long

You've got to keep in mind love is here today
And it's gone tomorrow
It's here and gone so fast

Keep in mind love is here today
And it's gone tomorrow
It's here and gone so fast

Love is here today

And it's gone tomorrow
It's here and gone so fast

Overall Meaning

Here Today by The Beach Boys is a classic cautionary tale about the ups and downs of getting into a new romantic relationship. The song begins by describing the excitement and anticipation that come with meeting someone new, but quickly segues into a warning about the potential consequences of moving too quickly. The singer advises taking things slow and not rushing into anything without considering the potential for pain and heartache.

As the song progresses, the singer becomes more reflective and contemplative, reminiscing about his own experiences with the woman in question. Despite acknowledging that he may not be the best person to offer advice (since he was left heartbroken by this woman himself), the singer warns that love can be fleeting and often disappears even faster than it appears. The final chorus echoes this sentiment, repeating the refrain that "love is here today and gone tomorrow."

The lyrics of Here Today are a classic example of The Beach Boys' signature brand of introspection and emotional depth. While they're perhaps best known for upbeat and bubbly pop hits like "California Girls" and "Surfin' USA," the band was just as capable of exploring serious themes and ideas in their music. Here Today is a prime example of this more mature and contemplative side of The Beach Boys' sound, and its message about the fleeting nature of love is just as relevant today as it was when the song was first released in 1966.

Line by Line Meaning

It starts with just a little glance now
It all begins with a quick look at a person that strikes your fancy.

Right away you're thinkin' 'bout romance now
Instantaneously, thoughts of being in love with that person inundate your mind.

You know you ought to take it slower
Though you feel immediate attraction, it is wiser to proceed slowly when starting a new relationship.

But you just can't wait to get to know her
Despite understanding the importance of pacing yourself, you're too excited to wait and want to get to know them right away.

A brand new love affair is such a beautiful thing
A fresh relationship filled with love and excitement is truly a wonderful experience.

But if you're not careful think about the pain it can bring
However, if you're not cautious, a budding relationship can lead to heartbreak and sorrow.

It makes you feel so bad
The hurt caused by a failed relationship is overwhelming.

It makes your heart feel sad
The heartache is tangible and brings extreme sadness.

It makes your days go wrong
The emotional pain seeps into your everyday life and can make it difficult to function.

It makes your nights so long
Even at night, the hurt persists and makes it difficult to sleep.

You've got to keep in mind love is here today
It's important to remember that love is temporary and can only be experienced in the present.

And it's gone tomorrow
Love can slip away as quickly as it arrived.

It's here and gone so fast
The experience of love can be fleeting and is over before you know it.

Right now you think that she's perfection
In the present moment, it's easy to idealize the person you're in love with.

This time is really an exception
You may believe that your love is different and unique from others you've experienced in the past.

Well you know I hate to be a downer
Despite wanting to believe that this relationship will be different, deep down you realize the potential for heartbreak and disappointment.

But I'm the guy she left before you found her
You can use the previous relationship of the person you are in love with as an example of how quickly love can end.

Well I'm not saying you won't have a good love with her
It's possible that you will have a happy and fulfilling relationship with this person.

But I keep on remembering things like they were
However, it's important to remember the past and recognize the potential for pain in this new relationship.

Keep in mind love is here today
Once again, it's crucial to remember that love only exists in the present moment.

And it's gone tomorrow
Just as quickly as love arrived, it can disappear.

It's here and gone so fast
The brevity of love is something to be aware of and to appreciate while it lasts.

Love is here today
Love can only be experienced in the present moment.

And it's gone tomorrow
Love can slip away as quickly as it arrived.

It's here and gone so fast
The time spent in love may feel incredibly brief, but it's still a worthwhile experience to have.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN WILSON, TONY ASHER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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