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
Heroes And Villains: Children Were Raised
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been taken for lost and gone
And unknown for a long, long time
Fell in love years ago
With an innocent girl
From the Spanish and Indian home
Home of the heroes and villains
Once at night the cotillion squared the fight
And she was right in the rain of the bullets that eventually brought her down
But she's still dancing in the night
Unafraid of what a dude'll do in a town full of heroes and villains
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Stand or fall, I know there
Shall be peace in the valley
And it's all an affair
Of my life with the heroes and villains
My children were raised
You know they suddenly rise
They started slow long ago
Head=to-toe, healthy, weathy and wise
Ive been in this town so long
So long to the city
I'm fit with the stuff
To ride in the rough
And sunny down snuff I'm all right
By the heroes and
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
The lyrics to The Beach Boys' "Heroes and Villains" are cryptic, dreamlike, and open to interpretation. The song alludes to a place and time where the singer has been lost and almost forgotten, but is still connected to it in some way. He is in love with a girl from a mixed heritage home, and there is a sense of danger and violence that surrounds them, with mention of a fight where she was hit by bullets but still dancing in the night.
The song seems to be a reflection on life's journey and the heroes and villains one encounters along the way. The singer mentions his children being raised, implying a cycle of life and death. The final lines suggest that despite the chaos and violence, peace can still be found.
The song's cryptic lyrics were part of a larger "hero and villain" concept album that The Beach Boys were working on in the mid-1960s. The project was ambitious, and the band members would come up with ideas for sound effects and instrumentation while recording in the studio. Unfortunately, the project was never fully realized, and only a few tracks were released. Nevertheless, "Heroes and Villains" is now considered one of The Beach Boys' greatest songs and an important contribution to 1960s pop music.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been in this town so long that back in the city
I have lived in this town for so long that when I go back to the city, people do not recognize me anymore.
I've been taken for lost and gone
People did not recognize me and thought that I had gone missing.
And unknown for a long, long time
I remained unknown and unrecognized for a very long time.
Fell in love years ago
I fell in love many years ago.
With an innocent girl
The woman I fell in love with was innocent and pure.
From the Spanish and Indian home
She came from a home that had both Spanish and Indian cultural influences.
Home of the heroes and villains
Her home was located in a place where heroes and villains were born and raised.
Once at night the cotillion squared the fight
At one point, there was a fight during the cotillion dance event.
And she was right in the rain of the bullets that eventually brought her down
She was caught in the crossfire and was shot, which ultimately resulted in her death.
But she's still dancing in the night
Even though she is no longer alive, her spirit lives on through her love of dance.
Unafraid of what a dude'll do in a town full of heroes and villains
She was not afraid of anything or anyone in a town where people took on the roles of either heroes or villains.
Heroes and villains
These two archetypes play a significant role in this story.
Just see what you've done
To the heroes and the villains: look at the impact that your actions have had.
Stand or fall, I know there
Whether I succeed or fail, I understand that there will be peace in the end.
Shall be peace in the valley
Ultimately, there will be peace, despite everything that happens in this tumultuous story.
And it's all an affair
The events in this story are significant and meaningful.
Of my life with the heroes and villains
This is a story about my life with both heroes and villains.
My children were raised
I raised my children to be strong and resilient in the face of adversity.
You know they suddenly rise
My children are now grown up and thriving.
They started slow long ago
My children took a while to find their footing in the world.
Head-to-toe, healthy, wealthy and wise
Now, my children are doing well in every aspect of their lives.
I've been in this town so long
I have lived in this town for such a long time.
So long to the city
I have been in this town for so long that the city now feels like a distant memory.
I'm fit with the stuff
I am strong and able to handle anything life throws my way.
To ride in the rough
I can handle difficult situations with ease.
And sunny down snuff I'm all right
I am doing well, despite any challenges I may face.
Heroes and villains
The dichotomy of heroes and villains is still relevant in my life.
Just see what you've done
These archetypes have had a significant impact on my life, and I acknowledge their power and influence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN WILSON, VAN DYKE PARKS
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