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

Honkin' Down the Highway
The Beach Boys Lyrics

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Honkin' honkin' down the gosh darn highway
Tryin' tryin' to get past them cars
Got a got a little date with an angel
She's the one that said she'd go with me
To see a little movie tonight
(Honk honk honkin' down the highway)

Her folks told me that she's lonely

And she loves me only
She's used to running away from guys

Prayin' prayin' that she'll hold me tight (hoo!)
And hopin' hopin' that she'll see the light
Who cares if I gotta spend my money
Even if I have to act funny
To go and steal her heart away
(Honk honk honkin' down the highway)

Take it one little inch at a time now
'Til we're feelin' fine now
I guess I've got a way with girls

Honk honk honkin' down the highway
Honk honk honkin' down the highway
Honk honk honkin' down the highway
Honk honk honkin' down the highway
Honk honk honkin' down the highway

Take it one little inch at a time now
'Til we're feelin' fine now
I guess I've got a way with girls

Prayin' prayin' that she'll hold me tight (yeah)
(Honk honk honkin' down the highway)
And hopin' hopin' that she'll see the light
(Honk honk honkin' down the highway)

Who cares if I gotta spend the night
(Honk honk honkin' down the highway)

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' "Honkin' Down the Highway" is a peppy and upbeat rock song about a teenage boy trying to get to his date's house to take her to a movie. The song is filled with references to the singer's car honking, his date, and his struggle to get through traffic. It's a feel-good song that captures the spirit of teenage romance and all of its challenges.

The lyrics of "Honkin' Down the Highway" are focused on the singer's quest to have a successful date with his girlfriend. He's trying to get past all of the cars on the highway so that he can pick up his date and take her to see a movie. Even though it's a struggle, he's determined to make it work. His girlfriend's parents tell him that she loves him and is waiting for him, and he's hoping that his date will see the light and give him a chance to steal her heart away. The repetition of the phrase "honkin' down the highway" is a metaphor for the singer's struggles in life and love, and his determination to overcome them no matter what it takes.

Overall, "Honkin' Down the Highway" is a fun and engaging song that captures the essence of teenage romance. It's a song about optimism, determination, and the desire to connect with someone on a deeper level. The song has a great rhythm and catchy melody that make it easy to sing along to, and it's a perfect example of the Beach Boys' ability to create classic rock songs that stand the test of time.

Line by Line Meaning

Honkin' honkin' down the gosh darn highway
Driving down the road as fast as I can

Tryin' tryin' to get past them cars
Trying to maneuver through traffic

Got a got a little date with an angel
I have a date with a special girl

She's the one that said she'd go with me
She agreed to go on a date with me

To see a little movie tonight
We're going to watch a movie tonight

(Honk honk honkin' down the highway)
Still driving fast down the road

Her folks told me that she's lonely
Her family says she's looking for companionship

And she loves me only
She has feelings only for me

She's used to running away from guys
She has a history of not staying with guys for long

Prayin' prayin' that she'll hold me tight (hoo!)
I hope she will embrace me

And hopin' hopin' that she'll see the light
I wish she would understand my feelings