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
Hushabye
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah ah ah ah
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Hush hush
Hushabye
Hushabye
Oh my darlin' don't you cry
Guardian angels up above
Take care of the one I love
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Hush hush
Hushabye
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Hush hush
Hushabye
Oooo oooo oooo oooo
Lullabye and goodnight
In your dreams I hold you tight
Lullabye and goodnight
Til the dawn's early light
Pillows lying on your bed
Oh my darling rest your head
Sandman will be coming soon
Singing you a slumber tune
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Hush
Hush
Hushabye
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Hush
Hush
Hushabye
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
The Beach Boys' "Hushabye" is a lullaby or a comforting song that a person sings to a loved one to calm and soothe them to sleep. The song lyrics begin with the repetition of "Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo" and "Ah ah ah ah" throughout the song, which creates a dreamy atmosphere. The singer sings "Hush hush, hushabye, hushabye, hushabye, oh my darlin' don't you cry. Guardian angels up above, take care of the one I love." The first lines indicate that the singer wants to calm their loved one, and the guardian angels will protect them. The song creates a sense of reassurance and safety, that the person they are singing to is not alone and that they are surrounded by love and protection.
The second verse sings "Lullabye and goodnight, in your dreams, I hold you tight. Lullabye and goodnight, 'til the dawn's early light. Pillows lying on your bed, oh my darling, rest your head. Sandman will be coming soon singing you a slumber tune." These words wish that the person who this song is dedicated to dreams nice and eats well. They will be hugged by their loved ones and the Sandman will take them to a peaceful sleep.
Overall, this song is a soothing and comforting song that addresses the insecurities of a loved one, thus creating a mood of warmth and safety. "Hushabye" is not only the softest and prettiest song of The Beach Boys, but it is also one of the most beautiful lullabies ever written.
Line by Line Meaning
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo Ah ah ah ah
Vocalization and harmonization to set the mood and atmosphere.
Hush hush
Shh, quiet down and listen up.
Hushabye
A lullaby, a song to help you fall asleep.
Oh my darlin' don't you cry
Don't worry, everything will be okay.
Guardian angels up above
Spiritual beings watching over and protecting the ones we care for.
Take care of the one I love
Help and guide the one I care about.
Lullabye and goodnight
A pleasant and soothing tune to help you sleep.
In your dreams I hold you tight
In your subconscious, I am with you, comforting and caring for you.
Til the dawn's early light
Through the night, until the early hours of the morning.
Pillows lying on your bed
Comfortable cushions on which you can rest and sleep.
Oh my darling rest your head
Relax and let yourself drift off to sleep.
Sandman will be coming soon
The mythical being who brings sleep is on his way.
Singing you a slumber tune
Serene sounds to help you drift into slumber.
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo Hush Hush Hushabye Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo Hush Hush Hushabye Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo Ah ah ah ah
Continued vocalization to maintain the peaceful tone of the song.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOC POMUS, MORT SHUMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sharonramone7186
Nothing sounds more heavenly than Brian's amazing falsetto!💝
@Timliu92
The original is good, but I just love how Brian's arrangement simply adds an extra layer of emotional depth to the song. Not to mention the beautiful falsetto as well - he is truly a musical genius!
@thegreenwood6645
Yeah i like both versions but i like this one way more. I think it's more powerful.
@theccpisaparasite8813
@The Greenwood I've gotta agree I like this one better ... and that's saying something because I love the original. There is just something about the way the background vocals are are layered uniquely to highlight each one
@mattmammone2338
Was this recorded at Gold Star? That place was an instrument itself. Shame it burned down in 1984.
@Shellison1
I remember seeing the Beach Boys perform live in Atlantic City after Brian stopped touring with them. It was their cousin, Al Jardine, who sang the really high falsetto lines, and he sounded exactly like the original recordings. Carl did a lot of the high parts as well. Yes, Brian had a great voice but they all did. His genius is in the harmonic arrangements, which are still pretty much untouchable.
@mysticstylez134
What is the original? Is there a cover by The Beach Boys of another song or is there another version you guys are talking about?
@Asaav2004
One of the greatest bands of all time!
@Codpro5671
One of my favorite Beach Boys tunes, how can you beat these harmonies? How I wish Carl & Dennis were still here. Thank you Brian, it's beautiful.
@italianboy1963
Nobody could match Brian's voice like he had in the sixties.Just beautifull ear candy.