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
I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause he's making me stay in my room
(Darn my dad)
I came in a little late
And my ol' man he just blew his mind
(Blew it bad)
He cut off my hair in my sleep
I wish I could see outside
But he tacked up boards on my window
(Gosh it's dark)
I can't hit the surf, can't drag
Can't do a dog-goned thing
(Wish I could)
I tried to call up my chick
But he jerked my phone right out of the wall
They gave me some breadcrumbs
And a little glass of water
And they're out there eating steak
(Smells so good)
I ripped up my wardrobe
And I'm growing a beard
Oh when will they let me come out
I'd listen to my radio
But he took it and he's using it in his own room
(Now it's gone)
I wish I could do some homework
But I got suspended from school
(Blew my cool)
I'm bugged at my ol' man
And he doesn't even know where it's at
The Beach Boys' "I'm Bugged at My Ol' Man" is a song about a son's frustration with his father's overbearing nature. The lyrics describe the singer's feeling of being trapped in his room, with his father restricting him from everything he loves, like surfing or talking to his girlfriend.
The song begins with the son being angry at his father for forcing him to stay in his room. The father's disciplinary actions are harsh, which makes the son resentful. He's not allowed to surf, hang out with his girlfriend, or listen to his radio, and there are even boards on his windows so he can't see outside. The father took everything away from him, even his surfboard, because he came home late one night, which shows how controlling he is.
The son is isolated, with only breadcrumbs and a little water to eat while the rest of the family eats steak. His frustration mounts as he tears up his wardrobe and grows a beard, hoping to get out soon. The ending chorus repeats "I'm bugged at my ol' man, and he doesn't even know where it's at," which underscores the son's feeling that his father doesn't understand him or his teenage needs.
Overall, "I'm Bugged at My Ol' Man" is a relatable song about the generation gap between parents and their children. The son's anger and desire for freedom resonate with many people who have struggled with overbearing parents.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm bugged at my ol' man
I'm really mad at my dad
Cause he's making me stay in my room
He's punishing me by not letting me leave my room
I came in a little late
I arrived home a little after curfew
And my ol' man he just blew his mind
And my dad got really angry
Why did he sell my surfboard?
Why did he get rid of my surfboard?
He cut off my hair in my sleep
He shaved my head while I was sleeping
I wish I could see outside
I wish I could look out the window
But he tacked up boards on my window
But he covered my window with boards so I can't see outside
I can't hit the surf, can't drag
I can't go surfing, can't do anything fun
Wish I could
I really wish I could go surfing or do something else
I tried to call up my chick
I tried to call my girlfriend
But he jerked my phone right out of the wall
But he pulled the phone out of the wall so I couldn't call her
They gave me some breadcrumbs
They only gave me a tiny bit of food
And a little glass of water
And only a small amount of water
And they're out there eating steak
Meanwhile, everyone else gets to eat delicious steak
Smells so good
The smell of the steak is making me really hungry
I ripped up my wardrobe
I tore all my clothes apart
And I'm growing a beard
And I'm not shaving so now I have a beard
Oh when will they let me come out
When will they finally let me leave this room
I'd listen to my radio
I'd like to listen to the radio
But he took it and he's using it in his own room
But he took my radio and now he's using it in his own room
Now it's gone
Now I don't have a radio anymore
I wish I could do some homework
I wish I had the chance to do my homework
But I got suspended from school
But I got in trouble at school and was suspended
Blew my cool
I lost my temper and did something to get suspended
And he doesn't even know where it's at
And he doesn't even understand why I'm so mad at him
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN WILSON
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