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
Johnny B. Good
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods up near the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
Go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunney sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad tracks
Engineers would see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin' to the rhythm that the drivers made
And people passing by would stop and say
My my but that little country boy can play
Go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Johnny B. Goode
In this song, The Beach Boys tell the story of a talented country boy named Johnny B. Goode who comes from Louisiana, near New Orleans. The song paints an image of Johnny's homestead, which is located near the evergreens deep in the woods. The boy lives in a log cabin made of wood and earth. Despite the fact that he never had the opportunity to learn how to read or write properly, he has a talent for playing the guitar that is astounding. He can make it ring like a bell, leaving listeners in awe.
The lyrics of this song also highlight the struggles of a young, talented guitarist who used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack and play it beneath the trees by the railroad tracks. There, he would sit in the shade, strumming along to the rhythm of the engines as they passed by. People walking by would stop to listen and could hardly believe the amazing music they heard. They would remark, "My my but that little boy can play." The song is full of energy, and the chorus reveals the urgency of the situation as Johnny B. Goode plays his guitar with finesse and skill.
Line by Line Meaning
He came from Louisiana, close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Goode was born and raised in Louisiana, near the city of New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods up near the evergreens
Johnny's home was in a remote area, surrounded by trees that remained green throughout the year.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Johnny's house was a simple log cabin built using natural materials found in the surrounding environment.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny was a country boy who grew up in the cabin in the woods.
He never ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny didn't have much schooling and struggled with basic literacy.
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
Despite his lack of formal education, Johnny was exceptionally talented at playing the guitar and could make it sound melodious like a bell.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunney sack
Johnny carried his guitar in a sack, which he carried on his back.
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad tracks
Johnny enjoyed playing his guitar while sitting under the trees near the railroad tracks.
Engineers would see him sittin' in the shade
The engineers driving the trains on the nearby tracks would catch a glimpse of Johnny resting in the shade while playing his guitar.
Strummin' to the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny would often play his guitar in sync with the sound of the passing trains that the drivers made.
And people passing by would stop and say
People who walked by Johnny while he played would stop and watch him play with amazement.
My my but that little country boy can play
People who stopped by to watch Johnny play would often express their awe at how talented he was despite growing up in a rural environment.
Go go
A call to action for Johnny to start playing his guitar.
Go Johnny go go
An enthusiastic cheer to encourage Johnny to continue playing his music.
Johnny B. Goode
A tribute to Johnny's musical abilities, with his name being used as both a title and a refrain throughout the song.
Lyrics © DistroKid, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
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