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
Lady Lynda
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lady, Lady
Won't you come here and lie, Lady Lynda, with me
We can lie in the green canyon meadow
And we'll hear the birds sing in the spring
Don't you know if you'll stay, Lady Lynda, with me
We can talk about love ever after
Lynda, won't you say that we can be near
Cannot deny there've been hard times
Ooh
Darlin', evolution is drawing us near
Look in my eyes, whoa
Lynda, won't you say that I am your man
Don't look surprised, it's all in his plan
Ooh
But darlin', evolution is drawing us near
Lie, Lady, lie
(Ooh Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
Now won't you stay, Lady Lynda, with me
We can talk about love ever after
When you lie, Lady Lynda, with me
(Ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
(Won't you, ooh, Lady, won't you stay, Lady, with me)
When you lie, Lady Lynda
Come along with me
(Ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
(Won't you lie with me)
(Darlin' you know you make my heart sing)
Won't you come along and sing a song (ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
Sing the song of love (Won't you lie with me)
(Darlin' your love is like the coming spring)
Won't you come along and sing a song (ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
Sing the song, my love (won't you stay with me)
(Darlin' your love is like the coming spring)
Won't you come along and sing a song (ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
Sing the song of love (Won't you lie with me)
(Darlin' your love is like the coming spring)
Won't you come along and sing a song (ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
(Won't you marry me?)
The Beach Boys song Lady Lynda centers around a man singing to a woman named Lynda, inviting her to come lie with him in a green meadow and talk about love. He implores her to stay with him and references hard times they have faced in the past, suggesting that their connection is drawing them together. The chorus repeats the plea for Lynda to lie with him and stay while they sing a song of love. The verses suggest a connection that transcends hardship and that the evolution of their relationship is bringing them closer together.
The song speaks to the hopeful and romantic nature of relationships, suggesting that even in times of hardship, love can connect people in a way that is worth fighting for. The use of nature imagery in the meadow and birds singing conveys a sense of peace and tranquility, further emphasizing the idea that love can provide refuge and solace even in the midst of turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady, Lady
The singer is calling out to Lady Lynda.
Lady, Lady
The singer is still calling out to Lady Lynda.
Won't you come here and lie, Lady Lynda, with me
The singer is inviting Lady Lynda to lie down with him in a green meadow.
We can lie in the green canyon meadow
The singer is suggesting that he and Lady Lynda can lie together in a green meadow.
And we'll hear the birds sing in the spring
While lying in the meadow, the singer suggests they will hear birds singing in the spring.
Don't you know if you'll stay, Lady Lynda, with me
The singer is telling Lady Lynda that if she stays with him they can talk about love forever.
We can talk about love ever after
The singer is suggesting that he and Lady Lynda can talk about love for the rest of their lives.
When you lie, Lady Lynda, with me
The singer is emphasizing the importance of Lady Lynda lying down with him together, for him to discuss love ever after.
Lynda, won't you say that we can be near
The singer is asking Lady Lynda if they can be near to each other.
Cannot deny there've been hard times
The singer acknowledges that there have been some difficult times between them.
Darling, evolution is drawing us near
The singer suggests that evolution is driving them close to each other.
Look in my eyes, whoa
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to look into his eyes.
Lynda, won't you say that I am your man
The singer wants Lady Lynda to acknowledge that he is her man.
Don't look surprised, it's all in his plan
The singer assures Lady Lynda that everything that's happening is part of some master plan.
But darling, evolution is drawing us near
The singer emphasizes how their closeness is driven by evolution.
Lie, Lady, lie
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to lie down with him in the meadow.
(Ooh Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
The singer repeats the line, asking Lady Lynda to lie down with him.
Now won't you stay, Lady Lynda, with me
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to stay with him.
Come along with me
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to come with him.
(Ooh, Lady, won't you lie, Lady)
The singer again asks Lady Lynda to lie down with him.
(Won't you lie with me)
The singer is asking Lady Lynda again to lie down with him.
(Darling you know you make my heart sing)
The singer expresses how Lady Lynda makes his heart sing.
Sing the song of love
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to sing the song of love.
(Darling your love is like the coming spring)
The singer is comparing Lady Lynda's love to the coming of spring.
(Won't you come along and sing a song)
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to come and sing a song with him.
(Won't you marry me?)
The singer is asking Lady Lynda to marry him.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Ronald S. Altbach, Alan C. Jardine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jacinta O Caoimh
I have always absolutely adored this song, my uncle played this on piano at my sister's wedding 38 years ago-it still makes me so happy-thank you for writing this xx
startraveler2000
Brilliant! A song that lingers in the memory like so many from the Beach Boys. Back in the day, the Beach Boys were rated second to the Beatles for producing quality music. I saw them live in Glasgow in 1969 and the atmosphere was electric . There's nothing comparable to them today and probably never will be.
Joan
Shoulda been first imho.
Linda PhillipH
I lost my darling wife Linda almost 3 years ago, but I love this song. How I wish she was here.
Nigel Lewis
Hi I am so sorry to read of your sad loss, 3 years ago she is still with you in spirit, even more, when you play this great Beach Boys song, and I truly believe you will be reunited with your Linda when it's your time to leave this world not quite yet she will be there for you God Bless Linda RIP Nige x
Tessa
It was a beautiful time to be alive. To share and experience love. I feel for you and I do believe Linda is in a better place.
José Felipe Guimarães Silva
My humbles, and simple condolences to everybody of your family, and closed friends of yours kins!!
Linda PhillipH
@José Felipe Guimarães Silva thankyou, gracias.
lyndah frency
Am still here in Africa😭
Wolfsky9
Hands-down, one of Al's finest musical moments-ever. Vastly underated both onstage & in the studio, Al was part of the glue that held the group together till Carl passed. This is gorgeous--onstage or the studio version! Sing On Al!! Wolfsky9