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

Lana
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lana, Lana
Oh Lana, dear
Please come
Along with me

We'll go, we'll go (Lana, dear Lana, dear)
So far away (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)
So happy (Lana, dear)

We will be (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)

I'll show, I'll show (come with me, come with me)
You another world (come with me, come with me)
Alone with silver (come with me, come with me)
And gold (Lana, dear)

Don't dear, please don't (Lana, dear Lana, dear)
Don't be afraid (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)
It's heaven (Lana, dear)
I've been told (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)

Lana, Lana (come with me, come with me)
Oh Lana, dear (come with me, come with me)
Please come along (come with me, come with me)
With me (Lana, dear)

Lana, Lana (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)
Oh Lana, dear (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)

Please come along (Lana, dear, Lana, dear)
With me (Lana, dear)

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' song Lana is a love ballad that tells a story of a man named Lana who is taking his beloved, also named Lana, on a journey to another world. He invites her to come along with him and promises to take her so far away where they will be happy. He assures her that she should not be afraid because the place they are going is heaven on Earth. The lyrics are simple, repeating Lana's name as a form of endearment and emphasis on his message to her.

It is easy to assume that the song is about a romantic getaway, but the lyrics could also be interpreted as a symbolic message of escapism from reality. Lana could represent both the escape he is longing for and the actual woman who he desires to be with. The song's soothing melody and calming tone create a sense of comfort, amplifying the idea of warmth and relaxation in the world "Lana" is taking him to.

Line by Line Meaning

Lana Lana oh Lana dear
The singer is addressing Lana, a person he deeply desires to accompany him on a journey.

Please come along with me
The singer is urging Lana to accept his invitation and join him on this journey.

We'll go (Lana dear) we'll go (Lana dear)
The singer reassures Lana that the two of them will embark on this journey together.

So far away (Lana dear) (Lana dear)
The singer is suggesting that this journey will be a significant departure from their current lives.

So happy (Lana dear) we will be (Lana dear)
The singer is expressing hope that their journey will lead to increased happiness and fulfillment.

I'll show (come with me) I'll show (come with me)
The singer is confident that he can reveal something new and exciting to Lana.

You another world (come with me) (come with me)
The singer is offering to introduce Lana to a new, unexplored world.

Alone (come with me) with silver (come with me) and gold (Lana dear)
The singer implies that this world is rich with valuable resources, suggesting an exciting adventure is in store.

(Oooooooooooo)
This is a vocalization or sound effect that does not carry any explicit meaning.

(Oooooooooooo-ooooo)
This is a continuation of the sound effect. It's unclear if there is any intended meaning.

Don't dear (Lana dear) please don't (Lana dear)
The singer senses reluctance or fear on Lana's part and is attempting to assuage it.

Don't be afraid (Lana dear) (Lana dear)
The singer encourages Lana to be brave and trust him.

It's heaven (Lana dear) I've been told (Lana dear) (Lana dear)
The singer describes the destination of their journey as heavenly, promising the greatest reward imaginable.

Please (come with me) come along (come with me) with me (Lana dear)
The singer's urging for Lana to come with him strengthens with the repetition of the invitation.

Lana (Lana dear) Lana (Lana dear) oh Lana dear (Lana dear) (Lana dear)
The repetition of the name emphasizes Lana's importance to the song and the singer.

Please (Lana dear) come along (Lana dear) with me (Lana dear)
The singer is making a final plea to Lana, expressing his desire for her to share in this incredible adventure.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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