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
Let Him Run Wild
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tears filled my eyes
And when I heard you talk with him
I couldn't stand his lies
And now before he tries it
I hope you realize it girl
(Let him run wild)
Let him run
(Let him run wild)
(He'll find out baby)
Let him run
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
(Guess you know I waited for you girl)
He'll do the same to other girls
That he did to you
Then one day he'll run in to one
That's gonna hurt him too
So before he makes you over
I'm gonna take you over
(Let him run wild)
(He don't care baby)
Let him run
(Let him run wild)
(He'll find out baby)
Let him run
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
(Guess you know I waited for you girl)
All the dreams you shared with him
You might as well forget
I know you need a truer love
And that's what you'll get
And now that you don't need him
Well he can have his freedom
(Let him run wild)
(He don't care baby)
Let him run
(Let him run wild)
(He'll find out baby)
Let him run
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
Let him run
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
Let him run
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
Let him run
In "Let Him Run Wild," Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys tells a heartbroken girl to let her unfaithful ex-lover go and move on from their relationship. As the girl walks with her new beau, tears fill the singer's eyes, and he reflects on the pain of hearing her talk with her former partner, who he believes is dishonest. Anticipating that the ex will try to win her back, the singer urges the girl not to fall for his tricks and instead let him go, warning that he will hurt other women as he hurt her. The singer is confident that the girl will find true love with someone else and be happy, and he is determined to help her by taking over her heart and pursuing her himself.
The lyrics are straightforward and direct, but they are delivered with the Beach Boys' signature blend of harmonies and instrumentation. The melody is catchy and upbeat, with a driving bassline and soaring vocals that give the impression of a carefree spirit. However, the lyrics reveal a deeper sadness and frustration, capturing the pain of unrequited love and wishing for someone who has moved on to be happy. "Let Him Run Wild" showcases the Beach Boys' ability to balance sunny pop melodies with poignant themes of heartbreak and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
When I watched you walk with him
As I observed you walking alongside him
Tears filled my eyes
I was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears began to flow down my face
And when I heard you talk with him
Likewise, when I listened to the conversation between you and him
I couldn't stand his lies
I could not bear his deceitful words and actions
And now before he tries it
Before he attempts to deceive you further
I hope you realize it girl
I hope you come to the realization, my dear
(Let him run wild)
Allow him to do what he wants
(He don't care baby)
He is indifferent and does not care, my love
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
(Let him run wild)
Allow him to do what he wants
(He'll find out baby)
He will learn his lesson, my love
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
Let him run wild, let him do what he pleases
(Guess you know I waited for you girl)
You can probably surmise that I waited for you, my dear
He'll do the same to other girls
He will behave similarly towards other women
That he did to you
As he treated you
Then one day he'll run in to one
Eventually, he will come across a woman
That's gonna hurt him too
Who will cause him pain, as well
So before he makes you over
Thus, before he manipulates and transforms you
I'm gonna take you over
I will take over and care for you
(Let him run wild)
Allow him to do what he wants
(He don't care baby)
He is indifferent and does not care, my love
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
(Let him run wild)
Allow him to do what he wants
(He'll find out baby)
He will learn his lesson, my love
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
Let him run wild, let him do what he pleases
(Guess you know I waited for you girl)
You can probably surmise that I waited for you, my dear
All the dreams you shared with him
All the aspirations you confided in him
You might as well forget
You should dismiss them from your mind
I know you need a truer love
I recognize that you deserve a more genuine and sincere love
And that's what you'll get
And that is precisely what I will provide
And now that you don't need him
Since you no longer require his presence
Well he can have his freedom
He can have his liberty, for all I care
(Let him run wild)
Allow him to do what he wants
(He don't care baby)
He is indifferent and does not care, my love
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
(Let him run wild)
Allow him to do what he wants
(He'll find out baby)
He will learn his lesson, my love
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
(Let him run run run run wild baby)
Let him run wild, let him do what he pleases
Let him run
Let him carry on doing what he wants
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL LOVE, 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