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
Little Honda
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna wake you up early cause I'm gonna take a ride with you.
We're goin' down to the Honda shop, I'll tell you what we're gonna do.
Put on a ragged sweatshirt, I'll take you anywhere you want me to.
[Chorus:]
First gear, it's all right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Second gear, I'll lean right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Faster, it's all right.
It's not a big motorcycle,
Just a groovy little motorbike.
It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys,
That two-wheeled bike.
We'll ride on out of the town
To anyplace I know you like.
[Chorus]
It climbs the hills like a Matchless,
Cause my Honda' built really light.
When I go in to the turns
Better hang on tight.
I'd better turn on the lights
So we can ride my Honda tonight.
[Chorus]
The Beach Boys' song "Little Honda" is a catchy tune with optimistic lyrics. The song is about two people going out for a motorcycle ride on a Honda motorbike. The song's upbeat tempo and enthusiastic chorus immediately set the tone for a fun and carefree ride. The chorus encourages the Honda rider to go faster and faster through the gears of the motorbike, illustrating the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that comes from riding a motorcycle. The song's lyrics also speak to the appeal of the compact and maneuverable Honda motorbike, perfectly suited for zipping through tight turns and climbing hills with ease.
The verse in the song describes the preparations for the riders before they go out on their ride. The singer wakes the other person early to start the adventure early in the day. They head out to the Honda store, put on comfortable clothing, and prepare to explore the countryside. The phrase "I'll take you anywhere you want me to" implies a sense of trust between the two as they discover new places to explore on their motorcycle journey.
Overall, "Little Honda" is a joyous song that celebrates the feeling of freedom that comes from riding a motorcycle. The upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and optimistic lyrics of the song have made it a classic in the Beach Boys' catalog.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna wake you up early cause I'm gonna take a ride with you.
I will wake you up early in the morning because I want to take a ride with you.
We're goin' down to the Honda shop, I'll tell you what we're gonna do.
We will go to the Honda shop, and I will let you know what we will do there.
Put on a ragged sweatshirt, I'll take you anywhere you want me to.
Wear a worn-out sweatshirt and I will take you wherever you want to go.
[Chorus:] First gear, it's all right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster) Second gear, I'll lean right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster) Third gear, hang on tight (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster) Faster, it's all right.
We will go through first, second, and third gear, and you can tell Honda to go faster while we ride. Riding fast is okay.
It's not a big motorcycle, Just a groovy little motorbike.
This is not a huge motorcycle, but rather a cool and small motorbike.
It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys, That two-wheeled bike.
Riding this two-wheeled bike is more enjoyable than anything else.
We'll ride on out of the town To anyplace I know you like.
We will leave the town and ride to any place you want to go that I am familiar with.
[Chorus]
Repeats the chorus.
It climbs the hills like a Matchless, Cause my Honda' built really light.
This Honda motorbike can climb hills like a Matchless motorcycle because it is lightweight.
When I go in to the turns Better hang on tight.
When I go into turns while riding, it is better to hold on tight.
I'd better turn on the lights So we can ride my Honda tonight.
I should turn on the lights, so we can ride my Honda tonight.
[Chorus]
Repeats the chorus.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brian Wilson, Michael Love
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GOMUKATAYU2
この曲が生まれたきっかけは、本田技研のアメリカでの一大広告キャンペーンです。
当時日本でオートバイが「カミナリ族」と呼ばれる荒くれものの乗り物というイメージがあったように、
アメリカでも「ブラックジャケット」と呼ばれる荒くれものの乗り物というイメージがあったのです。
そこでホンダは
「You meet nicest people on a Honda」
というキャッチコピーの広告を大規模展開して、
低排気量のオートバイを手軽な移動手段としてアピールしたのです。
アカデミー賞の授賞式の中継でもCMを流したのですから、
アップルがマッキントッシュの発売の際に、
「スーパーボウル」のハーフタイムでCMを流したくらい大がかりだったのです。
それにしても、「リトル・ホンダ」という曲は知っていたのですが、
「サーフィンUSAが非常に有名な、ザ・ビーチ・ボーイズ」の曲だとは知りませんでした。
@Avaruuskatti1
Thanks James May for singing this song
@johnkramer7161
It's Mike. I'd know that nasal twang anywhere.
@rogan6947
He's referring to James May singing it in the Top Gear Vietnam special
@MrRailfan
one of the presenters on Top Gear. On the Vietnam special episode, they drove motorcycles from South Vietnam to the North and in one of the scenes James May sang the lyrics from this song.
@johnkramer7161
@Ttrucker It's Mike singing on the record. As far as Top Gear goes I wouldn't know since I don't watch it.
@trantu240
@George Bobb he is a mc of top gears
@juliekeller499
Absolutely love this song. Thank you James May for signing this song
@xvious3329
yeah i just rewatching the vietnam special and come here
@theautisticintrovertedluca3634
Jeremy Clarkson:
"I HATE YOU!"
@tommywilliams5734
I was a kid in the 70s and the Honda shop was at the end of our street. It was a magical place to hang out in. The 80s economy put it out of business. Tough on small independent dealers.. From my local shop I bought a 77 xr75, 79 xl100s, 1985 rebel, 1986 cb450, 1984 cb700s. Good Times.