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
Merry Christmas Baby
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She don't want to hold me (oh, no!)
And kiss my lips anymore
She's gonna leave me
And she don't believe me
That I'll be true now
Well maybe she don't love me
But why'd she do it this time of year?
She knows that I'll miss her
And I'll want to kiss her
If just for Christmas
[Chorus]
Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby
Tell me, what did I do
To really convince you
That I'm not the guy anymore?
Take back my ring now
I'll do anything now
But please forgive me
I made my mistake but
I'm willing to wake up
And never mess around anymore
Oh why did we break up?
There's still time to make up
If just for Christmas
[Chorus]
I made my mistake but
I'm willing to wake up
And never mess around anymore
Oh why did we break up?
There's still time to make up
If just for Christmas
[Chorus]
Merry Christmas, baby
In The Beach Boys' song Merry Christmas Baby, the singer is expressing his remorse over a recent breakup with his significant other, who has told him that she no longer wants to hold him or kiss him. The singer is heartbroken and feels that the woman doesn't believe that he will be loyal to her. He wonders why this had to happen during the holiday season, it seems like the time when people should be coming closer together, not pulling apart. Despite their recent differences, the singer still longs to be with his love, even if it's only for Christmas.
Throughout the song, the singer is pleading with his significant other to take him back, even casually mentioning his willingness to toss aside his engagement ring if it means that they can be together again. The man recognizes his mistakes and vows to change his ways as he seeks to make amends with his lover before the holiday season comes to an end. The song's chorus serves as a simple and effective message of holiday cheer, wishing his loved one a Merry Christmas with a touch of sadness and regret.
Overall, Merry Christmas Baby is a poignant and relatable song that reflects the ups and downs of romantic relationships during the festive season. It paints a picture of a man feeling lost without his girl and wanting nothing more than to rekindle the love that once was.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby she told me
My significant other said something to me
She don't want to hold me (oh, no!)
She no longer desires physical affection from me
And kiss my lips anymore
She doesn't want to engage romantically with me anymore
She's gonna leave me
She's planning on ending the relationship with me
And she don't believe me
She thinks I'm not being truthful
That I'll be true now
That I'll commit to being faithful
Well maybe she don't love me
Perhaps she doesn't have feelings of love for me
And is not thinkin' of me
She possibly doesn't have me on her mind
But why'd she do it this time of year?
Why did she choose the holiday season to break up with me?
She knows that I'll miss her
She's aware that I'll feel her absence
And I'll want to kiss her
I'll still have romantic desire for her
If just for Christmas
Even if it's only for the sake of the holiday season
[Chorus]
Refrain: 'Merry Christmas, baby'
Tell me, what did I do
Explain to me what led to this breakup
To really convince you
What did I do to make you fully believe it's over?
That I'm not the guy anymore?
What did I do to make you believe I'm not who I used to be?
Take back my ring now
Please return the symbol of our engagement/marriage
I'll do anything now
I'll do anything to make it right again
But please forgive me
Please grant me your forgiveness
I made my mistake but
I admit my fault
I'm willing to wake up
I'm ready to change and be better
And never mess around anymore
I promise to never cheat again
Oh why did we break up?
Why did our relationship end?
There's still time to make up
We can still mend our relationship
If just for Christmas
At least for the holiday season
[Chorus]
Refrain: 'Merry Christmas, baby'
I made my mistake but
I take responsibility for my actions
I'm willing to wake up
I'm ready to make a change
And never mess around anymore
I won't be unfaithful again
Oh why did we break up?
Why did our relationship end?
There's still time to make up
We can still reconcile
If just for Christmas
Even if it's temporary
[Chorus]
Refrain: 'Merry Christmas, baby'
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lou Baxter, Johnny Dudley Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lynley Halajian
I grewup in 1970
And i stared listning much latter in 1985
At my fair in sd i heard them over the loud speakers
My 2 aunts and uncial s went and all i got was a pin
When my uncial died he made shure i got his
Hat
So when i got to a concert i wear it
For him
I ve been to about 6 concerts and the close est i got
To the stage was 4th row bleachers from the stage
cbrb40
Some of my favorite Christmas music is from the Beach Boys,their songs make me so happy make me smile so much. those harmonies and melodies are beyond awesome, They were iconic. :)
CanadianAnimatorGuy
Every year when I was a kid decorating my tree my mother would play this album along with our other Christmas albums until the holidays were over. These Beach Boys Christmas tunes have always been my favourite. For my first holiday season away from home I'm relying on YouTube for my holiday music to help bring a little bit of home to university. Thanks a lot for the upload, it's really appreciated.
DaylightRobberyCA
One of the top christmas albums of all time. My personal favorite and will be forever. The vinyl comes out every december at my house.
David Grose
A nice little song. I like Mike’s voice on this . Love the background vocals. Love the drums.
Mikko Dan
Without this album its not Christmas for me soo thanks !!!!
Love it!
raceway24
I grew up on this listening to my dad's 8-track of Beach Boys Christmas. Became a yearly tradition. Was great music 30 years ago when I first started listening to it and I still enjoy it today. Thanks for posting.
CuyahogaMustang
This song is so addictive no matter what time of the year . Those drums about drive me crazy , Another one of Brian's trademarks . A good CD to get is the Beach Boys Ultimate Christmas .
nema1218
Love this song,but their best one is Little Saint Nick and Santa's Beard.The Beach Boys made amazing Christmas songs.Merry Christmas 2009!
Candace Heinemann
i agree
david hitchcock
i always loved this Christmas song by The Beach Boys!!
Merry Christmas!