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
Sail On Sailor
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through restful waters and deep commotion
Often frightened, unenlightened
Sail on, sail on sailor
I wrest the waters, fight Neptune's waters
Sail through the sorrows of life's marauders
Unrepenting, often empty
Caught like a sewer rat alone but I sail
Bought like a crust of bread, but oh do I wail
Seldom stumble, never crumble
Try to tumble, life's a rumble
Feel the stinging I've been given
Never ending, unrelenting
Heartbreak searing, always fearing
Never caring, persevering
Sail on, sail on, sailor
I work the seaways, the gale-swept seaways
Past shipwrecked daughters of wicked waters
Uninspired, drenched and tired
Wail on, wail on, sailor
Always needing, even bleeding
Never feeding all my feelings
Damn the thunder, must I blunder
There's no wonder all I'm under
Stop the crying and the lying
And the sighing and my dying
Sail on, sail on sailor
Sail on, sail on sailor
Sail on, sail on sailor
Sail on, sail on sailor
Sail on, sail on sailor
Sail on, sail on sailor
Sail on, sail on sailor
The lyrics of The Beach Boys' song Sail On Sailor portray an introspective and emotional journey of a sailor, who despite encountering unpredictable and daunting situations at sea, refuses to give up and perseveres. The first two stanzas describe the sailor's journey through rough and calm waters, acknowledging his fears and vulnerabilities, yet urging himself to continue sailing. The third stanza highlights the sailor's loneliness and struggles as he feels trapped and bought like a sewer rat or a crust of bread. However, through it all, he remains determined to sail on and not give up.
The fourth stanza describes the sailor's experiences of life at sea, coming across shipwrecks and wicked waters, but he remains uninspired and tired. The final stanza conveys the sailor's emotional turmoil where he feels unloved and unappreciated. Despite the heartbreak and pain, he urges himself to stop crying, lying, and sighing, and instead, continue with unwavering determination to sail on.
Overall, the lyrics of Sail On Sailor highlight the challenges of being a sailor, being alone and vulnerable at sea, and the perseverance required to keep going despite emotional and physical obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
I sailed an ocean, unsettled ocean
I embarked on a challenging journey, filled with uncertainty and unpredictability.
Through restful waters and deep commotion
I have experienced moments of peace and tranquility, as well as turbulent and chaotic experiences.
Often frightened, unenlightened
I have been scared and unsure at times, lacking knowledge and insight into my situation.
Sail on, sail on sailor
Despite the challenges I face, I must keep going and persevere.
I wrest the waters, fight Neptune's waters
I struggle and battle against the forces of nature and the uncontrollable circumstances of life.
Sail through the sorrows of life's marauders
I navigate my way through the many hardships and difficulties that life throws my way.
Unrepenting, often empty
I have made mistakes and feel regret, and sometimes feel hollow and unfulfilled.
Caught like a sewer rat alone but I sail
I feel trapped and isolated, but I continue to move forward despite my circumstances.
Bought like a crust of bread, but oh do I wail
I feel like I have paid a high price for my struggles and hardships, and sometimes express my pain through crying.
Seldom stumble, never crumble
I rarely fall or fail completely, and I don't give up easily.
Try to tumble, life's a rumble
Even when life is difficult and rough, I attempt to keep my balance and stability.
Feel the stinging I've been given
I feel the pain and consequences of my actions and circumstances.
Never ending, unrelenting
My struggles and hardships seem to go on forever, and they do not let up.
Heartbreak searing, always fearing
I experience intense emotional pain, and I am constantly anxious and afraid.
Never caring, persevering
Despite the pain and fear I feel, I continue to move forward and stay determined.
Sail on, sail on, sailor
I remind myself to keep going and never give up.
I work the seaways, the gale-swept seaways
I navigate through difficult and treacherous waters, facing challenges and dangers along the way.
Past shipwrecked daughters of wicked waters
I have encountered those who have experienced great loss and devastation, due to difficult circumstances.
Uninspired, drenched and tired
I sometimes lack motivation and inspiration, and I feel exhausted and drained.
Wail on, wail on, sailor
I express my pain and sorrow through crying and emotional expression.
Always needing, even bleeding
I constantly require support and help, and sometimes I suffer for it.
Never feeding all my feelings
I don't always fulfill my emotional needs or express my true feelings.
Damn the thunder, must I blunder
I feel frustrated and angry at the obstacles and challenges in my path, wondering if I will make mistakes or fail.
There's no wonder all I'm under
It is no surprise that I am under stress and pressure, given my circumstances.
Stop the crying and the lying
I want to stop feeling sad and expressing emotions I don't truly feel.
And the sighing and my dying
I want to stop expressing my sadness and despair and instead focus on living and moving forward.
Sail on, sail on sailor
I remind myself to keep going and never give up, even when things are tough.
Sail on, sail on sailor
I continue to motivate myself and push forward, despite the hardships I encounter.
Sail on, sail on sailor
I never give up and continue to persevere, no matter the cost.
Sail on, sail on sailor
I remind myself to stay resilient and strong, and to always move forward.
Sail on, sail on sailor
Despite the difficulties I face, I must always continue to move forward, no matter the cost.
Sail on, sail on sailor
I continue to remind myself to persevere and move forward, no matter how difficult things may be.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson, Jack Rieley, Raymond Louis Kennedy, Tandyn Almer, Van Dyke Parks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roblester2110
I sailed an ocean, unsettled ocean
Through restful waters and deep commotion
Often frightened, unenlightened
Sail on, sail on sailorI wrest the waters, fight Neptune's waters
Sail through the sorrows of life's marauders
Unrepenting, often empty
Sail on, sail on sailorCaught like a sewer rat alone but I sail
Bought like a crust of bread, but oh do I wailSeldom stumble, never crumble
Try to tumble, life's a rumble
Feel the stinging I've been given
Never ending, unrelenting
Heartbreak searing, always fearing
Never caring, persevering
Sail on, sail on, sailorI work the seaways, the gale-swept seaways
Past shipwrecked daughters of wicked waters
Uninspired, drenched and tired
Wail on, wail on, sailor
@mikeb5745
Possibly the best Beach Boys song that most have never heard. Many people who hear it for the first time never guess it is the Beach Boys. Top three for me from their collection.
@chantelsieh3909
You are so right. I heard it on something and had to find out what it was! I was so surprised to find out it was Beach Boys!
@Unfamous_Buddha
Oh, same here. I was born in 1952. I was never a big fan but I did like some of their music but never bought any. I had heard and liked this song before but never knew it was the Beach Boys. Now it goes through my head a lot and I come to Youtube to hear it again.
@Unfamous_Buddha
@@chantelsieh3909–
My same feeling, exactly.
@Toonhead
(EXCUSE MY USE OF CAPS, LEGALLY BLIND IN ONE AND POOR VISION IN THE OTHER)
YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, MIKE….THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I’VE HEARD THIS SONG. NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED IT WAS THE BEACH BOYS. GREAT SONG.
@garyschultz883
In several ways Sail on Sailor Wasn't a Beach Boys song.... drummer
Dennis Wilson couldn't be bothered & was off surfing so someone else did the drums....the vocals (though tried by Dennis) we're actually done by Blondie Chapman...none of the BB wrote the lyrics ..& S.African Van Dyke Parks & Brian composed the music..
I've read Carl exercised the most creative control..a lot was going on behind the scenes ...books have been written for anyone interested in the FANTASTIC music
& the boys behind it from Hawthorne CA.
Im no expert I just googled a bit so maybe
Google got some stuff wrong...
@upstatenoizepollution7342
Blondie Chaplin tears this up- I still get chills hearing this! Thank you for sharing. I remember when the "House of Guitars" commercial in the 70's used this in their ad, I was like " I KNOW THAT SONG?!" -lmao
@nicholas70paul
Yw :)
@christopherhendricks4369
Such an underrated song. The beach boys are known for their 60s hits but this song and the Holland album are both overlooked for how great they really are.
@patrickreilly6588
There's more to the Beach Boys than that surf music.....
Brian's a genious.