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
Santa's Beard
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to meet Santa Claus, the real real Santa
I want to see Santa Claus, the real real Santa
He wants to meet ol' Santa Claus
I took my brother to the department store
He wanted to show Santa his Christmas list
He stood in line and he shook like a leaf
He said, "Is that (that Santa) really Santa Claus,
Really really (the real Santa) Santa Claus?
Is that (that Santa) really Santa Claus, really really Santa?
(I hope he doesn't pull Santa's beard)
Is that (that Santa) really Santa Claus,
Really really (the real Santa) Santa?"
Hope he thinks that's Santa Claus
I picked him up and put him on Santa's lap
And then he pulled the pillow out of his shirt
He yanked the beard right on off of his chin
And in his eyes I could see he was hurt
He said, "You're not (not Santa) really Santa Claus,
You're really not (the real Santa) Santa Claus
You're not (not Santa) really Santa Claus,
You're really not Santa (he shouldn'ta pulled Santa's beard)
You're not (not Santa) Santa Claus,
You're really not (the real Santa) Santa"
He's just helpin' Santa Claus
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' Santa Claus
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (he shouldn'ta pulled Santa's beard) real Santa
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' Santa Claus
The lyrics of "Santa's Beard" by The Beach Boys tells a story of a young boy, who wants to meet the real Santa Claus. He takes his younger brother to the department store to see Santa Claus and maybe show him their Christmas list. The younger brother gets scared and nervous when he sees Santa, but eventually sits on his lap. However, he ends up pulling off Santa's beard, revealing that it was all just a disguise. The boy is disappointed but the singer reassures him that the man he met was just helping Santa Claus and that the real Santa Claus will be coming on Christmas Eve.
This song captures the excitement and innocence of children during the Christmas season. The desire to meet Santa reinforces the magical and mystical nature of Christmas. The disappointment in finding out that Santa is not real also teaches children about expectations and the difference between reality and fantasy. The song’s simple story-telling and whimsical nature make it a joyous and fun song to listen to.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to meet Santa Claus, the real real Santa
He desires to meet the authentic Santa Claus.
He wants to meet ol' Santa Claus
He desires to meet the genuine Santa Claus.
I want to see Santa Claus, the real real Santa
He desires to witness the genuine Santa Claus.
He said, "Is that (that Santa) really Santa Claus,
Really really (the real Santa) Santa Claus?
Is that (that Santa) really Santa Claus, really really Santa?
(I hope he doesn't pull Santa's beard)
Is that (that Santa) really Santa Claus,
Really really (the real Santa) Santa?"
Hope he thinks that's Santa Claus
He questioned if the Santa he encounters is the legitimate Santa Claus, hoping that the imposter Santa does not expose himself. He maintains hope that he is meeting the true Santa Claus despite his doubts.
He picked him up and put him on Santa's lap
And then he pulled the pillow out of his shirt
He yanked the beard right on off of his chin
And in his eyes I could see he was hurt
He placed his younger brother on Santa's lap, but his brother revealed that the Santa was an impostor by pulling his fake beard, causing him to feel disheartened.
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' Santa Claus
He realizes that the Santa was, in fact, an impostor, but acknowledges that he was merely a helper for the real Santa Claus.
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (he shouldn'ta pulled Santa's beard) real Santa
He's just helpin' (helpin' Santa) Santa Claus,
The real (the real Santa) real Santa
He's just helpin' Santa Claus
He notes that while the Santa he met was an impostor, he still sees him as assisting the real Santa Claus, despite the fact that he shouldn't have pulled his beard.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL LOVE, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimmie (Oldies& Classic Country)
The beach boys have the best and most unique Christmas songs. wish they were played more as well.
nema1218
A great Christmas song that is not played on the radio at all. Love it,unique. The Beach Boys did make better Christmas songs than the Beatles. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays 2011 and Happy New Year's 2012!
r m
That’s true but I think the deejays heard you because I heard it more this year
Sandra Roettgering
The Beach Boys were true talent.
Dale Andrews
To state it most mildly!
Dale Andrews
Christmas music with the classic Beach Boys chord progressions in the classic BB's style. So appropriate for this time of year!
Jim Cauchon
Dale...that bboys signature magic. Turn it up!!
Jim Cauchon
Clearly..this xmas tune should get lots of seasonal airplay..has ALL the pre-requisite favorite Beachboys' licks..vocal and instrumental.
Little St. Nick and Santa's Beard offer up equal amounts of seasonal joy.
MsZoologist1
It's a great song, part of my family's classic Christmas song list! :)
Aaron Stockwell
So much fun! One of the best off the Christmas album.