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
Shelter
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn your radio on
When the trees are swaying and the band is playing
Our favorite song (yeah)
Shelter from the sunlight
Shelter from the cold night
Just where I wanna be
Staying at home
Summertime, make a few calls, make a little love
Thank God for shelter
I'll give you shelter from the storm
And a house to keep you warm
I'll give you shelter through the night
And a chance to make this right
Do you ever still think of me
And the way that we used to be
When the world was just you and me
Hanging out in our shelter
Now it's two o'clock
Line's around the block
Waiting for the parade
When the dark of night
Or the bright sunlight
Has you runnin' for shade (yeah)
Together we can run and hide
Maybe we can stay inside
Just where I wanna be
Baby just you and me
Staying at home
Summertime, make a few calls, take a little love
Thank God for shelter
I'll give you shelter from the storm
And a house to keep you warm
I'll give you shelter through the night
And a chance to make this right
Do you ever still think of me
And the way that we used to be
When the world was just you and me
Hanging out in our shelter
Do you think that you'd ever stay
Take a page out of yesterday
If we could only find a way
Hanging out in our shelter
The Beach Boys’ song “Shelter” is about seeking shelter from the elements of life and finding solace in being home. The opening lines suggest turning on the radio to listen to music while watching the trees sway to the beat, reflecting the ease of being at home. The chorus repeats the idea of finding a safe haven from the sun and cold through the lyrics: “Shelter from the sunlight / Shelter from the cold night / Just where I wanna be / Baby just you and me / Staying at home.” The song implies that home is not just a physical place but also a feeling of comfort and security.
The second verse talks about the memories of a past relationship, with the lyrics: “Do you ever still think of me / And the way that we used to be / When the world was just you and me / Hanging out in our shelter.” The nostalgia for the past relationship is set against the present where there are crowds of people waiting for a parade or seeking refuge from the weather. Despite the chaos outside, the lyrics offer the notion that together, they can run and hide, and just be where they want to be, which is home.
Overall, the song is about finding comfort, safety, and love in the place you call home. It juxtaposes the chaos of the outside world with the feelings of safety and comfort that home brings, calling it a shelter.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever listen with the music missin'
Have you ever sat quietly without music playing?
Turn your radio on
Now turn on the radio and listen to our favorite song.
When the trees are swaying and the band is playing
Imagine the setting: the trees are swaying and a band is playing music.
Our favorite song (yeah)
Let's listen to our favorite song together.
Shelter from the sunlight
I want to shield you from the sun's rays.
Shelter from the cold night
I want to keep you warm and cozy during the chilly night.
Just where I wanna be
I want to be here with you, in this safe and comfortable place.
Baby just you and me
It's just the two of us together in this place.
Staying at home
We're content to stay at home, safe and comfortable.
Summertime, make a few calls, make a little love
In the summer, we can spend time together, call some friends, and be intimate.
Thank God for shelter
I'm thankful for this shelter, this safe and loving place we've created.
I'll give you shelter from the storm
I'll protect you from life's storms.
And a house to keep you warm
I'll provide a home for you, where you can be comfortable and protected from the elements.
I'll give you shelter through the night
I'll be here with you, keeping you safe and sound throughout the night.
And a chance to make this right
We have an opportunity to make things right, and I want to help make that happen.
Do you ever still think of me
Do you ever think back to our time together?
And the way that we used to be
Do you remember how we were together, the love and happiness we shared?
When the world was just you and me
Back when it was just us, together in our own little world.
Hanging out in our shelter
Spending time together in our safe, comfortable place.
Now it's two o'clock
Now it's late, in the middle of the night.
Line's around the block
There are lines of people waiting around the block.
Waiting for the parade
They're waiting for something to happen, to celebrate and have some fun.
When the dark of night
When it gets dark outside.
Or the bright sunlight
Or when it's bright and sunny outside.
Has you runnin' for shade (yeah)
You might want to find some shade or a place to keep cool.
Together we can run and hide
With me by your side, we can run and hide from the things that scare us.
Maybe we can stay inside
We can stay inside our shelter, where things are safe and comfortable.
Do you think that you'd ever stay
Do you think you could stay with me forever?
Take a page out of yesterday
Could we go back to the way things were before?
If we could only find a way
If we could figure out a way to make it work.
Hanging out in our shelter
Spending time together in our safe, comfortable place.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH THOMAS, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Delarge
Gotta love those backing vocals in the chorus. Brian's melodies never skip a beat when it comes to hooking you in and keeping you there.
John LaStrada
The Beach Boys don't sound their age whatsoever. They still make me want to live that "beach boy" life. Can't believe I'm still listening to a band that was rockin' in the early 60's. Would be nice if the Beach Boys got together w/ Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr to put out a collection together. Can you imagine the melodies & harmonies Brian Wilson & McCartney would come up with? Maybe that's the motivation they both need to really show the youngsters what songwriting legends are made of.
Tasty Pies
John LaStrada , that would be a great collaboration.
Damian Raffile
Never thought Brian could top his past works but what do I know.He's amazing.
Betsy Bednar
The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson have been the soundtrack to my life. Thank God for their music. It has consoled me, made me smile, and have always had a deep meaning. They're like no other band.😊
Dan Cutchen
I just listened to this again after a few. The beauty and intricate harmonies of this song blew me away again. So much is going on and it sounds so spectacular!! Equal to anything Brian has written before.
Jonas Ice
Uma das melhores desse excelente disco. Obrigado The Beach Boys!
Jeff Garrison
I was all set to not like this because of the cliche album title. But the guys still have it, still make really listenable music. Congratulations, Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce. Thanks for gifting the world with another great collection of songs.
Jeff Garrison
***** You're right. He isn't on my radar with Beach Boys. I think of Brian, Dennis, Carl, cousin Mike friend Bruce, and even Glen Campbell; but Dave didn't register until you mentioned him....
Strummer1980
I was ready to write off this album as it doesn't resonate with me like most of BWs other music, but this one song is stuck in my head and it's awesome. It has that juxtaposition of happy and melancholy and I think it's right up there with his best stuff.