The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of… Read Full Bio ↴The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in the history of popular music due to their intricate vocal harmonies, studio experiments, and novel approaches to pop songwriting. Rooted in doo-wop and rock and roll, their early string of vocal surf hits defined the '60s California Sound. For a period afterward, they notably delved into progressive pop styles. often combining elements from classical and jazz in innovative ways.

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

Shortenin' Bread
The Beach Boys Lyrics

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Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread
Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread

Put on the skillet and slip on the lid
Mammy's gonna make us some shortenin' bread
And that ain't all our mammy's gonna do

She's gonna cook us some coffee, too

Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread
Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread
Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread

I slipped in the kitchen, I raised up the lid
I stole me a mess of that shortenin' bread
I walked up to a pretty girl and I said
Baby, how'd you like some shortenin' bread?

Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread
Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread

They caught me with the skillet, they caught me with the lid
They caught me with the girl eatin' shortenin' bread
Six months for the skillet, six months for the lid
Now I'm doin' time for eatin' shortenin' bread

Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread
Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread

Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread

Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread

Overall Meaning

"Shortenin' Bread" is a traditional Southern folk song that originated in the African-American community. The Beach Boys recorded a version of it in 1962. The song describes how "mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread," meaning the simple pastry made from flour, lard, and salt. It also implies that the mother will cook coffee for her children, indicating that they are living in a relatively comfortable home.

The second verse describes how the singer sneaks into the kitchen and steals some of the shortenin' bread. He then tries to impress a girl by offering her some of it. However, the following verse reveals that he is caught with the skillet, the lid, and the girl, and he is sentenced to six months in prison for his actions.

The meaning of the song is simple and lighthearted, but it also carries some societal messages. The lyrics showcase the humor and playful attitude of the African-American Southern culture, and the song stresses how important food is to the community. It also hints at the racial divides and unfair criminal justice systems that existed in Southern America in the early 20th century.

Line by Line Meaning

Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'
The little baby of Mama likes to eat 'shortenin' bread' more than anything else.

Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread
The little baby of Mama likes to eat 'shortenin' bread' more than anything else.

Put on the skillet and slip on the lid
Skillet (frying pan) is to be heated on the stove and a lid is to be placed on top.

Mammy's gonna make us some shortenin' bread
Mother is preparing to cook us some 'shortenin' bread'.

And that ain't all our mammy's gonna do
Mother is not only going to cook 'shortenin' bread' but also going to make us some coffee as well.

She's gonna cook us some coffee, too
Mother is going to prepare coffee for us to drink.

I slipped in the kitchen, I raised up the lid
I snuck into the kitchen and opened the lid to take some 'shortenin' bread'.

I stole me a mess of that shortenin' bread
I took plenty of 'shortenin' bread' for myself without permission.

I walked up to a pretty girl and I said
I went to talk to a beautiful girl and spoke to her saying...

Baby, how'd you like some shortenin' bread?
...if you would like to eat some 'shortenin' bread' with me.

They caught me with the skillet, they caught me with the lid
They found me with the frying pan and its lid, indicating I was stealing 'shortenin' bread'.

They caught me with the girl eatin' shortenin' bread
They found me eating 'shortenin' bread' with that girl.

Six months for the skillet, six months for the lid
I received six months imprisonment for stealing the frying pan and its lid, which belonged to someone else.

Now I'm doin' time for eatin' shortenin' bread
I am serving time in prison for stealing and eating 'shortenin' bread'.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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