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

Sloop John B
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night
Got into a fight
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

The first mate, he got drunk
And broke in the captain's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't you leave me alone? Yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

So hoist up the John B's sail (hoist up the John B's sail)
See how the mainsail sets (see how the mainsail sets)
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home
Let me go home (hoist up the John B's sail)
(Why don't you let me go home?)
Hoist up the John B's sail (hoist up the John B's sail)
Feel so broke up
I wanna go home
Let me go home

The poor cook, he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don't they let me go home?
This is the worst trip I've ever been on

So hoist up the John B's sail (hoist up the John B's sail)
See how the mainsail sets (see how the mainsail sets)
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home
Let me go home

I wanna go home
Let me go home

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' "Sloop John B" is a folk song that was originally recorded by the Bahamas group The Islanders in 1951. The song features the story of a group of sailors, led by the singer and his grandfather, who are looking forward to a night of drinking and revelry in Nassau. However, things take a sour turn when they get into a fight and the first mate, who is drunk, ends up being arrested by Sheriff John Stone. The singer expresses a deep longing to go home and laments the fact that this is the worst trip he has ever been on.

The song is a familiar one, as it speaks to the universal desire to be home among family and friends, even when the going gets tough. The haunting melody and simple, yet powerful storytelling make this a timeless classic that continues to resonate with a wide audience. The song is beloved not only for its catchy tune but for the layers of meaning that can be read into the lyrics. It's a reflection of the human experience that everyone can relate to, regardless of their background and life's experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and I embark on a journey on this boat named John B

Around Nassau town we did roam
We traveled around Nassau town

Drinking all night
We drank throughout the night

Got into a fight
We got into a physical altercation

Well, I feel so broke up
I am emotionally distressed

I wanna go home
I desire to return home

So hoist up the John B's sail
Raise the sail of the boat named John B

See how the mainsail sets
Observe how the main sail is adjusted

Call for the captain ashore
Summon the captain who is currently on land

Let me go home
Allow me to return home

I wanna go home, yeah, yeah
I really want to go home

Well, I feel so broke up
I am upset

The first mate, he got drunk
The assistant captain drank too much

And broke in the captain's trunk
He broke into the captain's storage container

The constable had to come and take him away
The local law enforcement had to arrest and remove him

Sheriff John Stone
Sheriff John Stone was the law enforcement officer

Why don't you leave me alone? Yeah, yeah
I wish to be left alone

So hoist up the John B's sail (hoist up the John B's sail)
Raise the sail once more

Let me go home
Allow me to return home

Let me go home
I wish to go home

Let me go home (hoist up the John B's sail)
Allow me to return home while simultaneously hoisting the sail

(Why don't you let me go home?)
I wish to return home and feel frustrated by not being able to

Feel so broke up
I am emotionally distressed

The poor cook, he caught the fits
The kitchen staff member became ill

And threw away all my grits
He threw away my food

And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
He ate my other food as well

Why don't they let me go home?
I feel trapped and wish to be allowed to leave

This is the worst trip I've ever been on
This travel experience has been terrible

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Wilson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@camousjoel5043

6y↑114

We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night
Got into a fight
Well I feel so broke up
I want to go home

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah yeah
Well I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

The first mate he got drunk
And broke in the Cap'n's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't you leave me alone, yeah yeah
Well I feel so broke up I wanna go home

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets

Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don't you let me go home
(Hoist up the John B's sail)
Hoist up the John B
I feel so broke up I wanna go home
Let me go home

The poor cook he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don't they let me go home
This is the worst trip I've ever been on

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don't you let me go home

@jasminesymon1784

1y↑5

My Dad was a Vietnam Vet and the best Dad I could have ever asked for.

He died of Lung Cancer last week.

This was "Our Song".

I love you Papa and I can't believe you're gone.I don't know if I will ever get over you passing.Ive been a shitty son the past few years and I should have went out and seen you more.

I'll miss you till they put coins on my eyes and send me to the boatman.

Hope to see you on the other side.

All comments from YouTube:

@patrick4833

8y↑224

basically 3 minutes of beach boys fucking around in a pool
still more interesting than like every average music video

@TheSMLIFfilms

8y↑10

People nowadays usually miss the point of a music video, but I usually don't enjoy music videos at all. I like to visualize it on my own and think about how the music makes me feel and what I picture when I hear it, but this video is a great little slice of the Beach Boys.

@mallrat7773

8y↑8

If I remember right, they got told this song was gonna be on Top of the Pops, or whatever that old UK show was called, and they needed a video for this song.

So they just spent a lazy afternoon screwing around in Brian's backyard and this was the result.

@ColumRogers

mallrat 777 Think the same video was used on Top of the Pops to promote Good Vibrations as well, albeit edited! 60's music videos are hilarious.

@dennisgeraci9917

7y↑1

every thing is not black and wihte

@greglawrence1314

One of the early videos I saw on MTV was "Life of Illusion" by Joe Walsh, which was just him and a camera crew goofing around in a junkyard. It's fun to watch, sort of like Little Rascals shorts. Sophistication gets tiring after you've seen it a few thousand times.

1 More Replies...

@MichaelsShortFilms

8y↑621

I just spent 3 minutes watching the Beach Boys play around with hats and blow up boats and I loved it.

@afonsolucas2219

8y↑9

*2:53

@crazygamer639

8y↑19

there's two kind of people...

@StockDoc2k

7y↑15

I read your comment at the start of the video. I kept waiting for them to blow up some boats... and then I re-read your comment.

@newddle

MichaelsShortFilms

@jondryden7776

6y↑6

Brian Dennison, lol! There's a difference between blow up and blow-up.

2 More Replies...

@nataliarobinson9514

4y↑170

I love the transition when Brian turned into Carl

@daniellavaladez7820

3y↑12

That part never fails to make me laugh! Adorable <3

@cristinaacosta7946

3y↑8

Man o man the "Beach Boys" are Fricken bad man...they are the "BEST"...I can listen to their "BADASS" fricken music OVER n OVER especially "Sloop John B..its the BOMB..
I JUST LOVE IT...HEEHAAAAAAAA

@waynefontes69

I don’t give a fuck

@cbmanica

4y↑474

This song always makes me feel sad about times that aren't coming back.

@Cyan3031

4y↑18

You never know, mid century modern furniture is popular - one day this kind of music may come back.

@scarlettohara5030

4y↑5

me too

@JuanMoreGame

4y↑16

Got to think how lucky we were to hear it...the glass is half full too don't forget 🙂

@lishik7712

4y↑10

You have to make good times, you make the difference.

@robert.m4676

3y↑6

I can remember as a kid I was about 12 or 13 and I took some music course in school. This is the one of only two songs I remember the teach playing over and over. This and Winchester Cathedral. It was like 78 or 79 and I simply loved both songs big time. I had no idea who the artist’s were but I remember getting my allowance and having my pops help me find them. Being a DJ in the 60’s and early 70’s he had no problem finding them. I still love both too this day.

15 More Replies...

@PinkyPuff69

4y↑581

I love the harmonies of The Beach Boys. There’s no sound like it. Brian Wilson you’re a genius.

@michaelbauer6496

3y↑4

Yea, wasn't Kokomo their last big hit?

@lady_lawyer

2y↑3

Unparalleled, then or now.

@DefaultName-hs6gd

2y↑1

More of a John Phillips hit. Brian was busy being held captive.

@21_f_aus

1y↑3

This is one of my favourite beach boys song, I was born in the late 80's and grateful to have been brought up with such classics

@richardjamesss438

1y↑2

Bee gees had better sound especially robin gibb

11 More Replies...

@MattMahael

13y↑297

I was at a Boy Scout camp with my friends this past week. We all enjoy singing, and we all hated the food and the bugs there, so I thought it'd be fun for us all to sing this. I taught everyone the harmonies and whatnot. A week passes, and on the last night (barbeque night) the camped played this song. Well don't you know it, my five guys stood up on the benches and belted it out. It was awesome!

@xvounce2492

3y↑11

Still watch this vid?

@MrLeiduowen

2y↑10

This is the worst trip I've ever been on, haha 🤣

@nedrobinson7490

1y↑6

Dude, really? That’s fucking awesome! Way cooler than my Scout camp experience

@pcno2832

46w↑1

Seems fitting. The first time I heard any version of this song was on an episode of Lost in Space.

@dawhoda1

25w

@@pcno2832🤦‍♂️

2 More Replies...

@Jeff-gq8sx

2y↑55

Sloop John B became my favorite song as an 8-year-old back in 1966 listening to AM radio especially while riding in my parent's car. My parents bought me the 45 and I still love it to this day.

@arnoldflowers8028

2y↑1

This song his hilarious 😂

@karlyoung5089

1y↑1

Sounds like wonderful memories.

@paulhall170

44w↑61

In my opinion, the bestest of the best of the Beach Boys songs!!! I heard it first at the time, and all these years later it filters through my mental playlist and still brings such pleasure.

@carolinastringband

37w

Oh man, You Still Believe in Me, God Only Knows. Those take the cake for me!

@justinbarry9002

25w

No doubt

@jackburgoyne3725

11y↑425

Last year, my dad and i went to a Beach Boys 50 Reunion Concert. Afterwords, my dad and i went to a nearby hotel to stay for the night. BRUCE AND AL WERE STANDING RIGHT THERE! They sat down and we talked for a 30 minutes. I asked a question about the Sloop John B promo. Bruce and Al said, "Oh! I remember that!'' May of 1966 that this was filmed. Apparently they said that DENNIS FILMED THIS! He had also filmed Little Honda with Carl on his Bike. They are the greatest guys you will ever meet! THKS

@discoleafy6693

4y↑2

@avantgardener

@Hovercraftltd

4y↑18

So cool when that sort of thing happens by chance and your just chatting to a hero of yours.

@scarlettohara5030

4y↑9

what a fabulous story!

@Debutantealways

4y↑3

Jack Burgoyne did you go to see it at the Hollywood Bowl? If so, I was there also!

@deborahchamplin8999

3y↑1

Wow! The best experience ever, I’d say🧡

1 More Replies...

@rosman57

7y↑1.5K

Without getting into details, my father was a great guy who had a rough time in life. He was a huge music fan, especially of The Beach Boys. We played this song at his funeral as we took him to the cemetery. He wanted to go home, and I know he's in a better place now.

@adalbertogomesmacedofilho2919

6y↑28

man....

@blacklightning1771

5y↑34

My condolences for your loss. God be with you.

@nahumjared4396

5y↑23

Bro... I really feel that

@gigid9606

5y↑49

that made me cry. I was with my dad in the hospital when he told the Dr. he wanted to go. I helped him get into the hospice and a 2 days later he passed.

@bennylabenze9668

4y↑24

That’s a really sweet story, thank you very much for sharing. My deepest sympathies for your loss.

113 More Replies...

@dmmamc

9y↑861

In the darkest times this video will make you smile

@rnise1961

5y↑16

This song has always made me feel happy no matter what

@mar7268

4y↑8

You got that right (currently in the middle of a pandemic) haha

@julionilo7498

4y↑2

Profetic

@diegoholguin8019

4y↑7

Yup i got evicted during the pandemic , and The Beach Boys help me alot

@eerikarademeyer3502

4y↑4

Its true .I n my darkerst times I ve played it for 12 hours on a plane.It calm me down and help to give me perspective in life

10 More Replies...

@criscoleman

3y↑158

Some very Monkees-like goofiness. Love it. Brian taught the other members of the band how to harmonize. And harmonize they did! They were great. This song is a gem.

@lynnturman8157

2y↑4

Monkees like? Go watch Hard Day's Night.

@liamfan

@@lynnturman8157 it's very reminiscent of the opening of the Monkees tv show, from 1966, two years before this. Nothing to do with Hard Day's Night.

@MrIveyIsBonkers

@@liamfan In a roundabout way it kinda is, because the Monkees TV show was kinda meant to be a serialized version of what A Hard Day's Night was.

@MikesOrganicVideos

1y↑2

I immediately thought of the Monkees as soon as I saw them doing the sidestepping

@criscoleman

@@MikesOrganicVideos So which came first: The Monkees sidestepping or The Beach Boys sidestepping? They both came out in 1966.

6 More Replies...

@ScottWaa

1y↑54

Thank you Outer Banks for reminding us of this master piece!

@leahdem

1y↑1

Also here for this reason 😂

@slbren63

1y↑3

I thought the same thing!! Great classic song ❤and great show !😊

@Hehehehehehhehe1923

1y↑1

Lol this is the only reason I shearched this song

@TheStones1965

9y↑339

I can tell why Pet Sounds is so well regarded. Brilliant vocal harmonies.

@rustykilt

4y↑12

I think with Brian, it was all about production values.....he was a perfectionist

@seethransom

4y↑11

@@rustykilt He was determined to be better than British bands.

@rustykilt

4y↑6

@@seethransom I don't think he needed to be..he had his own sound

@barnijones1

4y↑2

@@seethransom and very inspired by The Beatles

@seethransom

@Alrimate I was meaning to be patriotic. But I did read somewhere that he wanted to make American rock and roll its own Force among the British Invasion. I get around, and she loves you yeah yeah yeah were not the deepest songs. The competition probably made music better.

11 More Replies...

@mizu9931

7y↑743

How could anyone hate this?

It's perfect.

@lisadc4681

5y↑21

Everything they do is perfection, music wise..

@subg8858

5y↑2

You obviously haven't heard the MIU album

@thecinematicmind

4y↑4

subg88 Could be worse, could be the album we don’t name.

@Joop.23-2-63

4y↑11

People who were hammered down by the boom while setting the mainsail, I guess.........

@ja3482

3y↑8

The irony is that Brian despised The Kingston Trio but was talked into listening to their version of this song.
Then he perfected it.

18 More Replies...

@1928missbliss

9y↑182

The guy in the shirt and tie is Derek Taylor, former press officer for The Beatles - He's the one who coined the term "Brian Wilson Is A Genius" during promo time for Pet Sounds.

@suziekg77

4y↑5

beach gal He’s right. Brian Wilson is a genius x

@princezzpuffypants6287

3y↑7

Thank you! I asked outloud who the skinny voyeur was, but no one in the room knew!... Of course the cats don't say much, and I didn't really expect my 9 year old to know.... 🤪

@markbailey1970

He is a genius and Derek was ace too

@criscoleman

I was wondering who that was. I figured he was SOMEBODY. LOL

@Dcraine

So glad to read this! I thought that was Derek Taylor but wasn’t sure so I scrolled all the way down to here looking for someone to mention it. Good work, beach gal.

@geeker211

5y↑146

This never gets old. Still funny 50 years later :)

@daniellavaladez7820

3y↑3

And adorable!

@thecat9660

6y↑98

Those vocal harmonies are incredible, just perfect and so beautiful

@bigal4919

8y↑175

this tune , I just cannot getta out of my head, it is infectious...............

@grahampearson5670

5y↑4

I can't get this song out of my head either. There was a version Brian and Al performed at Capitol Studios and the Fedatones have done a version.

@malcolmabram2957

I have quite a few like this. This is included.

@genericnameryan

2y↑91

This song will always hold a special place in my heart. I just lost someone very special to me, and this song cheered me up. It allowed me to cry not with sorrow, but acceptance, motivation, and thankfulness for all he did for me in the year or so I knew him. He had a heart of gold and always looked at the positives. I miss him so much, but I know he's in a better place.

@georgekauffold7872

2y↑3

It's always good to have someone who loves

@roracensarn7354

1y↑2

Please accept my condolences for you lost your beloved one. I lost my husband in 2022 in my birth day month too . If I died I will tell my children to play * Sloop John B* for my Funeral day as my memory from my husband.

@subg8858

7y↑231

You don't see Denny in this film because he was the cameraman

@mgi2527

6y↑20

Thanks. Was wondering why

@fttcoop5341

6y↑9

I was wondering too.

@osjogosmaislegaisdowi-fi4652

5y↑1

Dennis are the seceund

@aliasmith0425

4y↑4

Really?! That's cool!!!

@applesauce5329

MiamiBeach xxx apparently Derek Taylor

2 More Replies...

@mmbond6560

40w↑14

Forever perfect harmony Beach Boys❤

@Wanderingwalker-ke6mg

4y↑89

Beautiful stuff, not sure why I can’t get enough of these guys.
It’s like a cure for sadness but I control the volume 😊

@gheilers

9y↑289

I thought it was cool, how this promo film was re-created for "Love and Mercy."

@HoodGoblin

9y↑6

+Greg Heilers right? Pretty accurate too

@mitchellhughes5180

9y↑1

+Greg Heilers And in color!

@nicolefoster7976

8y↑11

It wasn't remade in color. Which was kind of nice.

@Scrappym4

+Nicole Foster No, was in color

@HoodGoblin

8y↑10

+Scrappy Mckay No, it wasn't. I have the movie. This scene was in black and white.

5 More Replies...

@ethantinsley8185

4y↑86

Despite the lyrics, this song generally makes me really happy. Masterpiece of an album.

@wftjet

9y↑195

'Love and Mercy' brought me here. Great movie!

@josephdwarren

9y↑5

WILLIAM TELL Me too. Great movie. Trying to find a certain Beach Boys song that is always in my head, but I forgot the words...

@midnightacapellasandinstru7695

9y↑3

WILLIAM TELL Amazing movie

@reallyhonest1020

9y↑1

WILLIAM TELL Haven't seen that movie yet, but I will make time to watch it.

@reallyhonest1020

9y↑1

***** If this isn't the song, if you type in a couple of the lyrics, I will check back in a day or so and see if I know the song. I own several of their albums and love their sound.

@josephdwarren

9y↑2

Jeanette Meyer Thanks. I figured it out. It was "Don't Worry Baby."

7 More Replies...

@wadehathawaymusic

6w↑1

I just had a listen to Pet Sounds after several years. Man, what a piece of work. Just beautiful. It is a near perfect example of the artform.

@bearpaw72

45w↑32

1:48-2:02 - I swear, any group that can make a sad and melancholy chord progression sound fun and upbeat to listen to is an unusually talented group.

@un1v3r53

2y↑13

This is one of the cutest beach boys videos in my opinion, it shows how much they got along, even though they fought. Long live The Beach Boys!

@typicalfurry2747

2y↑3

Except for Mike Love

@videoestres

1y↑2

@@typicalfurry2747 i hate that guy

@typicalfurry2747

1y↑2

@@videoestres we all do

@revacohen

@@typicalfurry2747 I don't like him, either. He's such a narcissist. But, as one person commented earlier he looked good in this video, and I like looking at him. But I need to remember that beauty is more than skin deep!

@lynnturman8157

10y↑91

This song has an amazing bass part. It's not an exaggeration to say that Carol Kaye's bass on SLOOP JOHN B helped revolutionize electric bass playing in rock/pop music...

@skylamae2004

10y↑6

agreed 100 percent

@PFB1994

10y↑10

I'm going to have to disagree. Paul McCartney was moving bass way beyond this at the same period of time. Listen to Rain by the Beatles, Paperback Writer. As good as this is, the Beatles really were breaking ground by the mile compared to everyone else around at the time.

@lynnturman8157

10y↑35

PFB1994 Both those Beatle songs you mentioned came after Pet Sounds. I will agree with you that McCartney was probably the most influential in bringing electric bass to the forefront. And I also agree that he came up with incredibly melodic lines. But what's great about Carol Kaye's bass on this & other songs on Pet Sounds (and I don't know if Kay came up with the bass lines or Brian Wilson) is that she wasn't just playing passing notes on her way to a root or a fifth. The bass parts were very melodic & very orchestral. And I also know that these bass parts are what inspired McCartney to think of bass playing in a different way. So it's probably more accurate to say that Carol Kaye influenced McCartney, McCartney influenced the rest of the world.

@nbyrn6428

9y↑6

+Lynn Turman Brian did

@TheHollowBodiesBand

8y↑17

I have to say that Carol only played what Brian wrote. Brian is an underrated genius

4 More Replies...

@stevebrazilio

14w↑4

First heard this on an old cassette I found in the bedroom as a young kid in the 70's. Loved it since the day I heard it.

@safetydave720

8y↑68

I was eleven years old and I loved this song! Still do! 1966

@superally4113

8y↑1

Pleasure David

@brendansheerin8980

5y↑1

I was 12 years when I fell in love with this song. It was 1987

@kilin1208

Me, too. Eleven in 1966.

@1goodvibrations

I was 12 and i still do too!

@zimmydoomday75

13y↑138

To give Mike Love probably the only credit he'll ever deserve, he looked cool as hell with that beret/beard combo.

@erinmarie99

3y↑12

Emphasize the ONLY credit. Ever!

@charlesscatola5488

3y↑7

Think about it, you're giving him credit about his looks, and not his singing.

@chuckydall9250

That's a scally cap

@rickhermann7639

3y↑5

he had a voice and was GOOD friends with one of the heartfelt bands thanks to Brian Wilson

@chmael55

3y↑10

The beret was to cover his balding head

5 More Replies...

@kevinhiggins910

5y↑12

It is a catchy folk song, bit the arrangements are so brilliant that it sounds unique and fresh even when you have heard it a thousand times.

@bjohnston3659

1y↑3

I wish their lives were as happy as I thought they were...

@prod6mill.512

8y↑12

I love the playful charm of this video, they did a great rendition in the film love and mercy

@williambailey7367

Love Sloop John B
a great favourite
Wonderful lyrics and music.

@lennybruce6476

8y↑45

Great band, great song and Genius musician Brian Wilson.

@99barrywhite

Yep!

@davidblankenship2720

1y↑1

The wrecking crew nailed it!!!! Incredible BASS

@davidblankenship2720

11w

Carol Kaye

@alanyupongau8404

7y↑28

Thank The Beach Boys for giving us such great music. I listened to their songs during my 79 days solo Europe backpacking in early 2017.

@carolbell659

5y↑18

That was the first song that was playing when I went to the hospital to have our first born son. The nurses brought me their radio and turned it on. The Sloop John B was just starting to play. I could not help smiling even though the back labor was agony.

@catherinerampon4747

4w↑1

Un de mes poètes adoré et préféré de ma jeunesse.
Mille merci pour TOUTES vos magnifiques chansons.

@pupintheturdiii

3y↑14

These boys had a harmony together inside and outside of music that is so tragic and beautiful. I feel so broke up I wanna go home.

@squinkque

9y↑67

What a timeless classic.

@RedGoldGreen-Dub

1y↑12

Beautiful harmonies, lovely song 💙

@danielcameron1132

1y↑5

One of the best songs ever recorded lovely melody lovely voices

@59771006

12y↑5

This song was originally a traditional West Indies folk song called "The John B. Sails" taken from a collection by Carl Sandburg (1927) this version was ranked #271 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

@thegothaunt

2y↑22

This song will always make me think of summers on the deck with my dad. I can just picture him singing along to "then he took and he ate up all of my corn." He's still around but there are not as much beach boy summers anymore. <3 As a kid growing up I enjoyed the Beach Boys very much. Then I ended up in music school, and now as a thirty year old I just have a totally different understanding of the arrangements and harmonies...damn, so incredible!

@medb8882

1y↑1

i used to have a dementia client, John, who worked in the British merchant’s navy in communications. He was called sparks as a nickname and traveled the world in the late 1940s by ship delivering and collecting cargo from China and Japan post WW2, I played this song over and over every time I visited his home and we’d dance in the kitchen🤣🤣 rest in peace, Sparks!

@BizzareUltimo

29w↑1

"This is the worst trip i've ever been on."
i love that lyric lmao

@blgallas

1y↑7

Love this song….the harmonies are so good.

@Sai._.avinash

1y↑8

From outer banks 3 trailer.

@rodyboting8787

13w

Funny the name John B is in this song

@MrWoodleyf

30w↑1

This song reminds me of my time in the Coast Guard. I was 20 years old stationed on the USCG Cutter Unimak. We took it from Yorktown Virginia to Nassau Bahamas where we spent 3 days.

@raymond7427

Remember as a young teenager watching this on an old B&W telly in the UK. We knew it previously as a song sung by Lonnie Donegan who was the lead singer with a British Skiffle group. But Brian Wilson rendered the song into a complex musical marvel on acid! The Sixties had truly arrived!

@carlwhite3929

2y↑4

My Dad was a massive fan of The Beach Boys. And I'm more than happy to be named after Carl Wilson👍

@lindapearcr3138

1y↑1

Cool!

@nahoko.

1y↑7

Outer banks use of this music is so good

@annehoward2113

7y↑2

Genius. True Genius.

@gregnormal5101

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

@freyatilly

33w↑11

I heard this song for the first time as a child of the 60s. I was instantly drawn to the arrangement, harmonies and melody. I became an instant fan of the Beach Boys then and still am, here in 2023.
Superb cover, making it their own, super video. They remain the best boy band for me. Memories of my childhood are not lost and gone forever when I here this song and all the Beach Boys work

@gianmariotagliabue8509

6y↑3

the bass is magic,so deep!

@camousjoel5043

6y↑114

@stevenmcdonald9120

2y↑2

I was on a mission trip with my church, building school houses Jamaica, back in '90. While we were toting cinder blocks, we got a rythm up singing Beach Boys.... Fond memories....😊😊❤️❤️✌️✌️

@MooseCall

31w↑1

Bruce is a catch. I love good boys.

@johnfox2443

2y↑8

Sung this a thousand times! A great favourite in Rugby Clubs, especially since the 1971 Lions Series win in New Zealand! Great harmonies. Love the Beach Boys!

@joannepacker2779

1y↑4

Still brilliant in 2023

@gregnormal5101

1y↑1

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe!

@TheRetroEngine

4y↑13

God I keep coming back to this song. It hurts for some reason, it's a beautiful, emotional and somewhat sad song, but it reminds me of so much. Brilliant song. And the first time I saw the music video, where they switched it was a good effect.

@genepopa6905

1y↑1

The sixth man in the video is Derek Taylor, the band's publicist, who is also credited as the director for this. I suspect Mike so prominently holding a copy of TIGER BEAT at the end is because Taylor wrote a regular column for that magazine.

@GeorgeVreelandHill

4y↑7

Real music from a generation that had respect for America and a great and better way of life than today.

@GabePlaysYT

14y↑10

I saw this video in a class in my senior year of high-school; it's been so long, but I still get massive nostalgia watching it.

@garethjones6566

1y↑1

My son is 21 and studying engineering at Uni and is a Beach Boys obsessive, Pet sounds is his favourite album.

@mikeyboy3054

33w↑1

Cali baby in the old days. I was there and it was amazing.

@nancym671

8y↑27

Carl Wilson makes this video for me. Shy and self-conscious, he was usually in the background but here he is upfront and obviously loving it. Way to go!

@gregnormal5101

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day.. Stay Safe

@ronostlund8731

6y↑5

The fact they got together and did this at ANY point is Awesome!

@lisadc4681

5y↑1

What do you mean? I'm pretty sure they were together ALOT over the years! Touring together constantly and living in the same place..

@gregnormal5101

@@lisadc4681 Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

@dlass9470

7y↑22

My Dad use to sing this to my siblings and I when we were kids, he always made it funnier than it actually is. Everytime I hear this song I call my Dad afterwards.

@flatbanana

1y↑1

One of the reasons I love this song is that it used to make me laugh , I am curious about your dad's version!

@LilMacMusic

1y↑1

A melody from this song, “I feel so broke up, I wanna go home” is also used in a song called Call My Dad by AJR. That’s a really funny coincidence 😂

@puncturedbicycle7264

2y↑9

It may be confusing for some to hear Pet Sounds is considered to be one of the if not the greatest album of all time but considering this sounds more unique than like most of popular music of the mid 60s is would go on to influence artists. Brian Wilson’s a Bloody Genius, God Bless that man’s soul

@katethomas5712

2y↑4

I love how Brian is just casually walking Mike off the springboard at 2.00. He looks like he enjoyed it!

@revacohen

Yes, but I don't think Mike was having as much fun as the others. He was the only one who didn't help with the raft, and in the scene where Brian pushed Mike into the pool, Mike looked like he was arguing with him. And in the final scene, he walked out of the pool, completely abandoning his bandmates. Of course, I've only paid attention to the band recently, and I learned that Mike is a narcissist.

@brianclarke61993

7y↑20

Love the part with Mike Love ( think it's him ? ) when he jumps over the gate then opens and goes back out before jumping over it again 😂😂

@robjontay5052

5y↑1

Yes. Mike was a card. He had to be dealt with....

@tranfimosultan194

Fantastically harmonious!

@veleicemajohnson4840

3y↑7

hey hey we're the beach boys !! and people say we beach boy around !!

@shelleybradford3395

4y↑4

Catchiest tune ever!

@gregnormal5101

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

@spy1965

7y↑3

The look on their faces when heavy set Carl jumps into the pool is a crack-up....oh no @1:35

@deborahleffler4579

2y↑2

I'm from southern California and grew up with the beach boys 🤩

@gregnormal5101

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe!

@raymond7427

Remember as a young teenager watching this on an old B&W telly in the UK in 1966. We remembered this song from the Fifties as sung by Lonnie Donegan who was the leader of a British Skiffle group. But Brian Wilson transformed the song into a complex hi-tech masterpiece on acid! The Sixties had arrived!

@96BusterMr

9y↑6

I used to listen to this on a 45 rpm. Listened to it over and over again. I was just a kid.

@jasminesymon1784

1y↑5

@tinuvielkofs2069

May you be comforted!💙

@alan-ev6ck

1y↑1

I'm sorry for your loss, we are getting fewer ,Vietnam vet Bearcat 68-69

@lindaflowerpower8498

1y↑1

@@alan-ev6ck
🙏 Thanks for your service! 🪖
You were fighting and the left hippy scum sang peace ☮️ songs.

@SouthBaySteelers

1y↑2

My first concert with my first girlfriend 50 years ago. Had a great time. She’s now gone. Stay sober.

@kimberly3257

51w↑1

Im 44 grew up with my parents loving these guys!!! I love them too, I love the harmonys and just everything they have put out. Amazing group!!!! Love your music, my 3 year old granddaughter does too. Thank you Beach Boys!!

@juliebroun1342

5y↑4

"This is the worst trip,I've ever been on".Love it :)

@gregnormal5101

1y↑1

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

@kevinhiggins910

4y↑4

Brian's talent shows here , he takes a folk song and arranges it into something truly memorable and innovative.

@joiedierenfield3749

4y↑2

My favorite Beach Boys song. Thank you for posting.

@kellpad

40w↑1

Buried my ole man last oct, he was a football manager, if i wanted to see him on a weekend i went to footy lol. Weve lost one of the players now and all i can think about is this song, everytime we were back at club house or played away we had a sing song..... this was top of list 😢❤

@3125234302

1y↑3

THE GOLDEN ERA OF THE BEACH BOYS. SO LONG FELLOWS.

@lindapearcr3138

1y↑1

@SteveEcksteinDouglasDrive

3y↑5

I AM SPEECHLESS< WITH OUT WORDS TO GIVE JUSTICE TO THIS PERFORMANCE" PERFECTION"

@Adam_Kazmi

32w↑1

‘
Awesome Classic ❤️👍🏼

@chipsramek3868

42w↑1

Saw the Beach Boys because they were part of a triple bill outdoor 1974 outdoor concert with CSNY as Top Billing ....WOW ... they just returned from a time in India studying Transcendental Meditation and as an example they turned "409" less than 2 minutes ... into a 20+ minute psychedelic masterpiece.

@Gabriel2oh6

42w

Sounds like an amazing show. From 1971-1974 they were on fire on stage and in studio. I wasn’t even alive but wish I could have seen them.

@angelafishback8594

1y↑2

My Daddy loved this song ,as did I! I was very young. But loved music of this Era!

@sooz9433

4y↑6

We were so lucky to have these songs, these amazing musicians... 😢 🎼🖤

@kevinmalone8903

41w

Are you referring to the Wrecking Crew ?

@patrickhicks9880

3y↑2

one of my junior school teachers made us sing this she was involved
with this record somehow
she made us do all the different vocal bits
she was cool

@99somerville

5y↑2

Nice to see the entire clip. Thanks.

@samuelmartin2992

7y↑39

If you're having a bad day, just know that I had this song stuck in my head for three f*cking days!

@Tommyfazz

Mart did they sing in tune and with depth?

@jeromekagan

8y↑12

Shot fifty years ago today in Brian's back yard in the Hollywood hills. Bunch of wild and crazy cut ups.

@vierbeinerclown1331

1y↑1

Tank you Beach Boys for this wonderful music...😊

@brianclarke61993

7y↑15

Legendary song... legendary band

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