Through a slow, stirring, and string-backed melody, we hear Brian Wilson come to terms with the looming truth: the best days of his life are over and they’re never coming back. Throughout The Beach Boys’ career, the sunny themes of summer and surfing have have never really gone away. Sometimes they have just been relegated to the background of their music. Though in this track, summer is a clear metaphor for the band’s past viability.
And after years of complications, which includes everything from lengthy songwriting disputes, musical genre differences, Charlie Manson, two of the member’s deaths (Dennis And Carl), and the downfall of doo-wop that lead to a depressing search from the Boys to regain their sound and unity, Wilson sullenly admits defeat.
This is illustrated in the last verse where he morosely sings, “Summer’s Gone/ I’m gonna sit and watch the waves/ We laugh, we cry/ We live then die/ and dream about our yesterday.” His vocals fade and the calming sound of ocean waves fill out the rest of the track.
It’s a funeral song, that’s for sure. But it’s the perfect eulogy for the life of a band that no one ever thought would live this long: The Beach Boys.
Summer's Gone
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summer's gone away
Gone away
With yesterday
Old friends have gone
They've gone their separate ways
Our dreams hold on
Summer's gone
Gone like yesterday
The nights grow cold
It's time to go
I'm thinking maybe I'll just stay
Another summer gone
Summer's gone
It's finally sinking in
One day begins
Another ends
I live them all and back again
Summer's gone
I'm gonna sit and watch the waves
We laugh, we cry
We live then die
And dream about our yesterday
The Beach Boys's song "Summer's Gone" is a melancholic reflection on the passage of time and the changing of seasons. It begins with the opening line "Summer's gone, summer's gone away, gone away with yesterday" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics are a lament about how quickly time passes and how things change. The song talks about old friends who have gone their separate ways, and dreams that still hold on for those who have more to say.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Summer's gone" as a reminder that time never stops moving forward. The lyrics mention that the nights are growing cold, and it's time to go. It's a clear reference to the end of summer and the coming of winter. However, the singer is thinking of maybe staying because they don't want to face the reality that summer is gone. The second verse talks about how it's finally sinking in that summer is gone, and the days simply begin and end. The singer reflects on how they live them all and then back again.
The final verse returns to the theme of old friends gone and the memories of yesterday. The singer dreams about the past, the laughter and the tears, and how we all live and then die. The song ends on a note of acceptance, that time passes and we must move on, but the memories will always remain.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer's gone
The season of summer has passed
Summer's gone away
Summer has come to an end and is no longer present
Gone away
Left and departed
With yesterday
Like yesterday, summer too has passed and is now over
Old friends have gone
Friends from the past are no longer present
They've gone their separate ways
They have moved on with their lives and are now on different paths
Our dreams hold on
Our hopes and aspirations still persist
For those who still have more to say
For those who still have things to accomplish and say
Gone like yesterday
Summer has ended just like yesterday has passed
The nights grow cold
The weather is getting colder as the season changes from summer to fall
It's time to go
The time has come to move on from summer and start a new chapter
I'm thinking maybe I'll just stay
They are thinking about staying where they are and not moving on to a new season in their life just yet
Another summer gone
It's another year where summer has come and gone
It's finally sinking in
The realization of summer ending is finally taking hold
One day begins
A new day starts
Another ends
Another has ended
I live them all and back again
They have gone through many days and experienced different seasons, both good and bad, and will continue to do so
I'm gonna sit and watch the waves
They will just take some time to relax and enjoy the scenery
We laugh, we cry
We experience both happy and sad moments throughout our lives
We live then die
We live our lives to the fullest and then eventually pass away
And dream about our yesterday
We reflect on past memories and experiences, and dream about reliving them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JON BON JOVI, JOSEPH THOMAS, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cynthiarowley719
Beautifully presented. Music is soulfull🎉❤😢
@stevenfrolich2621
An Emotional Experience; So Beautifully Done!
@michaellazzeri2069
You may find this hard to believe, but we were young once upon a time--------yes---------we really were. Full of excitement for then, & our futures. ------------MJL, 76 y/o
@johnrenaud2216
Hopefully this song wI'll be played at my memorial service if anybody shows up.
@michaellazzeri2069
1st time hearing this ---------i was overwhelmed with a wistful sadness for all the years gone by. in 2012 i was 65 heading to 66 y/o. Now, a decade later, as i approach 77, it hits me even more. We are all old now. All of us. ---------I recently watched ; " Woodstock, 3 Days Of Peace & Music", & as i did, I kept wondering just how many from that event are still here. The young couple so perfectly interviewed, all the people who performed -------how many are still here ? How have their lives changed, especially that young couple who spoke so knowingly ? -------I cannot help but wonder. The music of The Boys, will forever be, The Sound Of Endless Summer. Even when, " Summer's Gone " .------------------MJL, 76 y/o
@Kcthedog59
One of my favorite Beach Boys tunes. Possibly because I am in my later years of life and more and more nostalgic. This song immediately brings to mind my past friends who I shared my summers with as a teen and listening to Beach Boys at the lake...just floating and laughing, our at our buddy's pool all day, again with Beach Boys music playing. It also reminds me of the few summers I have left, but so Happy where I am in life. I just sang California Girls with my band last night.
@BobBarry4
Thanks for your comments, Michael!
@csisalesbasics673
Beautiful. Regardless of your age or preferences in music, if this doesn't touch your heart and inspire your emotions, then sadly nothing will. Amazing song by the BBs
@christiandigennaro9436
Summer go away...but the magic of The Beach Boys will remain forever....
@pyro273
Yes it will, there are some songs of BB I don't like , and there are some I really enjoy, this is one of them.