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
Surfin' Safari
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
Come on and safari with
Early in the morning we'll be startin' out
Some honeys will be bake in the scene
I loaded up my Woody with our boards on top
Come on (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Come along (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)
At Huntington and Malibu
They're shooting the pier
At Rincon they're walking the nose
We're going on safari to the islands this year
So if you're coming get ready to go (we're gonna go)
Come on (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Come along (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)
Well, surfin' is big in Sunset-Beach
They do it in South Africa too
They all getting stoked on the surfin' craves
From Hawaii to the shores of Perus (go down let's come)
Come on (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Come along (surfin') baby wait and see (surfin' safari)
Yes I'm gonna (surfin') take you surfin' (surfin' safari) with me
Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learning how
Come on and safari with me
(Come on and safari with)
Surfin' safari
The lyrics to The Beach Boys' song Surfin' Safari describe the excitement of the surfing culture in California during the early 1960s. The first verse sets the scene for a day of adventure: "Early in the morning we'll be startin' out. Some honeys will be bakin' in the sun. We're gonna take our woody and surfboard and head out. Sing it with me!" The chorus invites listeners to join in on the fun: “Let's go surfing now, everybody's learning how. Come on and safari with me.”
The song also references specific surfing locations, such as Huntington, Malibu, Rincon, and even international destinations like South Africa and Peru. The lyrics make it clear that surfing is not just a hobby but a way of life: "Well, surfin' is the only way to fly. And surfing's gonna take over the world."
Overall, the lyrics of "Surfin' Safari" celebrate the freedom and joy that comes with riding the waves and being a part of the surfing community.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go surfin' now
It's time to hit the waves and go surfing
Everybody's learning how
Everyone's catching on to the surfing craze
Come on and safari with me
Join me on a surfing adventure
Early in the morning we'll be startin' out
We'll be hitting the beach early in the morning
Some honeys will be bakin' in the scene
Some girls will be sunbathing on the beach
I loaded up my woody with our boards on top
I packed my station wagon with our surfboards on top
And I put on a faded blue jeans ('cause we are)
I'm changing into some comfortable clothes before we hit the waves
At Huntington and Malibu, they're shooting the pier
Huntington Beach and Malibu are famous spots for surfing through a pier
At Rincon, they're walking the nose
At Rincon Beach, surfers are showing off their skills by walking to the tip of their boards
We're going on safari to the islands this year
Our surfing adventure is taking us to some distant islands this year
So, if you're coming, get ready to go (we're gonna go)
If you're joining us, get ready for some serious surfing (we're excited to go)
Well, surfin' is big in Sunset-Beach
Sunset Beach is known for its popular surfing scene
They do it in South Africa too
Surfing is also a popular activity in South Africa
They're all getting stoked on the surfing craze
People all over the world are getting excited about surfing
From Hawaii to the shores of Peru, we'll come
Surfing is enjoyed from Hawaii to Peru, and we plan to explore it all
Surfin' safari
Our adventure will take us on a surfing safari around the world
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson, Michael E. Love
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Kokomo
This song is an absolute classic and I love the way that it lists all the major destinations in the Caribbean.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfin' U.S.A.
A great song by The Beach Boys hit all the major surfing destinations.
Philip Kassabian
on Catch a Wave
This song really gets you in the mood for surfing.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfer Girl
What a splendid song by The Beach Boys. They really were a great band.
Philip Kassabian
on Wouldn't It Be Nice
One of the greatest Beach Boys songs.
Les lumb
on Surf's Up
Love Good Vibrations ,God Only Knows however this is my fav Beach Boys song
Les lumb
on San Miguel
It captures the mood of the place, very atmospheric
Les lumb
on Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) [Single Version]
Great version by the Beach Boys it flows
Les lumb
on Break Away
Soothing
Leslie Lumb
on Break Away
Love the opening verses beautiful words