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

Take a Load Off Your Feet
The Beach Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I do them when I'm down in the tub
With avocado cream they'll take a rub
They wrinkle like a-raisins if I stay too long
I wouldn't want to do it wrong

They'll put you in the driver's seat
And to the table when you want to eat
But when you go to sit down in your chair

Something else has got to put you there

Take good care of your feet, Pete
You better watch out what you eat, Pete
Better take care of your life
'Cause nobody else will

They'll twinkle when you fall in love
And put you there when you jump up above
When you're on the spot, get them right under you
One, then the other too

If you want to do the right thing for them
Just take a walk in the grass
But don't you catch yourself fallin'
Or steppin' on a piece of glass
(Ouch glass)
Pete knows all the treacherous blows
The fallen arches and the cramp in the toes
He went to H. E. L. P. and got some sandals new
And dusty old saunas too

Take a load of your feet Pete
You better watch out what you eat
Better take care of your life
'Cause nobody else will

Do do do do do do do do do do

Do do do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do do do

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys's song Take a Load Off Your Feet discusses the importance of taking care of our feet. The first verse describes the ritual of soaking feet in avocado cream, a recognized way to pamper and moisturize them. However, it warns of the risk of overdoing it, as extended periods of soaking can cause skin wrinkling. The following verse teaches that when we have healthy feet, we have better control of our lives. They can lead us towards success and provide us with physical support, ("They'll put you in the driver's seat, And to the table when you want to eat. But when you go to sit down in your chair, Something else has got to put you there.")

The chorus urges the listener to take care of their health and by extension, their feet. The second verse emphasizes the importance of having healthy feet in romantic relationships, as they connect us to the ground, for stability ("They'll twinkle when you fall in love, And put you there when you jump up above. When you're on the spot, get them right under you, One, then the other too.") The third verse advises the listener to take care of their feet, even if it means sacrificing certain things, such as indulgent food.

In conclusion, The Beach Boys's song Take a Load Off Your Feet provides an insightful lesson on the significance of foot care (and health in general). It teaches us that by only taking care of ourselves correctly, we can achieve success in life, especially in our relationships, and stay healthy.

Line by Line Meaning

I do them when I'm down in the tub
I take care of my feet when I'm relaxing in the bathtub

With avocado cream they'll take a rub
I apply avocado cream to my feet for a nice massage

They wrinkle like a-raisins if I stay too long
If I soak my feet for too long, they'll become wrinkly and prune-like

I wouldn't want to do it wrong
I want to take care of my feet properly

They'll put you in the driver's seat
Healthy feet will empower you to take control of your life

And to the table when you want to eat
You need healthy feet to move around and eat comfortably

But when you go to sit down in your chair
Despite being able to stand up and move around, you still need a chair to sit comfortably

Something else has got to put you there
Your legs and feet won't work when you're trying to sit down

Take good care of your feet, Pete
It's important to take care of your feet, Pete

You better watch out what you eat, Pete
Be mindful of what you eat, Pete, as it can affect your overall health including your feet

Better take care of your life
Your life and well-being are your responsibility, and taking care of your feet is a part of that

'Cause nobody else will
It's up to you to take care of your life

They'll twinkle when you fall in love
When you're happy and in love, your feet can feel light and comfortable

And put you there when you jump up above
Your feet help propel you upwards when you jump

When you're on the spot, get them right under you
Your feet need to be positioned correctly when you're performing something that requires balance or precision

One, then the other too
Both feet are equally important and should be taken care of properly

If you want to do the right thing for them
If you want to take care of your feet properly

Just take a walk in the grass
Taking a walk in nature, like a grassy field, is a simple way to promote foot health

But don't you catch yourself fallin'
Be careful not to trip or fall

Or steppin' on a piece of glass (Ouch glass)
Be mindful of sharp objects, like glass, that can injure your feet

Pete knows all the treacherous blows
Pete has experienced foot injuries before

The fallen arches and the cramp in the toes
Pete has specifically experienced fallen arches and toe cramps

He went to H. E. L. P. and got some sandals new
Pete sought professional help for his foot issues and got new sandals

And dusty old saunas too
He also got some old saunas

Take a load of your feet Pete
Take some weight off your feet, Pete

You better watch out what you eat
Be mindful of what you eat, Pete, as it can affect your overall health including your feet

Better take care of your life
Your life and well-being are your responsibility, and taking care of your feet is a part of that