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
That's Not Me
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that's not me
I wanted to show how independent I'd grown now
But that's not me
I could try to be big in the eyes of the world
What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl
'Cause I haven't been home in a long time
You needed my love
And I know that I left at the wrong time
My folks when I wrote them
Told 'em what I was up to said that's not me
I went through all kinds of changes
Took a look at myself and said that's not me
I miss my pad and the places I've known
And every night as I lay there alone I will dream
I once had a dream
So I packed up and split for the city
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
I'm glad I went now I'm that much more sure that we're ready
I once had a dream
So I packed up and split for the city
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
I once had a dream
So I packed up and split for the city
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
The Beach Boys' song That's Not Me contains lyrics that suggest the struggle of trying to fit in with society's expectations versus staying true to oneself. The opening lines, "Had to prove that I could make it alone, but that's not me" express the internal conflict of individuals trying to prove their independence, despite feeling disconnected from their authentic identity. The singer seems to have matured and grown independent; however, they feel conflicted, realizing that the life they had dreamt of didn't turn out as expected. They miss their past life and feel alone with their struggles.
The lyrics also hint at the idea of escapism, running away from problems instead of facing them. The idea is conveyed in lines such as "So I packed up and split for the city, I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty." The singer's dream of a better life made them leave everything they knew behind, only to realize that the grass wasn't greener on the other side. It's a universal theme and an excellent reminder that our grass does not have to be greener for us to be content. Sometimes, finding contentment requires looking inside ourselves instead of external sources.
Line by Line Meaning
Had to prove that I could make it alone
I felt like I needed to demonstrate that I was capable of independence.
But that's not me
However, that isn't who I really am deep down.
I wanted to show how independent I'd grown now
I desired to present my newfound sense of independence.
I could try to be big in the eyes of the world
I could attempt to become a significant figure in society's eyes.
What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl
However, what truly matters to me is the impact I have on one special person.
I'm a little bit scared
To be honest, I'm slightly frightened.
'Cause I haven't been home in a long time
It's likely because I haven't returned home in quite some time.
You needed my love
I realize now that my love was necessary for you.
And I know that I left at the wrong time
However, I admit that I probably departed when it wasn't the ideal moment.
My folks when I wrote them
When I informed my parents of my plans,
Told 'em what I was up to said that's not me
they expressed that what I was doing didn't reflect who I truly am.
I went through all kinds of changes
I underwent various alterations.
Took a look at myself and said that's not me
However, after self-reflection, I realized that those modifications weren't consistent with who I am.
I miss my pad and the places I've known
I miss my familiar surroundings, like my home and other familiar locations.
And every night as I lay there alone I will dream
Nightly, I am alone with my thoughts and my aspirations.
I once had a dream
At one time, I held a significant dream.
So I packed up and split for the city
I then decided to leave and pursue that dream in the city.
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
However, in realizing this dream, I realized that being on my own wasn't everything it was cracked up to be.
I'm glad I went now I'm that much more sure that we're ready
Having accomplished this, I'm now more confident that we can handle what's to come together.
I once had a dream
Again, at one point in my life, I had a significant vision of what I could become.
So I packed up and split for the city
So, taking a risk, I left the comfort of what I knew to pursue that dream.
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
However, in exploring that dream, I realized that being by oneself can sometimes be difficult to handle.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson, Tony Asher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cal
I had to prove that I could make it alone
But that's not me
I wanted to show how independent I'd grown now
But that's not me
I could try to be big in the eyes of the world
What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl
I'm a little bit scared
Cause I haven't been home in a long time
You needed my love
And I know that I left at the wrong time
My folks when I wrote them
Told 'em what I was up to said that's not me
I went through all kinds of changes
Took a look at myself and said that's not me
I miss my pad and the places I've known
And every night as I lay there alone I will dream
I once had a dream
So I packed up and split for the city
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
I'm glad I went now I'm that much more sure that we're ready
I once had a dream
So I packed up and split for the city
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
I once had a dream so I packed up and split for the city
I soon found out that my lonely life wasn't so pretty
iamjames
This song feels like it's been made just for you, just about you. It's so amazing. Top 10 all time.
Jose Menendez
This song reminds me of a time after I had been discharged from the military. I went back home but I wasn't at ease, everything had changed and my father was still trying to treat me like I was his kid. I went back to where I had been stationed which was Anchorage Alaska. It was a year and a half later and that too had changed. I moved on a light budget so I used public transportation. One winter Saturday I took the bus to go see a movie. The bus stop was about a half a mile away from the mall where the theater was located. As I was walking in near zero degree temperatures after a free snowfall which was half up to my knees a car passed. It was a girl who had liked me 3 years before, she was with her new boyfriend, her fiance I later found out. It made me sad thinking that all this time later I was alone, walking in the bitter cold and snowe, alone, to see a movie, alone, with no one to see or call. I later realized, you can't go and revist the past, it no longer exists, you have to move forward.
MaxV008
this songs reminds of lama
Damien Butler
Leaving the military sucks. Life in the civilian world keeps moving on but we aren't there to see it. It's like an alien landscape once we leave. You might be feel alone but there are thousands of others who feel the same way. Take care.
ZepTepi
Jesus man
A Banana 2
Thank you for this story, I hope I dont lose time
Dan Eck
Thank you for your service !
Blue Geen
The first time I was ever getting into pet sounds... this was the song that really spoke to me. I will always have such a deep affection for this song...
MeloLand
Pet sounds = masterpiece!
LameStudiosInc
If masterpiece means overrated then yeah.