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 Same Song
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gregorian chants were a real big thing
They took that chant and added harmony
It was a different sound
But had the same meaning
I know (I know) I know (I know)
It took us a long while
And find us a rock style
I know (I know) I know (I know)
That we can take it one more mile
Because
We're singing that same song
We're still singing that same song
We're singing that same song
That same song
That same song
The rock of ages
Built that rockin' sound
'Til more and more people start to come around
They worshipped in church
And built that great big choir
It grew and it grew
Until it spread like fire
I know (I know) I know (I know)
It took us a long while
To go (to go) to go (to go)
And find us a rock style
I know (I know) I know (I know)
That we can take it one more mile
Because
We're singing that same song
We're still singing that same song
We're singing that same song
That same song
That same song
Same song
Oh yeah
Same song
Oh yeah
Same song that same song
Same song
Oh yeah
Same song
Oh yeah
Same song that same song
The Beach Boys' song "That Same Song" is a tribute to the evolution of music and how it has undergone different changes throughout history while still maintaining its essence. The first verse talks about the Gregorian chants and how they were a really big deal in the past. These chants served as the basis for the complex chant of the Catholic Church and played a significant role in early Western music. However, with time, people added harmony to the chants, and it resulted in a different sound but the same original meaning.
The second verse refers to the development of rock music, which took a while to come into existence. The rock of ages laid the foundation for the rock sound, which gained popularity as more and more people began to appreciate it. As rock music grew in impact, it became powerful, and more people joined in, creating great choirs that rocked and grew like fire, spreading its impact all over the world. However, the essence of music prevailed despite different tunes and melodies, as people kept singing the same song.
The song is a reflection of the universality and timelessness of music. No matter how much the style may evolve and change, the message and feelings carried in the form of music remains universal and unchanging. Music touches people's hearts and souls, and as long as it manages to do so, it will continue to remain the same regardless of ever-changing trends.
Line by Line Meaning
Well back in time with just a rhythm and rhyme
In the past, people used simple sounds and words to create music.
Gregorian chants were a real big thing
The Gregorian chant was a popular form of music.
They took that chant and added harmony
They improved the chant by adding more complexity to the music.
It was a different sound
The new sound was not like anything heard before.
But had the same meaning
Even though the sound was different, the message was still the same.
I know (I know) I know (I know)
I am aware of the fact that
It took us a long while
It took us a lot of time and effort.
To go (to go) to go (to go)
To develop, to grow, to progress.
And find us a rock style
And to discover a new form of music, rock and roll.
That we can take it one more mile
That we can push ourselves to do even better.
Because
The reason is that
We're singing that same song
We are continuing to create and perform music that has the same message as music from the past.
We're still singing that same song
We are not giving up on our music and continuing to make the same type of music.
The rock of ages
The foundation of rock and roll music.
Built that rockin' sound
The rock of ages helped create the sound of rock and roll music.
Til more and more people start to come around
Until more and more people started to listen and appreciate it.
They worshipped in church
People found joy and spiritual fulfillment in rock and roll music like they did in church music.
And built that great big choir
And they worked together to create a large community of rock and roll fans.
It grew and it grew
The community of rock and roll lovers became bigger.
Until it spread like fire
Until the popularity of rock and roll music grew quickly.
Same song
The same type of music.
Oh yeah
An exclamation of enthusiasm.
Same song that same song
Continuing to create and perform the same type of music.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON, MICHAEL EDWARD LOVE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam Schwarz
Brian's dancing at 2:43 is possibly the greatest thing ever.
Vlae Kershner
Yeah, how often do you see Brian looking happy?
michael waverider
Check out Brian singing Runaway in Seattle with Alan Jardine, he dances there too!!!
1401minstrel
I agree!
Lo J
A cinnamon roll
Theresa Pisa
@michael waverider Thank You
Bgb Strm
The most versatile band ever! Rock, pop, ballads, r&r, blues, jazz, symphonies, country, folk, disco, gospel, waltzes, latin, children's songs, hymns, surf, psychedelia, soul, r&b, you name it... I absolutely looove this! Awesome!
Truth Transistor Radio
Punk, new wave and rap as well!
monkeytrousers
Billy Hinsche in the choir is pretty damn funny. Hilarious actually. I love this version - should be released (on CD that is). Brian's really into it.
Judy Reyes
good eye. One of these things is not like the other? I just thought it was the random person who likes to join black churches.