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
Their Hearts Were Full of Spring
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the girl who wore his ring
Through the wintery snow
The world they knew was one
For their hearts were full of spring
As the days grew old
And the nights passed into time
Gentle boy, tender girl
Their love remained still young
For their hearts were full of spring
Then one day they died
And their graves were side by side
On a hill where robins sing
And they say violets
Grow there the whole year round
For their hearts were full of spring
The Beach Boys's "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring" is a haunting and poignant tribute to two lovers whose bond was unbreakable despite the passage of time and eventual death. The song starts with a story of a young man who was known for his gentle demeanor and his romantic involvement with a girl who wore his engagement ring. The world around them was cold and bleak with the winter snow, but they held a bright and warm hope in their hearts that was unspoiled by the dreariness of the weather or the harshness of reality. For them, everything was beautiful because they were in love, and love made everything magical.
As time marched on, the couple aged and became old, but their love remained vibrant and fresh. They were still deeply in love and their hearts were still overflowing with the joy, hope, and passion of the spring. Even though death eventually claimed them, their legacy of love lived on. They were buried side by side on a hill where robins sang, and violets grew year-round, a testament to the enduring power of love and the unfading beauty of love that was pure and true.
The song's message is one of hope and the belief that true love is capable of defying death and transcending time. It's a reminder that love is not temporary, but rather it's a state of being that survives beyond the physical realm. The Beach Boys paint a beautiful portrait of love that's not just a fleeting emotion but rather a timeless presence that can outlast even the greatest of trials, including death itself.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a story told of a very gentle boy
This song is based on a tale of a boy who was known for his kind and gentle nature.
And the girl who wore his ring
The boy was in love with a girl and gave her a ring as a symbol of their love.
Through the wintery snow
Despite the cold and gloomy winter weather, they remained hopeful and optimistic about their future together.
The world they knew was one
They felt like they were the only two people in the world and nothing else mattered.
For their hearts were full of spring
Their hearts were filled with love, joy, and hope - just like how spring brings new life and renewal after the winter.
As the days grew old
As time passed by.
And the nights passed into time
As their lives went on, day turned into night and night turned into day, and time continued to move forward.
And the weeks and years took wind
Years went by in the blink of an eye, just like how the wind blows swiftly by.
Gentle boy, tender girl
They were both gentle and tender-hearted people who deeply loved each other.
Their love remained still young
Their love didn't fade away with age, but remained vibrant and youthful even in their old age.
For their hearts were full of spring
Despite growing older, they still felt the same love, joy, and hope in their hearts that they did when they first fell in love - just like spring.
Then one day they died
Eventually, they passed away.
And their graves were side by side
They were buried next to each other.
On a hill where robins sing
The place where they were buried was a peaceful and beautiful one, where birds sang and nature thrived.
And they say violets
It is said that violets,
Grow there the whole year round
continue to bloom all year round, because the love the couple shared was so strong and enduring, just like the flowers.
For their hearts were full of spring
Their love and spirits continued to thrive even in death, just like the renewal of spring.
Lyrics © MUSIC ASSET MANAGEMENT (MAM)
Written by: BOBBY TROUP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
APauls
Even with half a voice Brian blows everyone out of the water with his passion and genuine nature
Neal Toglia
I still listen to them nearly everyday. One of the best groups ever. No one could do what they did. Writing and voices unparalleled. Still my favorite.
Harold Bailey
The greatest. If you haven’t listened yet, you should check out the “Sail On Podcast”. Start from episode 1. If you’re a super fan, you’ll LOVE IT
Hans Brink
I´ve been singing for 45 years now..But this is what i always will put at the top of my list.. The Beachboys are No. 1 and Mr Brian Wilson is the supreme commander of the singing world!
MAGNETO
Totally agree!
Fred Dula
👍👍👍
Fernando Gonzalez
I love the way Brian and Mike put their hands delicately on their friends shoulders. What a band!
Splitting Atoms
Brian Wilson is an American Icon a treasure of American song writing. What an angelic performance.
Tony Ginnetti
Of course, this classic piece was written by jazz pianist, singer/songwriter and actor Bobby Troup!
Howard Barnett
No rock band has ever sung as well as The Beach Boys. Live performance here.