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
Things We Did Last Summer
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The moonlight on the lake
The way we danced and hummed our favorite songs
The things we did last summer
I'll remember all winter long
The midway and the fun
The bell I rang to prove that I was strong
The things we did last summer
I'll remember all winter long
The early morning hike, the rented Tandem bike
The lunches that we used to pack
We never could explain that sudden summer rain
The looks we got when we got back
The leaves began to fade
Like promises we made
How could a love that seemed so right go wrong?
The things we did last summer
I'll remember all winter long
The Beach Boys's song "Things We Did Last Summer" is a nostalgic and sentimental poem about the memories created during a summer love affair. The first verse reminisces about romantic boat rides under the moonlight, dancing to favorite songs, and the Cupie dolls and bell won at a fun-filled carnival. The second verse mentions a morning hike, rented Tandem bike, picnic lunches, and unexpected summer rain that left them looking wet and disheveled.
The song takes a somber turn in the final verse, where the leaves begin to fade, and promises made during that summer love start to die. The memories once cherished now cause deep pain and longing. The lines, "How could a love that seemed so right go wrong? The things we did last summer, I'll remember all winter long," convey how the singer will hold onto the cherished memories, despite the sorrow they now bring.
In summary, the song encapsulates the universal experience of holding onto the memories of a magical summer love affair that has now ended.
Line by Line Meaning
The boat rides we would take
Reminiscing about the leisurely boat rides they used to take during the summer.
The moonlight on the lake
Recalling the dazzling moonlight reflecting on the lake during their boat rides.
The way we danced and hummed our favorite songs
Remembering the fun they had dancing and singing their favorite songs together.
The things we did last summer
Referring to all the fond memories they made during the previous summer season.
I'll remember all winter long
Determined to cherish these memories all throughout the colder months of the year.
The midway and the fun
Reflecting on the exciting midway games they played during the summer fair.
The Cupie dolls we won
Musing over the cute and simple trinkets they won from the games at the fair.
The bell I rang to prove that I was strong
Recalling the pride they felt in ringing the bell to show off their strength at the fair.
The early morning hike, the rented Tandem bike
Thinking back to the early morning adventures they had, such as hiking or riding tandem bikes.
The lunches that we used to pack
Remembering the simple and delicious lunches they packed for their summer outings.
We never could explain that sudden summer rain
Reflecting on the unexpected summer rain that they were caught in and couldn't quite understand.
The looks we got when we got back
Remembering the peculiar looks they received from others when they returned home from their summer excursions.
The leaves began to fade
Noticing how the leaves began to change and fall as summer came to an end.
Like promises we made
Comparing the fading leaves to the unfulfilled promises they made to each other during the summer season.
How could a love that seemed so right go wrong?
Reflecting on how their once-perfect relationship could have gone so wrong, despite all the happy memories they made together.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN
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